Harry Mazer
Encyclopedia
Harry Mazer is an American
author
of books for children and young adults, acclaimed for his “realistic” novels. He has written twenty-two novels, including The Solid Gold Kid, The Island Keeper, Heroes Don't Run, and Snow Bound, which was adapted as an NBC
after school special
, as well as one work of poetry
and a few short stories
.
After attending the Bronx High School of Science
Mazer served in World War II
in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1943–45. He became a sergeant
, and he received a Purple Heart
and an Air Medal
with four bronze oak leaf clusters after his B-17 bomber was shot down over Czechoslovakia in April 1945. His wartime experiences eventually inspired several works of historical fiction
, including The Last Mission and A Boy at War
. After returning to the U.S., Mazer went to Union College
, where he earned a BA
in 1948. From 1950 to 1955 he was a railroad brakeman and switchtender for New York Central
. He was an English teacher in upstate New York at the Central Square School
for a year, in 1959. In 1960 he received a M.A.
from Syracuse University
.
He has won numerous awards including several 'Best Books' designations from the American Library Association
, The Knickerbocker Award from the New York Library Association
(2001), and The ALAN Award for Contributions to Young Adult Literature (2003).
Mazer co-authored three books with his late wife, Norma Fox Mazer
. He is the father of author Anne Mazer
.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author
Author
An author is broadly defined as "the person who originates or gives existence to anything" and that authorship determines responsibility for what is created. Narrowly defined, an author is the originator of any written work.-Legal significance:...
of books for children and young adults, acclaimed for his “realistic” novels. He has written twenty-two novels, including The Solid Gold Kid, The Island Keeper, Heroes Don't Run, and Snow Bound, which was adapted as an NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
after school special
After school special
The American Broadcasting Company coined the term after school special in 1972 with a series of made for television movies, usually dealing with controversial or socially relevant issues, that were generally broadcast in the late afternoon and meant to be viewed by school age children, particularly...
, as well as one work of poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
and a few short stories
Short Stories
Short Stories may refer to:*A plural for Short story*Short Stories , an American pulp magazine published from 1890-1959*Short Stories, a 1954 collection by O. E...
.
After attending the Bronx High School of Science
Bronx High School of Science
The Bronx High School of Science is a specialized New York City public high school often considered the premier science magnet school in the United States. Founded in 1938, it is now located in the Bedford Park section of the Bronx...
Mazer served in World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
in the U.S. Army Air Force from 1943–45. He became a sergeant
Sergeant
Sergeant is a rank used in some form by most militaries, police forces, and other uniformed organizations around the world. Its origins are the Latin serviens, "one who serves", through the French term Sergent....
, and he received a Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
and an Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
with four bronze oak leaf clusters after his B-17 bomber was shot down over Czechoslovakia in April 1945. His wartime experiences eventually inspired several works of historical fiction
Historical fiction
Historical fiction tells a story that is set in the past. That setting is usually real and drawn from history, and often contains actual historical persons, but the principal characters tend to be fictional...
, including The Last Mission and A Boy at War
A Boy at War
A Boy at War is a historical novel by Harry Mazer targeted at young adult audiences based on the events of the attack on Pearl Harbor that intitiated the United States' involvement in World War II...
. After returning to the U.S., Mazer went to Union College
Union College
Union College is a private, non-denominational liberal arts college located in Schenectady, New York, United States. Founded in 1795, it was the first institution of higher learning chartered by the New York State Board of Regents. In the 19th century, it became the "Mother of Fraternities", as...
, where he earned a BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1948. From 1950 to 1955 he was a railroad brakeman and switchtender for New York Central
New York Central Railroad
The New York Central Railroad , known simply as the New York Central in its publicity, was a railroad operating in the Northeastern United States...
. He was an English teacher in upstate New York at the Central Square School
Central Square School District
Central Square Central School District is a school district centered in Oswego County, New York. The Superintendent of Schools is Ms. Carolyn F. Costello. This is the largest school district per square mile in New York State...
for a year, in 1959. In 1960 he received a M.A.
Master of Arts (postgraduate)
A Master of Arts from the Latin Magister Artium, is a type of Master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The M.A. is usually contrasted with the M.S. or M.Sc. degrees...
from Syracuse University
Syracuse University
Syracuse University is a private research university located in Syracuse, New York, United States. Its roots can be traced back to Genesee Wesleyan Seminary, founded by the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1832, which also later founded Genesee College...
.
He has won numerous awards including several 'Best Books' designations from the American Library Association
American Library Association
The American Library Association is a non-profit organization based in the United States that promotes libraries and library education internationally. It is the oldest and largest library association in the world, with more than 62,000 members....
, The Knickerbocker Award from the New York Library Association
New York Library Association
The New York Library Association was founded in 1890 to promote New York libraries. NYLA was the first state-wide organization of librarians in the United States. One of its founders was Melvil Dewey, who has had a lasting impact on libraries in the United States...
(2001), and The ALAN Award for Contributions to Young Adult Literature (2003).
Mazer co-authored three books with his late wife, Norma Fox Mazer
Norma Fox Mazer
Norma Fox Mazer was an American author and teacher, best known for her books for children and young adults. Her novels featured credible young characters confronting difficult situations such as family separation and death....
. He is the father of author Anne Mazer
Anne Mazer
Anne Mazer is the author of forty-five books, including The Amazing Days of Abby Hayes series encompassing twenty two books, The Salamander Room and The No-Nothings and Their Baby.Mazer was born in 1953 in Schenectady, New York...
.