Richard Peck

Richard Peck, an award-winning young adult novelist, was born in Decatur, Illinois. He was surrounded by a large extended family, which included his mother who was one of seven siblings and his grandmother who had many sisters. His father, who owned an old gas station, also attracted a group of men who would gather and tell stories. These early experiences exposed Peck to a variety of storytellers and helped cultivate his love for storytelling. Additionally, he grew up next to a large park, where he spent much of his time exploring. This sense of place remained with him, as he went on to set most of his works in the Midwest.

Peck is best known for his prolific contributions to modern young adult literature. He has written over twenty novels and has received numerous awards for his work. In 2001, he won the Newbery Medal for his novel "A Year Down Yonder." For his cumulative contribution to young-adult literature, he received the Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association in 1990. He is also a versatile writer, beloved by middle graders and young adults for his mysteries and coming-of-age novels.

Peck now lives in New York City and spends a great deal of time traveling around the country attending speaking engagements at conferences, schools, and libraries. In addition to writing, he has won a number of major awards for the body of his work, including the Margaret A. Edwards Award from School Library Journal, the National Council of Teachers of English/ALAN Award, and the 1991 Medallion from the University of Southern Mississippi. He has also been recognized by the Mystery Writers of America, which twice gave him their Edgar Allan Poe Award. Dial Books for Young Readers is honored to have published some of his works such as "Lost in Cyberspace" and its sequel "The Great Interactive Dream Machine."