From an early age Russell Bruce Freedman was surrounded by books and knew he wanted to write. After several professional writing experiences, he turned to authoring books for children and young adults, which have been recognized with the highest honors, including a Newbery Medal.

Born in San Francisco on October 11, 1929, to parents Louis Freedman, a sales manager for Macmillan Publishing Company, and Irene Gordon Freedman, an actress, he was accustomed to discussing books. His family entertained such authors as John Steinbeck, William Saroyan and John Masefield.

Freedman attended San Jose State College before graduating from the University of California, Berkeley, in 1951. Soon after he was drafted into the army and sent to Korea from 1951 to 1953. Upon returning to California, Freedman worked as a reporter and editor for the Associated Press, a job that he credits with improving his writing.

In 1956 he moved to New...