Jostein Gaarder

Jostein Gaarder was born in Oslo, the son of schoolteachers. He grew up in Bergen, Norway, and later studied theology and literature in college. He taught high school in Bergen for many years, during which he began to write Sophie’s World, the novel that would make him famous. During the late 80s, Gaarder wrote children’s mysteries that gained him a wide following in Scandinavia. It wasn’t until 1991, when Sophie’s World was published, that he became an international figure. Following the success of this book, Gaarder became a popular columnist, talk show guest, and journalist, in addition to a writer of children’s books. He established a “Sophie Prize,” named after his novel’s protagonist, which honored education and environmental awareness, and also penned a column in which he lobbied for Palestinian rights. Gaarder continues to write children’s books, though none have had the same international impact as Sophie’s World.