Chad Morris is the coauthor of The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry, Virtually Me, Willa and the Whale, Mustaches for Maddie, and Squint. He is also the author of the futuristic Cragbridge Hall trilogy. He has won the Nebraska Book Award, The Utah Book Award, The Buckeye Children’s Book Award, and Foreword review’s Book of the Year Gold Winner. He has also appeared on CNN and the Hallmark Channel. He is married to his coauthor, Shelly Brown, lives in Utah, and has five children.
Praise for The Wild Journey of Juniper Berry:
"Make room on the bookshelf for a fantastic and unique middle grade story! ... Juniper's story is genuine, and her character is authentic to the reader. ... This book is a great addition to the upper elementary classroom or library and would be a fantastic read aloud." "Children's Literature"
"As she struggles to adapt to [her] new life, Juni finds out that she wants to make friends and that there are society people who care. This is a high interest book with a complex and compelling protagonist, that addresses mental health issues, the importance of family, connecting to nature, valuing different strengths, and standing up for what is right."-- "School Library Journal"
"Juniper's first-person voice and the many memorably developed characters she meets cultivate a feel-good story that reminds readers of both the pitfalls and the benefits of coexisting with others."-- "Publishers Weekly"
"Juniper is a marvelously developed character navigating extremely uncomfortable situations. Alayna, too, is developed with depth and care; she and Clara have their 'storms" (panic attacks) in common, for which they eventually get help. A fascinating, touching story of an off-the-grid family facing changes and the invisible threads that connect people."-- "Kirkus, starred review"
Praise for Virtually Me:
“A timely, feel-good tale of learning to accept oneself and others.” ―Kirkus
“Engaging novel... Beyond its wondrous simulations, at the heartfelt core of Virtually Me is the awkward, funny, and incomparable essence of being truly human.” ―Foreword Reviews
"Thought-provoking read. This discerning examination of middle school social dynamics provides emotional and insightful throughways to difficult conversations surrounding mental health, friendship, and perception of self via three empathetic protagonists striving to fit in and learning that it's okay to be oneself." --―Publishers Weekly
Praise for Willa and the Whale:
“Moving and buoyant, an insightful tale of grief, loss, and resilience." –Kirkus Reviews
Praise for Squint:
"Willa’s character offers emotional insight into the layers of grief experienced by someone who loses a parent, and builds empathy in young readers. This must-purchase may challenge readers to keep a dry eye." -School Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for Squint:
''Tale of loss and redemption...Likely to find an appreciative audience among young teens.'' ---Kirkus
''Pulls off the seemingly impossible; it is an empathy-building novel with a message that's fun to read. Flint is a sharply observant narrator. He is self-deprecatingly humorous rather than self-pitying, and he easily embodies the secret freakishness that many teens feel. Despite the book's dual medical issues, this is not a 'sick kid' book...it sends a strong message about making the most of what you have. The writing is perfectly tuned, trusting its audience enough not to hammer at its main themes. With its sophisticated themes and thoroughly likable main character, Squint takes on a lot and delivers beyond expectations.'' ---Foreword Reviews
''Flint and McKell are sympathetic protagonists with relatable concerns and issues. The challenges of middle school are leavened with humor through the 'Middle School Rules' sprinkled throughout the story. A moving story about friendship, loss, and seeing life from other people's point of view. Recommended.'' ---School Library Journal
Mustaches for Maddie is based on the story of their daughter who faced a brain tumor with humor and optimism. Praise for Mustaches for Maddie:
"A moving novel about a truly brave girl. Maddie is a wonderfully thoughtful, creative, and funny protagonist, with whom readers will identify as she grapples with her social and physical challenges. This poignant and uplifting novel is a good read-alike for fans of R.J.Palacio's Wonder." --School Library Journal
"Maddie's offbeat sense of humor is the heart of this story from spouses Morris nd Brown, which was inspired by their own daughter. Maddie learns to stand up for herself and face her fears head-on in this moving story of courage and heart. Morris and Brown balance the gravity of Maddie's illness with her buoyant imagination as she navigates the reality of the surgery she needs and the politic's of sixth grade." --Publishers Weekly
“The perfect balance of humor and heartfelt. Young readers will be inspired by this story of a courageous girl determined to face her troubles with a smile.”—Jennifer A. Neilsen, New York Times bestselling author
“Warm and witty . . . Shelly Brown and Chad Morris deliver a beautifully quirky story, honestly told, that is full of heart and love and power.”—Carrie Jones, New York Times bestselling author
“Based on the true story of the authors’ daughter, who was diagnosed with a brain tumor. Mustaches for Maddie is a good book to give to any kid who is facing challenges: whether it’s struggling with something in school or with something bigger at home.”—Jessica Day George, New York Times bestselling author
Chad Morris is also the author of the Cragbridge Hall series (The Inventor's Secret, The Avatar Battle, and The Impossible Race), a fantastic romp through a futuristic school. Books in this series won the Utah Book award and the Silver Foreword INDIES award for Juvenile fiction.
Praise for Cragbridge Hall:
“A cracking-good read that could make a thrilling movie” (ForeWord Reviews)
“Keeps the pages turning with inventive gadgets, mystery, humor, and danger” (Brandon Mull, New York Times Best Selling Author of the Fablehaven and Beyonders series.)
Chad also wrote one of the short stories in True Heroes: A Treasury of Modern-day Fairy Tales Written by Best-selling Authors. His story was based on JP Gibson, an amazing boy who faced cancer with courage, heart, and a basketball dream.
