Marshfield High School Alumni
Marshfield, Wisconsin (WI)
Alden Carter
Author
What is Alden Carter known for?
Alden R. Carter (source) is a celebrated American writer, born on April 7, 1947 in Eau Claire, Wisconsin (source). He made his mark primarily with his young adult novels, stories, and non-fiction. His works have won six American Library Association Best Book awards and in 2002, he was named to the Wisconsin Library Association's list of "Notable Wisconsin Authors", marking him as one of the finest writers in the state. His Civil War novel, Bright Starry Banner, is a noteworthy contribution along with several adult non-fiction works.
Alden discovered his talent for writing early in life. He earned a bachelor's degree in English and humanities from the University of Kansas on a Navy ROTC scholarship. Subsequently, he served as a Navy officer for five years, receiving numerous commendations and even a nomination for the Navy Achievement Medal. Following his discharge, he taught English and journalism in Marshfield, Wisconsin, from 1976 to 1980 before focusing solely on his writing career. He currently resides in Marshfield with his wife and two children, Brian and Siri, with whom he has also collaborated.
His eleven novels are praised for their realism, vivid characterization, and the courage displayed by their protagonists. They shed light on various issues like alcoholism, racial and identity confusion, and diabetes. His non-fiction work for children covers a wide range of topics from electronics to military history to the Shoshoni Indians. He has also written seven children's picture books highlighting children facing medical challenges. His daughter, Siri, collaborated with him on the book I'm Tougher than Asthma, while his wife, Carol, contributed photographs for several of the picture books.