Louis Sachar

Julia Eccleshare, our very own editorial expert as well as Children's Books Editor of the Guardian says of Louis:

Best-selling author Louis Sachar took the world by storm with Holes, his remarkable story about a group of boys in a reform camp. But he deserves to be just as famous and popular for his many other books which display his hallmark qualities of warmth, empathy and understanding of all kinds of young readers but especially those whose lives have gone a bit awry. Young readers are immediately attracted to Louis Sachar’s novels for his great and unusual stories and for his exceptional understanding of some of the challenges of growing up.

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Louis Sachar was born on 20 March 1954, in East Meadow, New York. In 1976, he went to the University of California, where he studied economics. While at university he became a teacher’s aide to gain extra credit; it turned out to be his favourite class and inspired him to write children's books. After graduation he worked in a sweater warehouse in Connecticut and wrote at night. After he was fired from that job he moved on to law school. In his first week of study, Sideways Stories from Wayside was published. After completing his studies in 1980 he became a part-time lawyer but was compelled to concentrate on his writing full-time.
 
Louis now lives in Austin, Texas, where he writes and plays quite a lot of bridge. His novel Holes has sold over 8 million copies worldwide and has been made into a major motion picture of the same name by Disney. Louis is the recipient of many of the world's most prestigious book prizes, including the National Book Award and the Newbery Award. Holes was also selected as the first Liverpool City Read title and won the Sheffield Book Award in the UK. The Cardturner, published by Bloomsbury in June 2010, is a truly original romance, coming of age and mystery novel.

Author photo credit © Perry Hagopian

Check out the great Q&A with teachers and students and some handy writing tips on Louis' website - click here.

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Featured Books, with extracts by Louis Sachar

The Cardturner
Louis Sachar
A Lovereading4kids 'Great Read' you may have missed 2011 selection. The worldwide best-selling author of Holes takes readers on a journey right into the extraordinary and obsessive world of bridge. Don’t be put off by this central theme before having a...
Format: Paperback - Released: 09/08/2011
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Marvin Redpost 5: Class President
Louis Sachar
The fifth of 8 great adventures about an ordinary boy with a big heart and a strong desire to work things out even when they’re complicated. Thursday is ‘hole day’ and everyone in Mrs North’s class is wearing clothes with...
Format: Paperback - Released: 21/06/2010
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Marvin Redpost 6: A Flying Birthday Cake?
Louis Sachar
The sixth of 8 great adventures about an ordinary boy with a big heart and a strong desire to work things out even when they’re complicated. Having eaten too much cake and drunk too much punch at Nick’s birthday party,...
Format: Paperback - Released: 21/06/2010
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Marvin Redpost 8: A Magic Crystal?
Louis Sachar
The final Marvin Redpost adventure about an ordinary boy with a big heart and a strong desire to work things out even when they’re complicated. Marvin ventures into new territory when he goes home to Casey’s house after school for...
Format: Paperback - Released: 21/06/2010
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Marvin Redpost 7: Super Fast, Out of Control!
Louis Sachar
The seventh of 8 great adventures about an ordinary boy with a big heart and a strong desire to work things out even when they’re complicated. Brilliantly constructed with a great moral lightly buried in a genuinely exciting story, here...
Format: Paperback - Released: 21/06/2010
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The Cardturner Audio CD
Louis Sachar
The worldwide bestselling author of Holes takes readers on a journey right into the extraordinary and obsessive world of bridge.  Don’t be put off by this central theme before having a read of the extract on Lovereading4kids.  Alton Richards is...
Format: Hardback - Released: 07/06/2010
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The Cardturner
Louis Sachar
The worldwide bestselling author of Holes takes readers on a journey right into the extraordinary and obsessive world of bridge.  Don’t be put off by this central theme before having a read of the extract on Lovereading4kids.  Alton Richards is...
Format: Hardback - Released: 01/06/2010
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Marvin Redpost 4: Alone in His Teacher's House
Louis Sachar
The fourth of 8 great adventures about an ordinary boy with a big heart and a strong desire to work things out even when they’re complicated. Simply told, this is nonetheless a deeply touching story. Marvin’s teacher asks him to...
Format: Paperback - Released: 19/04/2010
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Marvin Redpost 3: Is He a Girl?
Louis Sachar
The third of 8 great adventures about an ordinary boy with a big heart and a strong desire to work things out even when they’re complicated. When Casey tells Marvin that he’ll turn into a girl if he kisses his...
Format: Paperback - Released: 19/04/2010
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Marvin Redpost 1: Kidnapped at Birth
Louis Sachar
The first of 8 great adventures about an ordinary boy with a big heart and a strong desire to work things out even when they’re complicated. Meet Marvin Redpost. He has red hair and blue eyes. And he is left...
Format: Paperback - Released: 19/04/2010
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Marvin Redpost 2: Why Pick on Me?
Louis Sachar
The second of 8 great adventures about an ordinary boy with a big heart and a strong desire to work things out even when they’re complicated. When Clarence the class bully tells everyone that Marvin picks his nose even his...
Format: Paperback - Released: 19/04/2010
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Pig City
Louis Sachar
Bestselling author Louis Sachar is back with a stunning new novel, which all begins with a hat…The hat Laura Sibbie buys from an old man in the street that says Pig City on the front and so Pig City is...
Format: Paperback - Released: 04/05/2009
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There's A Boy in the Girls' Bathroom
Louis Sachar
In Holes, best-selling author Louis Sachar showed his understanding and compassion for a group of boys who have got outside the system. In There’s a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, he shows the same sensitivity to Bradley Chalkers, one boy...
Format: Paperback - Released: 05/03/2007
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Marvin Redpost
Louis Sachar
When Marvin Redpost makes a new friend at school, he is introduced to a whole different, challenging and fun perspective on life.
Format: Paperback - Released: 07/02/2005
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There's A Boy in the Girls' Bathroom
Louis Sachar
In Holes, best-selling author Louis Sachar showed his understanding and compassion for a group of boys who have got outside the system. In There’s a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, he shows the same sensitivity to Bradley Chalkers, one boy...
Format: Hardback - Released: 20/02/2004
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Holes
Louis Sachar
October 2011 Guest Editor Roddy Doyle: "Boys in jail – a great idea. The jail has no roof and they have to dig huge holes in the baking sun all day – it’s getting even better. I read Holes in...
Format: Paperback - Released: 02/10/2000
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