Louis Sachar, pronounced "Sacker," is an acclaimed American author of children's books, born on March 20, 1954, in East Meadow, New York. Sachar's family lived in New York until he was in the third grade, when they moved to Tustin, California. It was during his time in Tustin that Sachar discovered his passion for storytelling, which would later develop into a successful career as a children's book author.
After graduating from the University of California at Berkeley in 1976 with a degree in economics, Sachar worked at a sweater warehouse during the day and wrote at night. His experience at the sweater warehouse served as inspiration for his first book, "Sideways Stories from Wayside School," which was published in 1978. Despite being fired from his job at the sweater warehouse, Sachar decided to pursue a law degree and attended Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. It was while he was in law school that his first book was published, and he continued to write children's books part-time while practicing law.
Sachar's wife, Carla, served as the inspiration for the counselor in his book "There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom." They were married in 1985, and their daughter, Sherre, was born in 1987. Sachar's work has gained widespread recognition and acclaim, with his book "Holes" becoming an instant classic and adapted into a film starring Sigourney Weaver in 2000. The book was his first to be published in the UK and continues to be popular among younger readers.
When Sachar begins writing a new book, he refuses to talk to anyone until it is finished, and entry to his office is barred, apart from his two dogs. His latest book, "The Cardturner," was published in 2010. Sachar's ability to create engaging and relatable characters and storylines has made him a beloved author in the children's literature genre. His contributions to the field have solidified his place as a respected and celebrated author.