Neal Shusterman author page

Neal Shusterman biography

Neal Shusterman is an American author acclaimed for his contributions to young adult and middle-grade literature. Born on November 12, 1962, in Brooklyn, New York, he developed an early interest in writing. At age 16, his family relocated to Mexico City, where he completed high school at the American School Foundation. He later attended the University of California, Irvine, earning degrees in psychology and theater, and participated on the varsity swim team.

Shusterman’s writing career commenced shortly after college when he secured a book deal and a screenwriting position. His early works include Dissidents (1989), Speeding Bullet (1991), and The Eyes of Kid Midas (1992). In 1999, he published Downsiders, exploring a hidden society beneath New York City. His 2004 novel, The Schwa Was Here, received the Boston Globe–Horn Book Award for Fiction and Poetry.

In 2007, Shusterman released Unwind, the first installment of the Unwind Dystology, a series examining complex ethical issues in a dystopian context. The series has garnered over thirty domestic and international awards. His 2015 novel, Challenger Deep, which delves into mental illness, won the National Book Award for Young People’s Literature and the Golden Kite Award for Fiction.

Shusterman’s Arc of a Scythe trilogy, beginning with Scythe (2016), presents a future society where death has been conquered, and select individuals are tasked with population control. The first book earned a Michael L. Printz Honor in 2017. He has also co-authored works with his son, Jarrod Shusterman, including Dry (2018) and Roxy (2021).

Beyond novels, Shusterman has written for television, contributing to series such as Goosebumps, Animorphs, and the Disney Channel Original Movie Pixel Perfect. He has received numerous accolades, including the 2024 Margaret A. Edwards Award for his lasting contribution to writing for teens.