Steinhöfel, Andreas 1962-

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Steinhöfel, Andreas 1962-

PERSONAL:

Born January 14, 1962, in Germany. Education: Attended the University of Marburg.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Berlin, Germany.

CAREER:

Author of books for children and young adults; translator.

AWARDS, HONORS:

Buxtehuder Bulle Prize, 1998, for Die mitte der Welt; German Youth Literary Award, 1999, 2002, and 2005; IBBY Honor Award, as author and translator, 1999 and 2002; Hans-im-Glück-Preis, 2000, for David Tage, Mona Näte; Jungen Leser Jury Prize, 2000.

WRITINGS:

IN GERMAN

Dirk und ich, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 1991.

Paul Vier und die Schröders, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 1992.

Trüerische Stille, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 1993.

Glitzerkatze und Stinkmaus, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 1994.

Beschützer der Diebe, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 1994.

Es ist ein Elch entsprungen, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 1995.

1:0 für Sven und Renan, DTV (Munich, Germany), 1995.

O Patria Mia, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 1996.

Herr Purps, die Klassenmaus, arsEdition (Munich, Germany), 1996.

Die Honigkuckuckskinder, DTV (Munich, Germany), 1996.

(With Anja Tuckermann) David Tage, Mona Nächte, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 1999.

Wo bist du nur?, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 2000.

Defender: Geschichten aus der Mitte der Welt (shortstory collection), Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 2001.

Der mechanische Prinz, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 2003.

Froschmaul (short-story collection), Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 2006.

IN ENGLISH TRANSLATION

Die Mitte der Welt, Carlsen Verlag (Hamburg, Germany), 1998, translation by Alisa Jaffa published as The Center of the World, illustrated by Kerstin Meyer, Delacorte Press (New York, NY), 2005.

An Elk Dropped In, Front Street (Asheville, NC), 2006.

Also translator of numerous books from German into English.

SIDELIGHTS:

A prolific writer of books for children and young adults, German author Andreas Steinhöfel is known in the United States for two titles translated into English. The protagonist of The Center of the World is seventeen-year-old Phil, who has been raised in a remote, rundown German castle with his twin sister. He longs to escape his small town with its tormenting schoolmates, and finds brief solace in a physical relationship with a male crush. Yet several mysteries consume him, including the identity of his American father. J.A. Locke commented in a BookLoons review that the story is "something rare and unforgettable. Though the novel is aimed at young adults, I recommend The Center of the World to anyone searching for a long, meaningful, stirring read." Guardian reviewer Meg Rosof remarked: "Breaking all the rules of the young adult novel with its calm, internalised landscapes and eccentric, meandering narrative, it pulls the reader forward powerfully towards the open air, towards freedom and possibilities and growth."

In An Elk Dropped In, an elk named Mr. Moose sustains an injury taking Santa's sleigh on a test run and is taken in by the Wagner family, including young Billy, who is eager to hear the elk's stories. Mr. Moose yearns to join Santa's reindeer for their Christmas Eve duties, and Billy yearns to see his recently divorced parents reunited. Booklist contributor Francisca Goldsmith wrote that the holiday story "will surprise and delight gentle readers." The book was described by Horn Book Magazine reviewer Jennifer M. Brabander as "a holiday tale that will have them laughing all the way." Because of its mature themes—including a scene where Grandma plies Santa with cherry brandy—a critic remarked in an article for Kirkus Reviews that An Elk Dropped In would be "most suited for an adult audience."