Graham Salisbury, winner of the Scott O'Dell and Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, grew up in Hawaii during the 1950's, and the lion's share of his fiction is set there. He writes about boys of all races trying to carve an identity for themselves and struggling to make moral decisions as they grow into manhood. The first section of this book chronicles the labyrinthine path of Salisbury's life and career: from barefoot island boy to college dropout, from bubblegum pop musician to schoolteacher, and from real estate manager to young adult author. The book then offers a critical context for Salisbury's work, discussing his novels in terms of plot and style: analyzing literary themes and examining critical responses to his work. Salisbury's use of archetypes and the coming of age stories that dominate his work are explored in depth. Fans are also treated to a peek at some of Salisbury's future projects. Librarians, teachers, and teen readers will find this critical biography to be a useful resource for the library, classroom, and reference bookshelf.

"Part of the Scarecrow Studies in Young Adult Literature series, Gill's critical analysis of Salisbury's work is a satisfying and absorbing read....Gill's writing is clear, devoid of jargon and educational obfuscation. What comes across most clearly is a heartfelt appreciation for the talent Salisbury demonstrates in his novels. Teachers, librarians, and students will all find this volume useful as well as interesting to read." - VOYA

"This is an exceptionally well-researched book. Teachers will find good excerpts to use with their students, helping them to gain a more thorough comprehension of Salisbury's talent." - School Library Journal, 12/1/2005