Wendelin Van Draanen's life has been deeply intertwined with books from a very early age. Her mother taught her to read, and she cherishes the memories of story time with her father, when she and her brothers would snuggle up around him and listen in awe as he brought stories to life.
Growing up, Van Draanen was a free-spirited tomboy who relished the thrill of adventure and spent most of her time exploring the great outdoors. However, it wasn't until she was an adult that she discovered her passion for writing. After experimenting with writing a screenplay about a family tragedy, she found the process to be incredibly cathartic and soon transitioned to writing novels for adults. It was during this time that she stumbled upon the joy of writing for children.
For Van Draanen, the most profound reward for her writing is the feedback she receives from her readers. She recalls one particularly moving encounter with a young girl who approached her and shared that her writing had changed her life. Van Draanen believes that this kind of impact is the ultimate validation of her work.
Throughout her writing career, Van Draanen has strived to convey a sense of empowerment to her readers, encouraging them to recognize that they have the ability to shape their own destiny. She emphasizes the importance of individuality, believing that it is a strength that can be harnessed to achieve greatness.
Van Draanen's first book was published in 1997, and since then, her titles have been consistently nominated for State Award Master Lists across the country. The Sammy Keyes Mysteries, in particular, have been nominated for the Edgar Allan Poe Award for Best Children's Mystery four times in six years, with Sammy Keyes and the Hotel Thief taking home the prestigious award. Additionally, she has won the Christopher medal for Shredderman: Secret Identity and the California Young Reader Medal for Flipped. Her books have been translated into numerous foreign languages and have been optioned for film and television projects.
In her personal life, Van Draanen resides in California with her husband and two sons. When she's not writing, she enjoys the "Three R's": Reading, Running, and Rock 'n' Roll.
