Gary Paulsen is the distinguished author of many critically acclaimed books for young people, including three Newbery Honor books: The Winter Room, Hatchet, and Dogsong. His novel The Haymeadow received the Western Writers of America Golden Spur Award. Among his most recent novels are Soldier's Heart and The Transall Saga. He and his wife, the painter Ruth Wright Paulsen, have homes in New Mexico and on the Pacific Ocean.