Carman's first book, The Dark Hills Divide, was published in 2005[2] The book, and the subsequent books in the same series (The Land of Elyon), were all New York Times bestsellers.[3]The Land of Elyon has been translated into over twenty languages. The series was nominated for many state and national awards.
Carman followed the five-book Elyon series with the Atherton trilogy, which was shortlisted for the Texas Bluebonnet. Over two dozen books followed across middle grade and YA, including award-winning bestsellers Skeleton Creek, Floors, Pulse, Dark Eden, and Fizzopolis.
Carman is a public speaker who presents at national events throughout the year including the National Book Festival, the LA Book Festival, and the School Library Journal Summit. He has also spoken to over a million students at 2500+ schools across the country. On March 5, 2011, Patrick Carman gave a TED talk about 21st-Century literacy. He started an annual event in his own hometown, Walla Walla Kids Read, as a blueprint for literacy in rural communities.
Awards
Texas Bluebonnet Award master list
2020: Mr. Gedrick and Me
Parents Choice Award, US
2015: Floors
Rhode Island Children's Book Award, Nominee
2015: Floors
Official Selection, Story Lab Summer Reading Program, UK
2015: Floors
2011 New Mexico Land of Enchantment
2011: Skeleton Creek
2008: The Dark Hills Divide
2008-2009: The Dark Hills Divide
Children's Book Council nominee
2010: The Crossbones
2010: Thirteen Days to Midnight
YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers list
2011: Thirteen Days to Midnight
Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Awards
2010-2011: Skeleton Creek
Delaware Diamonds Booklist
2010-2011: Skeleton Creek
Oregon Battle of the Books List
2010-2011: Skeleton Creek
2008-2009: The Dark Hills Divide
2008-2009: Atherton: The House of Power
Truman Award Nominee
2009-2010: Atherton
National E.B. White Award Nominee
2008: Atherton
National Lamplighter Award
2008: Beyond the Valley of Thorns
2007: The Dark Hills Divide
Wyoming Statewide Soaring Eagle Book Award short list
2009: Atherton: House of Power
Florida Sunshine State Young Reader's Award Program short list
2008-2009: The Land of Elyon
2008-2009: Elliot's Park
New Hampshire Isinglass Teen Book Award Short List
2008: Atherton: The House of Power
VOYA's 2008 Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers List
National Literacy Explore New Worlds Booklist (1 of 20 books chosen by the Library of Congress)