Alan Gratz at a Glance

Full Name: Alan Gratz

Pronunciation: AL-uhn GRATZ

Born: January 27, 1972

Nationality: United States

Education:

• University of Tennessee (BA, Creative Writing)
• University of Tennessee (MA, English Education)

Genres:

• Historical fiction
• Middle grade fiction
• Young adult fiction

Biography & Background

Alan Gratz Biography

A native of Tennessee, Alan Gratz harbored a love of writing from a very early age. After earning degrees in creative writing and English education, he simultaneously taught middle school and worked on manuscripts that imbued middle grade stories with historical context. While his earlier works were lighter in tone, he eventually gravitated toward an edgier approach, addressing the ethical dilemmas of starkly challenging historical eras like World War II and employing a thriller format to encourage younger readers to consider complex issues in greater depth.

In the aftermath of 9/11, Gratz struggled for many years to grant his readers’ frequent requests that he write a historical novel about the event, and he discarded his first attempt entirely. Finally, around the 20-year anniversary of 9/11, Gratz published Ground Zero, which contrasts the moment-to-moment experiences of two young protagonists—a young boy who experiences the destruction of the Twin Towers in 2001 and a young girl in Afghanistan who encounters a wounded American soldier in 2019. In an interview for the Grateful American Book Prize, Gratz admits that Ground Zero was his “most emotionally challenging” work to date. His other works of historical fiction include Prisoner B-3087 (2013), Project 1065 (2016), and Grenade (2018). He currently lives with his family in Portland, Oregon.

Fun Facts About Alan Gratz

• Refugee (2017), which tells the survival stories of three separate protagonists from different historical eras, has held a place on the New York Times Best Seller List for five years and won 14 state awards, as well as many additional honors.
• Gratz was once a Writer in Residence at the American School in Tokyo, Japan.
• Gratz once taught his middle school students how to build a catapult.

Alan Gratz’s Awards & Honors

• 2007 — YALSA Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults (Samurai Shortstop)
• 2017 — National Jewish Book Award for Young Adult Literature (Refugee)

Interviews & Podcasts

Hear from Alan Gratz in his own words.

Interviews with Alan Gratz

_{GRATEFUL AMERICAN BOOK PRIZE}

Interview with 2021 Grateful American Book Prize Winner (November 17, 2021)

Gratz reflects on the emotional difficulty of writing Ground Zero and discusses why it took nearly two decades for him to feel ready to write a historical novel about the 9/11 attacks. The interview offers insight into his development as a writer of historical fiction.

_ADLIT

Author Alan Gratz on How and Why He Finally Wrote a Historical Novel About 9/11 (May 23, 2022)

In this interview that will especially appeal to educators, Gratz talks about overcoming writer’s block on a long-delayed project, why he writes for middle grade readers, and how he approaches historical fiction through a modern lens.

Podcasts with Alan Gratz

_{E TRAIN TALKS BOOKS}

My Interview with Alan Gratz (September 21, 2022)

Gratz speaks with a young book reviewer about what inspires his novels, what historical topics he’s drawn to, and how young people respond to his stories. A fun and accessible conversation for readers of all ages.

Alan Gratz Quotes

Good books shouldn’t be hidden away. They should be read by as many people as many times as possible.

— Ban This Book (2017)

I had managed to scare even the monsters, and when you can scare monsters, you can be sure you've become one yourself.

— Projekt 1065 (2016)

You Americans think you can fix everything by throwing money at it […]. But your friend was right. This is like the Stone Age. Because no one will let us get past the Stone Age. Not when there is nothing but war. Do you understand? The best thing you can do to help us is leave us alone.

— Ground Zero (2021)

Life is but a river. It has no beginning, no middle, no end. All we are, all we are worth, is what we do while we float upon it—how we treat our fellow man.

— Prisoner B-3087 (2013)

You can live as a ghost, waiting for death to come, or you can dance.

— Refugee (2017)

Notable Books by Alan Gratz

Refugee (2017)

This best-selling novel interweaves the stories of three young refugees—one fleeing Nazi Germany, another escaping 1990s Cuba, and a third seeking safety from civil war in Syria. Gratz highlights parallels between generations of displaced people, encouraging empathy and historical awareness.

Explore the full breakdown with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Projekt 1065: A Novel of World War II (2016)

Set in Nazi Germany, this thriller follows a young Irish boy living in Berlin who joins the Hitler Youth as a spy for the Allies. With high stakes and fast-paced action, Gratz uses World War II as a backdrop for exploring courage, manipulation, and moral ambiguity.

Uncover more with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Heroes (2024)

In this recent release, Gratz returns to WWII to tell the story of four young resistance fighters who disrupt Nazi operations across Europe. The book centers on real missions and characters inspired by history, blending fact and fiction to create a gripping tale of bravery and sacrifice.

Learn more with SuperSummary's study guide.

Authors Like Alan Gratz

John Boyne

Recommended Read: The Boy in the Striped Pajamas (2006)

Told from the perspective of an eight-year-old boy whose father is a Nazi commandant, this novel explores innocence, ignorance, and the human cost of prejudice. Like Gratz, Boyne uses a young protagonist to illuminate the harsh realities of war.

Explore the full breakdown with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Lois Lowry

Recommended Read: Number the Stars (1989)

Set during the Nazi occupation of Denmark, this middle grade classic follows a young girl who helps her Jewish friend escape to safety. Lowry’s focus on courage, resistance, and family echoes many of the themes in Gratz’s historical fiction.

Uncover more about this novel with SuperSummary’s study guide.

Elizabeth Wein

Recommended Read: Code Name Verity (2012)

This emotionally intense novel follows two young women working for the British war effort—one a captured spy, the other a pilot. Wein and Gratz both highlight unsung heroes of history while creating gripping, character-driven narratives.

Ready to dig in? Check out SuperSummary’s study guide.

Follow Alan Gratz

Connect with Alan Gratz on the following platforms:

• Website: www.alangratz.com
• Facebook: Alan Gratz
• Instagram: @alan.gratz
• X: Alan Gratz