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Books have always played a significant role in Wendelin Van Draanen's life. Her mother taught her to read early on, and she cherishes memories of story time with her father, when she and her brothers would gather around him to listen to his stories.
As a child, Van Draanen was a tomboy who enjoyed outdoor adventures. It wasn’t until adulthood that she decided to become a writer. Her first attempt was a screenplay about a family tragedy, which she found deeply cathartic. This led her to write novels for adults before discovering the joy of writing for children.
Van Draanen considers feedback from her readers her greatest reward. "One girl came up to me and told me I changed her life. It doesn't get any better than that," she said. She aims to inspire her readers to believe in their power to shape their own destinies, embrace individuality as a strength, and understand that determination can overcome obstacles.
Her debut book was published in 1997, and since then, her works have been nominated for State Award Master Lists nationwide. The Sammy Keyes Mysteries series, now in its tenth book, has 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 winning the award. She has also received the Christopher Medal for Shredderman: Secret Identity and the California Young Reader Medal for Flipped. Her books have been translated into numerous languages and optioned for film and television. She resides in California with her husband and two sons and enjoys the "Three R's": Reading, Running, and Rock 'n' Roll.
