Louis Sachar is an American author of children's books, best known for his 1998 novel Holes. He has written numerous books for children and young adults, including the Wayside School series, There's a Boy in the Girls' Bathroom, and Small Steps. Sachar has won numerous awards for his work, including the Newbery Medal for Holes, the National Book Award for Young People's Literature for Small Steps, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Wayside School Is Falling Down. Sachar was born in East Meadow, New York, and grew up in California. He attended the University of California, Berkeley, where he studied economics and law. After graduating, he worked as a lawyer for several years before deciding to pursue writing full-time. His first book, Sideways Stories from Wayside School, was published in 1978. Sachar's books often feature themes of friendship, loyalty, and perseverance. His characters often face difficult challenges and must find creative solutions to their problems. Sachar's writing style is humorous and often includes unexpected plot twists. He has said that he enjoys writing books that make readers laugh and think.