Andrew Clements

Andrew Clements has written a series of pleasantly earnest, thoughtful children’s books, including the excellent YA sci-fi/fantasy Things Not Seen. Clements spent several years as a teacher, and his books display a clear understanding of the way kids’ minds work. The well-meaning sincerity of his books can be a trifle hard to swallow, but he’s usually pretty entertaining.

Note #1: Clements spent a year trying to make a living as a singer/songwriter. Like the vast majority of singer/songwriters, he did not succeed.


Aftertaste:
None.

Availability:
Everywhere. This is a good bet for your local library.

Other Recommendations:
Anything by Chris Crutcher, for kids looking for a more mature exploration of the same themes.