Robert Newton Peck is an American author best known for his young adult novels, including the critically acclaimed "A Day No Pigs Would Die" and the humorous "Soup" series. With over sixty-five published works spanning fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and songs, Peck has established himself as a versatile writer whose stories often draw from his rural upbringing in Vermont. His debut novel, "A Day No Pigs Would Die," published in 1972 when he was 44, remains a staple in young adult literature for its poignant portrayal of farm life and coming of age. The "Soup" series earned him the 1982 Mark Twain Award for its lighthearted depiction of childhood mischief in a small Vermont town.
Peck's writing reflects his diverse life experiences, from his interrupted education due to World War II service as a machine-gunner in the U.S. Army to his later careers as a lumberjack and marketing executive. Many of his historical novels, such as "Fawn," "Hang for Treason," and "The King's Iron," center around Fort Ticonderoga, showcasing his interest in regional history. After leaving corporate life, he devoted himself fully to writing, eventually settling in Longwood, Florida, where he served as director of the Rollins College Writers Conference.
An engaging speaker and performer, Peck often visited schools to promote literacy, combining his passions for storytelling, ragtime piano, and barbershop quartet singing. Despite battling oral cancer in 1993, he continued writing and connecting with readers. His works remain celebrated for their authenticity, humor, and ability to capture the complexities of youth and rural American life.