Patrick Carman is a bestselling children's and young adult author known for his innovative storytelling and cross-platform narratives. With over four million books in print, his notable works include "The Land of Elyon," "Atherton," "Elliot’s Park," "39 Clues," and the groundbreaking "Skeleton Creek" series. His books, published by Scholastic, Little Brown Books for Young Readers, and HarperCollins, have been translated into 26 languages. Carman's ability to blend traditional storytelling with multimedia elements has earned him widespread recognition, particularly for "Skeleton Creek," which combines written narrative with online video content.
Carman's career spans diverse creative fields, including advertising, game design, and technology, which influence his unique approach to children's literature. After graduating from Willamette University in Salem, Oregon, he spent a decade in Portland honing these skills before transitioning to full-time writing. His works often explore adventure, mystery, and fantasy themes, appealing to reluctant readers through engaging formats. The "Skeleton Creek" series exemplifies this approach, having been nominated for multiple awards, including the Nevada Young Readers’ Award and Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice Awards.
Beyond writing, Carman is deeply committed to literacy advocacy, having conducted over 2,500 school visits since 2003 to promote reading among young audiences. In 2019, he expanded these efforts through Gokidgo, a platform for broader educational outreach. When not writing or touring schools, he enjoys outdoor activities, puzzles, and spending time with his family. Carman continues to develop new projects, including multimedia initiatives like "Dark Eden," further cementing his reputation as a pioneer in interactive storytelling for young readers.
Skeleton Creek Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Skeleton Creek
2009
2
Ghost in the Machine
2009
3
The Crossbones
2010
4
The Raven
2011
5
The Phantom Room
2014
6
Skeleton Creek is Real: The Shocking Truth Revealed
2014
7
Seven Secret Stories
2023
Atherton Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The House of Power
2005
2
Rivers of Fire
2008
3
The Dark Planet
2009
Bonkers Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Terror in Jenny’s Armpit
2024
2
Attack of the Forty-Foot Chicken
2024
3
Escape from the Dungeons of Snerbville
2024
Dark Eden Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Dark Eden
2011
2
Phantom File
2012
3
Eve of Destruction
2012
Elliot's Park Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Saving Mr Nibbles
2008
2
Haunted Hike
2008
3
Walnut Cup
2011
Fizzopolis Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Trouble with Fuzzwonker Fizz
2016
2
Floozombies!
2016
3
Snoodles!
2017
Floors Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Floors
2011
2
3 Below
2012
3
The Field of Wacky Inventions
2013
Pulse Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Pulse
2013
2
Tremor
2014
3
Quake
2015
The 39 Clues Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Maze of Bones ( By: Rick Riordan)
2008
2
One False Note ( By: Gordon Korman)
2008
3
The Sword Thief ( By: Peter Lerangis)
2009
4
Beyond the Grave (By: Jude Watson)
2009
5
The Black Circle
2009
6
In Too Deep (By: Jude Watson)
2009
7
The Viper's Nest ( By: Peter Lerangis)
2010
8
The 39 Clues: Agent Handbook (By: Scholastic Inc.)
2010
9
The Emperor's Code ( By: Gordon Korman)
2010
10
Storm Warning ( By: Linda Sue Park)
2010
11
Into the Gauntlet ( By: Margaret Peterson Haddix)
2010
12
Vespers Rising (By: Jude Watson)
2011
13
The Black Book of Buried Secrets (Companion Book) (By: Rick Riordan)
2012
14
Midnight Ride (By: Clifford Riley)
2013
The Land of Elyon Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
The Dark Hills Divide
2003
2
Beyond the Valley of Thorns
2005
3
The Tenth City
2006
4
Into the Mist
2007
5
Stargazer
2008
Trackers Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
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1
Trackers
2010
2
Shantorian
2011
Voyagers Books
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Project Alpha (By: D.J. MacHale)
2015
2
Game of Flames (By: Robin Wasserman)
2015
3
Omega Rising
2016
4
Voyagers: Infinity Riders (By: Kekla Magoon)
2016
5
Voyagers: Escape the Vortex (By: Jeanne DuPrau)
2016
6
The Seventh Element (By: Wendy Mass)
2016
Standalone Novels
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Thirteen Days to Midnight
2010
2
Things That Go Bump in the Night
2011
3
Ghost Vision Glasses
2011
4
Mr. Gedrick and Me
2017
5
Towervale
2019
6
The Claw
2019
7
Balls
2020
8
You're Next
2020
9
The Inventors
2021
Patrick Carman Anthologies
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Title
Year
Goodreads
Amazon
1
Writer in the Library: 41 Writers Reveal How They Use Libraries to Develop Their Skill, Craft & Careers