Alan

Gratz

#1 New York Times Bestselling Author

Thrillers for Young Readers

Travels from: Portland, OR

“This dude does his history homework and then hides it in a total page-turner.” — Tablet Magazine

Alan Gratz is the bestselling author of nineteen novels and graphic novels for young readers. His 2017 novel Refugee has spent more than three years on the New York Times bestseller list, and is the winner of 14 state awards. Its other accolades include the Sydney Taylor Book Award, the National Jewish Book Award, the Cybils Middle Grade Fiction Award, a Charlotte Huck Award Honor, and a Malka Penn Award for Human Rights Honor. Refugee was also a Global Read Aloud Book for 2018 and has spent more than four years on the NYT list.

Alan’s 2022 novel Two Degrees and his 2021 novel Ground Zero were both instant #1 New York Times bestsellers, and were also ABA Indie, USA Today, and Publishers Weekly bestsellers. His 2019 novel Allies debuted at #2 on the New York Times bestseller list and received four starred reviews, and 2018’s Grenade debuted at #3. His other books include Prisoner B-3087, which was a YALSA Best Fiction for Young Readers pick and winner of eight state awards; Projekt 1065, a Kirkus Best Middle Grade Book of 2016 and winner of five state awards; Code of Honor, a YALSA Quick Pick for Young Readers; and Ban This Book, which was featured by Whoopi Goldberg on The View.

Alan has traveled extensively to talk about his books, appearing at schools and book festivals in 39 states and a half-dozen countries, including Brazil, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, and Switzerland, and has been a Writer in Residence at Tokyo’s American School in Japan, the James Thurber House in Columbus, Ohio, and the Jakarta Intercultural School in Indonesia.

Alan was born and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, home of the 1982 World’s Fair. After a carefree but humid childhood, Alan attended the University of Tennessee, where he earned a College Scholars degree with a specialization in creative writing, and, later, a Master’s degree in English education. A member of the East Tennessee Writers Hall of Fame, Alan now lives with his wife Wendi and his daughter Jo in Asheville, North Carolina, where he enjoys playing games, eating pizza, and, perhaps not too surprisingly, reading books.

Alan's Featured Titles

Keynote: Social Thrillers (In-Person or Virtual)

Bestselling middle grade author Alan Gratz discusses the inspiration behind some of his books like Ground Zero, Two Degrees, and Refugee, and offers some deep thoughts about writing “social thrillers” for young readers. The remaining time will be spent answering audience questions.

Keynote: The Sequel is You (In-Person or Virtual)

How do we change the world? How do we not only help the people who need it most, but change the hearts and minds of those people who aren’t helping—or worse, who are actively working against us? The answer, Alan believes, is in books. In this talk he’ll give examples of how his books and others have inspired empathy, compassion, and activism in readers young and old, past and present. The remaining time will be spent answering audience questions.

School, Library, and Reading Conferences: Black, White, and Read All Over (In-Person or Virtual)

In this breakout session, bestselling middle grade author Alan Gratz discusses the inspiration behind some of his recent “Black, White, and Red” books, like Ground Zero, Two Degrees, Refugee, and Captain America: The Ghost Army. The remaining time will be spent answering audience questions.

Writers Conferences: What's Your Origin Story? (In-Person or Virtual)

What do Spider-man, Batman, an Iron Man all have in common? Besides having “Man” for a last name, they all have compelling origin stories. In this talk for both novice and experienced writers, Alan discusses the ways that origin stories explain who our characters are and why they do the things they do. Alan demonstrates how to create powerful backstories for the characters we’re writing, and along the way challenges his audience to create origin stories for themselves as writers–even if they have to do a little “retconning” along the way. The remaining time will be spent answering audience questions.

The Hero's Journey (In-Person or Virtual)

From the Ramayana to Star Wars and beyond, “The Hero’s Journey” is a universal story structure that can be found in many of the world’s most lasting and entertaining stories. Alan pulls back the curtain on this hidden framework underlying much of western storytelling, and explains how you can use the Hero’s Journey to strengthen your own writing. The remaining time will be spent answering audience questions.

In-Person School Visits

Sorry, Alan is unavailable for in-person school visits.

Literary and Book Festivals (In-Person or Virtual)

Alan loves appearing on panels, in conversation, and solo at literary festivals and book festivals, as well as signing books for festival-goers.

One Book, One Community Events: (In-Person or Virtual)

Reading one of Alan’s books as the featured title in a One Book, One School or One Book, One Community event? Put an exclamation mark on your community event by having Alan visit at the end to answer questions, sign books, and talk about his inspiration, research, and writing process for the novel! Alan can also record an intro video for your One Book event, introducing the book to your audience and getting them hyped up for the community read.
Alan has specific book talks prepared for Two Degrees, Ground Zero, Allies, Ban This Book, and Refugee. If you’re interested in a visit associated with a book not in the list, ask about availability.

Specific Book Talks (In-Person or Virtual)

Alan is also available to give book talks on selected novels like Refugee, Ban This Book, Allies, Ground Zero, and Two Degrees. Each of these presentations runs 20-25 minutes, and covers Alan’s inspiration for the book, a general introduction to the story, and the novel’s historical or contemporary context. The remaining time will be spent answering audience questions.

Master of Ceremonies (In-Person or Virtual)

Looking for a host for your special event? Alan enjoys playing emcee! For many years, he and his wife ran a local, weekly pub trivia game, and he is very comfortable behind a mic. Alan can even write up a fun night of trivia for you, on literature or any other theme.

Captain America: The Ghost Army by Alan Gratz & Brent Schoonover

“His interactions with our participants were phenomenal! He provided a keynote session that our participants could relate to and be inspired by as they entered the 24-25 school year.” — ESC Region 11, 2024

“Alan Gratz was wonderful. I really enjoyed the insight to his writing process.” — ESC Region 11, 2024

“Alan Gratz is the man! He is an excellent speaker who obviously has a soft spot for school librarians. All grade levels loved him! Plus, he was so gracious during the book signing. He spent time with each person and engaged with them on a personal level. If you are hosting an event and need a speaker, Alan is your guy!” — Kentucky Association of School Librarians, 2024

“Alan Gratz is an inspiring author who ignites a passion for writing in both students and educators. His masterful storytelling, crafted through meticulous research and innovative design, is evident in every page. He recently shared his creative process with our educators, leaving them highly motivated to explore new approaches to writing instruction. Beyond his expertise, Alan is a genuinely warm and personable individual who connects with everyone he meets. It’s clear that his passion for writing extends directly to inspiring the next generation of young readers and writers.” — Tulare County Office of Education, 2024

“Alan is an engaging speaker. He knows his young audience well and presents to them in an entertaining way. In addition to a large crowd for his presentation, he had a long signing line during which he really took time to talk to everyone who came to meet him.” — Knox County Public Library, 2024

“Alan Gratz provided an incredible author day at our school. His presentations were educational and engaging and enjoyed by students and teachers alike. Several parents reported that their students came home wanting to be novelists! This celebration of books and reading by one of our school’s favorite authors was a highlight of the year!” — McCulloch Intermediate/Highland Park Middle School, 2024

“Gratz does his usual splendid job of creating the visceral drama of battle alongside fully realized characters. He handles the theme of heroism well, while not straying into the didactic, and is especially good at depicting the enduring friendship of the two boys as, together, they experience the date that will live in infamy.” — Booklist, starred review

“Gratz accomplishes a feat that is nothing short of brilliant, offering a skillfully wrought narrative laced with global and intergenerational reverberations that signal hope for the future… Poignant, respectful, and historically accurate while pulsating with emotional turmoil, adventure, and suspense.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“The pace is quick (don’t blink or you’ll miss something!), its emotions deeply authentic, and the highly visual settings resonate with accuracy. With a moving author’s note, pertinent back matter, and a surprise twist which brings the book full circle, Gratz delivers another winning read.” — Booklist, starred review

“Gratz’s deeply moving writing paints vivid images of the loss and fear of those who lived through the trauma of 9/11.” — Kirkus Reviews

“Both an excellent, inclusive narration of important historical events and a fast-paced, entertaining read.” — Kirkus Reviews, starred review

“A tautly paced and multifaceted portrait…This gripping novel offers memorable insights into the contributions and alliances of everyday people.” — Publishers Weekly, starred review

“Gratz, who is known for well-written and well-researched historical fiction, doesn’t disappoint. His latest is timely and moving… This compelling novel will help young people make sense of today’s refugee crisis. Meant to be read, discussed, and shared widely.” — School Library Journal

“With urgent, clear-eyed storytelling, Gratz’s Refugee compellingly explores the desperation and strength that unites those struggling for a place to call home.” — Eliot Schrefer, New York Times bestselling author and two-time National Book Award finalist of Rescued and Endangered

Alan’s Books

Alan’s Upcoming Events

Frequently Asked Questions

Alan’s Graphic Novels

Alan’s Media Kit

Alan’s Short Fiction Link

Honors, Awards & Recognition

New York Times bestseller
ABA Indie Bestseller
USA Today Bestseller
Junior Library Guild Selection
Barnes & Noble Best Book of the Year
Amazon Best Book of the Month
Amazon Best Book of the Year
Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
Kirkus Best Book of the Year
Texas Bluebonnet Master List selection
Golden Sower Award, 2014-2015 Winner Nebraska
Isinglass Teen Read Award, 2014-2015 Winner New Hampshire
Pennsylvania Young Readers’ Choice Award, 2014-2015 Winner
Junior Book Award, 2015-2016 Winner South Carolina
Grand Canyon Reader Award, 2015-2016 Winner Arizona
Truman Readers Award, 2015-2016 Winner Missouri
Reader’s Choice Awards, Winner 2015-2016 Virginia
Volunteer State Book Award Winner, 2015-2016 Tennessee