Hughes, Dean 1943–

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Hughes, Dean 1943–

(D.T. Hughes)

PERSONAL:

Born August 24, 1943, in Ogden, UT; son of Emery T. (a government worker) and Lorraine Hughes; married Kathleen Hurst (a teacher and educational administrator), November 23, 1966; children: Tom, Amy, Robert. Education: Weber State College, B.A. (cum laude), 1967; University of Washington, M.A., 1968, Ph.D., 1972; postdoctoral study at Stanford University, summer, 1975, and Yale University, summer, 1978. Politics: Democrat. Religion: Mormon. Hobbies and other interests: Theater, jazz, travel, golf, skiing, collecting kaleidoscopes.

CAREER:

Roosevelt Hotel, Seattle, WA, bellman, 1967-72; Central Missouri State University, Warrensburg, MO, associate professor of English, 1972-80; Brigham Young University, Provo, UT, part-time visiting professor, 1980-82; writer, part-time editor, and consultant, 1980—. Guest author, speaker, and workshop leader at writing conferences.

MEMBER:

Children's Literature Association, Society of Children's Book Writers, Authors Guild, Authors League of America.

AWARDS, HONORS:

National Endowment for the Humanities summer seminar stipend, 1975 and 1978; Outstanding Faculty Achievement Award, Central Missouri State University, 1980; Honestly, Myron was selected one of the "Best Books for Kids" by Children's Book Committee; Booklist Editor's Choice Award, 1989, for Family Pose.

WRITINGS:

"NUTTY" SERIES

Nutty for President, illustrated by Blanche Sims, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1981.

Nutty and the Case of the Mastermind Thief, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1985.

Nutty and the Case of the Ski-Slope Spy, Atheneum (New York, NY) 1985.

Nutty Can't Miss, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1987.

Nutty Knows All, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1988.

Nutty, the Movie Star, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1989.

Nutty's Ghost, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1993.

Re-Elect Nutty!, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1994.

"LUCKY" SERIES

Lucky Breaks Loose, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1990.

Lucky's Crash Landing, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1990.

Lucky's Gold Mine, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1990.

Lucky Fights Back, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1991.

Lucky's Mud Festival, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1991.

Lucky the Detective, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1992.

Lucky's Tricks, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1992.

Lucky's Cool Club, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1993.

Lucky in Love, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1993.

Lucky Comes Home, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1994.

"CHILDREN OF THE PROMISE" SERIES

Rumors of War, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1997.

Since You Went Away, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1997.

Far from Home, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1998.

When We Meet Again, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1999.

As Long as I Have You, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 2000.

So Much of Life Ahead: A Novel, Bookcraft (Salt Lake City, UT), 2005.

"HEARTS OF THE CHILDREN" SERIES

The Writing on the Wall: A Novel, Bookcraft (Salt Lake City, UT), 2001.

Troubled Waters: A Novel, Bookcraft (Salt Lake City, UT), 2002.

How Many Roads? A Novel, Bookcraft (Salt Lake City, UT), 2003.

Take Me Home: A Novel, Bookcraft (Salt Lake City, UT), 2004.

WILLIAMS FAMILY TRILOGY

Under the Same Stars, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1979, revised edition, 2005.

As Wide as the River, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1980, revised edition, 2005.

Facing the Enemy, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1982, revised edition, 2005.

OTHER

Along the Sideroad, Nelson, Foster & Scott, 1973.

Romance and Psychological Realism in William Godwin's Novels, Arno, 1981.

Hooper Haller (young adult novel), Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1981.

Honestly, Myron (juvenile novel), illustrated by Martha Weston, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1982.

Switching Tracks (juvenile novel), Atheneum (New York, NY), 1982.

Millie Willenheimer and the Chestnut Corporation (juvenile novel), Atheneum (New York, NY), 1983.

Jenny Haller (young adult novel), Deseret (New York, NY), 1983.

Brothers (novel), Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1986.

The Mormon Church: A Basic History (nonfiction), Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1986.

Theo Zephyr (juvenile), Atheneum (New York, NY), 1987.

Cornbread and Prayer, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1988.

Family Pose (young adult novel), Atheneum (New York, NY), 1989, published as Family Picture, Scholastic (New York, NY), 1990.

Jelly's Circus (juvenile), Aladdin Books (New York, NY), 1989.

Big Base Hit, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1990.

Championship Game, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1990.

Line Drive, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1990.

Making the Team, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1990.

Pressure Play, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1990.

Rookie Star, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1990.

What a Catch!, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1990.

Winning Streak, Bullseye (New York, NY), 1990.

All Together Now, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1991.

Defense!, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1991.

Kickoff Time, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1991.

Play-Off, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1991.

Safe at First, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1991.

Stroke of Luck, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1991.

Superstar team, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1991.

Up to Bat, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1991.

Backup Goalie, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1992.

Nothing but Net, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1992.

Point Guard, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1992.

Psyched!, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1992.

Total Soccer, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1992.

Victory Goal, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1992.

(With Tom Hughes) Baseball Tips, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Random House (New York, NY), 1993.

End of the Race, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1993.

Go to the Hoop!, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1993.

(As D.T. Hughes) Lullaby and Goodnight (true crime), Pocket Books (New York, NY), 1993.

On the Line, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1993.

Quick Moves, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1993.

Shake Up, illustrated by Dennis Lyall, Knopf (New York, NY), 1993.

One-Man Team, Knopf (New York, NY), 1994.

Second-Team Star, Knopf (New York, NY), 1994.

Dog Detectives and Other Amazing Canines (juvenile nonfiction), Random House (New York, NY), 1994.

K-9 Crime Busters, Random House (New York, NY), 1994.

The Trophy, Knopf (New York, NY), 1994.

Find the Power!, Bullseye Books (New York, NY), 1994.

(With others) Great Stories from Mormon History, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1994.

Quarterback Hero, Bullseye Books (New York, NY), 1994.

Backup Soccer Star, Bullseye Books (New York, NY), 1995.

(With others) We'll Bring the World His Truth: Missionary Adventures from around the World, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 1995.

Team Picture (sequel to Family Pose), Atheneum (New York, NY), 1996.

Brad and Butter Play Ball (juvenile), illustrated by Layne Johnson, Random House (New York, NY), 1998.

No Fear, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1999.

Now We're Talking, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1999.

Grand Slam, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1999.

Bases Loaded, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1999.

No Easy Out, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1999.

Home Run Hero, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1999.

Play Ball, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1999.

Take Your Base, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1999.

Team Player, Atheneum (New York, NY), 1999.

A igreja mormon: historia basica, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 2001.

Soldier Boys, Atheneum Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2001.

Midway to Heaven: A Novel, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 2004.

All Moms Go to Heaven: Reflections, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 2005.

Search and Destroy, Atheneum Books for Young Readers (New York, NY), 2005.

Saboteur: A Novel of Love and War, Deseret (Salt Lake City, UT), 2006.

Contributor to books by others, including Monsters, Ghoulies, and Creepy Creatures, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins, A. Whitman, 1977, and Merrily Comes Our Harvest In, edited by Lee Bennett Hopkins, 1978; contributor of articles, reviews, and poems to numerous periodicals, including Dickens Studies Newsletter, Blackwater Review, Dialogue, English Journal, Averett Journal, and Cricket.

ADAPTATIONS:

Books adapted for audio include Troubled Waters, 2002, How Many Roads?, 2003, and So Much of Life Ahead, 2005, all Bookcraft (Salt Lake City, UT).

SIDELIGHTS:

Dean Hughes is a prolific and versatile writer who has written nonsense poetry, historical novels, a scholarly monograph, sports novels, children's stories, and young adult novels. A native of Utah, Hughes often profiles Mormons in his novels. His Under the Same Stars and As Wide as the River trace the life of the fictitious Williams family, early Mormons driven out of Jackson County, Missouri, because of their religious practices. Facing the Enemy completes the trilogy.

Hughes has written more than twenty sports novels. Most of these are found within three series: "The Angel Park Hoop Stars," "The Angel Park Soccer Stars," and "The Angel Park All-Stars." Critics have commented that Hughes distinguishes his plots with in-depth characters and realistic descriptions. In two of his baseball books, Big Base Hit and Making the Team, "readers witness respect, consideration, and personal growth" in the characters, according to Janice C. Hayes in the School Library Journal.

Another novel for young readers, Honestly, Myron, concerns a fifth-grader who wants to be a great man like Abraham Lincoln. The boy begins telling the truth at all times and soon finds himself in many sticky situations. Switching Tracks, unlike most of Hughes's other juvenile novels, is written in a serious tone. It describes the anguish of a young teen as he deals with the suicide of his father and the comfort he finds from an older gentleman in his neighborhood. A critic in Kirkus Reviews described Hughes's treatment of the "guarded relationship" as "touching but never sentimental or predictable."

Hughes has also written a series based on a fifth-grader named Nutty Nutshell. In Nutty for President, William Bilks is another fifth-grader who persuades Nutty, the class "goof off," to run for school president. During the campaign, William discovers Nutty's hidden talents, transforming Nutty from a bumbler into a confident leader. A critic for Kirkus Reviews described Nutty for President as "a standout in its class … snappy [and] well-grounded." In the School Library Journal, Steve Matthews commented that "the school setting and student interaction is well portrayed with recognizable character types."

Hughes's experience as a bellman at a hotel in Seattle became the basis for his young adult novel Family Pose. The book is about David, a runaway orphan who is befriended by Paul, a hotel bellman and recovering alcoholic. Because of his experiences in the foster care system, David is very reluctant to seek help or tell anyone about himself. A dedicated group of hotel workers, however, gradually helps bring David out of his shell. The novel was praised by a critic for Kirkus Reviews as being a "moving and memorable story" because of its "lovingly drawn characters and strong central relationship." These sentiments were echoed in Horn Book by Ethel R. Tichwell, who wrote that "the growing affection between Paul and David [is] well presented and gives the book considerable emotional impact." In the New York Times Book Review, Betsy Hearne noted that "the detailed setting and the subtly unfolded observation of each character in Family Pose give readers the uncanny sense of a life crisis relived."

Soldier Boys is a novel for young adult readers about two young men in uniform. Dieter Hedrick, a thirteen-year-old farm boy from Bavaria, is a Hitler Youth leader, and Spence Morgan, a farm boy from Utah, is a United States paratrooper. The story traces the events in the life of each as history leads up to World War II's Battle of the Bulge, when both young men experience fear and loss. The tragic high point of the novel is the meeting of the two on a snow-covered Belgian hill. Peter D. Sieruta wrote in Horn Book: "This book may linger in the reader's mind for quite some time."

A Kirkus Reviews contributor called Search and Destroy "simply written and taut." Rick Ward is a hopeful writer who joins the army in order to broaden his experiences. He is sent to Vietnam, where he is one of a six-member "search and destroy" team that hunts down and kills the enemy. Befriended by Preacher, an older man who teaches him compassion for the people of the country, Rick goes from day to day just trying to stay alive. Paula Rohrlick wrote in Kliatt that in addition to Hughes's antiwar message, "the special bond of soldiers who are willing to die for each other comes across clearly too."

Hughes once told CA: "In 1980 I took a leave of absence from teaching and wrote full time. I wrote and sold five books in that year. I extended my leave, and now I plan to stay with full-time writing, although I do some editing and teach technical writing. I try to raise serious questions for young readers, often in the context of a humorous book. How does America elect its leaders? Is honesty really possible? Can you avoid greed in business? These are some of the kinds of questions I have tried to get young people thinking about. Some of my books are about Mormons, but I don't think they are only for Mormons."

Hughes added: "I think I'm gradually becoming known as the Nutty author. I am getting quite a few letters from young readers these days, and most of them mention that they like the books I've written about Nutty. Part of the reason may be that the Bantam Skylark editions—along with adoptions by children's book clubs—have taken those books to more readers than ever before. I also think that something about Nutty and his friend William Bilks seems both fun and real to kids who spend their days in school.

"Each time a new book comes out I add it to a shelf in my family room. I now have fifteen up there, with more on the way. That's very exciting and satisfying to me. I'm consulting less and writing more these days. I still hope that one day soon I'll be able to make a full-time living writing only fiction. But if I never do, I still have a great deal of freedom compared to people who go to work each day, and to me creating novels, while it is hard work, never seems like a job."

BIOGRAPHICAL AND CRITICAL SOURCES:

BOOKS

Twentieth-Century Young-Adult Writers, St. James Press (Detroit, MI), 1994.

PERIODICALS

Booklist, February 1, 2006, Ed Sullivan, review of Search and Destroy, p. 44.

Book Report, May-June, 2002, Judith Beavers, review of Soldier Boys, p. 56.

Horn Book, September, 1989, Ethel R. Tichwell, review of Family Pose; January-February, 2002, Peter D. Sieruta, review of Soldier Boys, p. 77; January-February, 2006, Betty Carter, review of Search and Destroy, p. 81.

Kirkus Reviews, May 1, 1981, review of Nutty for President; July 15, 1982, review of Switching Tracks; April 1, 1989, review of Family Pose; November 1, 2001, review of Soldier Boys, p. 1551; December 1, 2005, review of Search and Destroy, p. 1275.

Kliatt, January, 2002, Paula Rohrlick, review of Soldier Boys, p. 6; January, 2006, Paula Rohrlick, review of Search and Destroy, p. 8.

New York Times Book Review, May 21, 1989, Betsy Hearne, review of Family Pose.

Publishers Weekly, December 3, 2001, review of Soldier Boys, p. 60; September 15, 2003, review of How Many Roads?, p. S8; August 23, 2004, review of Take Me Home: A Novel, p. S16.

School Library Journal, February, 1982, Steve Matthews, review of Nutty for President; June, 1990, Janice C. Hayes, reviews of Big Base Hit and Making the Team; November, 2001, Todd Morning, review of Soldier Boys, p. 158; January, 2006, Jane G. Connor, review of Search and Destroy, p. 134.