David Patneaude finally heeded the advice, “It’s never too late to have a happy childhood,” and began writing seriously (more or less) in the mid 1980s. His first novel, SOMEONE WAS WATCHING, winner of South Dakota and Utah book awards, was published in 1993. His books have been placed on young readers’ lists in eighteen different states and honored by the New York Public Library (THE LAST MAN’S REWARD), the Society of School Librarians International (FRAMED IN FIRE), the Winnetka (Illinois) Public Library’s “One Book, Two Villages” program (THIN WOOD WALLS), and the Washington State Public Library (THIN WOOD WALLS). When he’s not sitting in a coffee shop writing, or at a school or library or conference talking about writing, or out on the running trail thinking about writing, he’s at home in Woodinville, Washington with his wife Judy, a middle school librarian.
- Thirty-eight nominations for young readers’ awards in eighteen different states
- Young readers’ awards in South Dakota and Utah
- Runner-up for young readers’ awards in Nebraska, Tennessee, and Illinois
- Honor Book, Society of School Librarians International
- Washington Reads selection, Washington State Library
- Winnetka (Illinois) One Book, Two Villages selection
- Amazon 2005 Newbery Contender List, top fifteen
- Starred review, Library Media Connection
