Karen Bass (writer)

Karen Bass (born 1962 in High Prairie, Alberta)^[1] is a Canadian writer of young adult fiction. Her 2017 novel Graffiti Knight won the Canadian Library Association Young Adult Book Award^[2] and Geoffrey Bilson Award.^[3] Her 2015 novel Uncertain Soldier also won the Geoffrey Bilson Award.^[4]

Bass was born in 1962 in High Prairie, Alberta and grew up on a farm.^[1] After attending the University of Alberta, she received a degree in psychology from the University of Victoria.^[5] In 2012, she was the writer-in-residence for the Peace region in Alberta.^[6]

Later, Bass managed a library in northwest Alberta for sixteen years before committing to writing full-time.^[1] In 2017, Bass moved to Hamilton, Ontario with her husband. Although she focuses on writing full-time, she also volunteers at the Hamilton Public Library.^[1] She is a member of the Canadian Society of Children's Authors Illustrators & Performers, Writers' Union of Canada,^[5] and Writers Guild of Alberta.^[1]

Three of Bass's novels are Junior Library Guild books: The Hill (2016),^[7] Two Times a Traitor (2017),^[8] and Blood Donor (2021).^[9]

In 2015, Bank Street College of Education included Graffiti Knight on their list of the best books for children ages fourteen and up.^[10] In 2017, the novel was included on CBC Books' "100 young adult books that make you proud to be Canadian" list in the thirtieth position.^[11]

• Run Like Jäger (2008)
• Summer of Fire (2009)
• Drummer Girl (2011)
• Graffiti Knight (2013)
• Uncertain Soldier (2015)
• The Hill (2016)
• Two Times a Traitor (2017)
• Blood Donor (2021)

• CBC interview with Chris dela Torre