Patrick Carman (born February 27, 1966, in Salem, Oregon) is an American writer and a graduate of Willamette University. Carman's first book, The Dark Hills Divide, was published in 2005 The book, and the subsequent books in the same series (The Land of Elyon), were all New York Times bestsellers,. The Land of Elyon has been translated into over twenty languages. The series was nominated for many state and national awards. Carman followed the five-book Elyon series with the Atherton trilogy, which was shortlisted for the Texas Bluebonnet. Over two dozen books followed across middle grade and YA, including award-winning bestsellers Skeleton Creek, Floors, Pulse, Dark Eden, and Fizzopolis. Carman is a public speaker who presents at national events throughout the year including the National Book Festival, the LA Book Festival, and the School Library Journal Summit. He has also spoken to over a million students at 2500+ schools across the country. On March 5, 2011, Patrick Carman gave a TED talk about 21st-Century literacy. He started an annual event in his own hometown, Walla Walla Kids Read, as a blueprint for literacy in rural communities. Awards Texas Bluebonnet Award master list 2020: Mr. Gedrick and Me Parents Choice Award, US 2015: Floors Rhode Island Children's Book Award, Nominee 2015: Floors Official Selection, Story Lab Summer Reading Program, UK 2015: Floors 2011 New Mexico Land of Enchantment 2011: Skeleton Creek 2008: The Dark Hills Divide 2008-2009: The Dark Hills Divide Children's Book Council nominee 2010: The Crossbones 2010: Thirteen Days to Midnight YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list 2011: Thirteen Days to Midnight Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards 2010-2011: Skeleton Creek Delaware Diamonds Booklist 2010-2011: Skeleton Creek Oregon Battle of the Books List 2010-2011: Skeleton Creek 2008-2009: The Dark Hills Divide 2008-2009: Atherton: The House of Power Truman Award Nominee 2009-2010: Atherton National E.B. White Award Nominee 2008: Atherton National Lamplighter Award 2008: Beyond the Valley of Thorns 2007: The Dark Hills Divide Wyoming Statewide Soaring Eagle Book Award short list 2009: Atherton: House of Power Florida Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Program short list 2008-2009: The Land of Elyon 2008-2009: Elliot's Park New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Book Award Short List 2008: Atherton: The House of Power VOYA's 2008 Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers List National Literacy Explore New Worlds Booklist (1 of 20 books chosen by the Library of Congress) Land of Elyon The Texas Bluebonnet