Sixth Grade
Worksheets
Ally Carter
American author Ally Carter, pen name for Sarah Fogleman, has written numerous young adult fiction books as well as two adult fiction novels. She has interested readers with her enthusiastic style and storylines. Her Gallagher Girls series appeals to teenage readers who enjoy adventure and excitement. Carter has been recognized with a number of honors and awards and is continuing to write more books worthy of acknowledgment.
Carter was born in 1974 in Oklahoma and grew up on a farm bailing hay and working cows. Her father is a farmer and rancher, and her mother is an English teacher. She has one sibling, an older sister. She was a very active student, both in high school and college. She was involved in several student organizations and graduated as co-valedictorian of her high school senior class. As a college student, Carter attended both Oklahoma State University as well as Cornell University. She began writing screenplays largely because she liked movies. Upon graduation and prior to becoming a full-time writer, Carter worked in the field of agriculture, "the most non-literary major in the world."
Despite being a writer, Carter wasn't much of a reader growing up. She finds it embarrassing to admit that now. When she was young, Carter went through what she calls "a Nancy Drew phase." As she got older, however, she began to see the importance of books. Her all-time favorite book is To Kill a Mockingbird, and, according to Carter, it "always has been, always will be" the best book she ever read. It was Susan Hinton's The Outsiders, however, that stirred a desire in Carter to become a writer. Another book that made an enormous impression on her is Amazing Grace by Megan Shull. Carter also enjoys books by Dennis Lehane who writes mysteries for older readers. In an interview, Carter said about him, "He never disappoints, and I worship him." Other books she has enjoyed are Girls' Poker Night by Jill A. Davis and The Boyfriend List by E. Lockhart.
