Daniel Kraus

Daniel Kraus studied at University of Iowa and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The recorded working language is French and English. The field of work recorded is American literature, film and documentary film. Places of work recorded in the authority are Chicago. Residence is recorded at Chicago and Fairfield. Employment is recorded with American Library Association and WECT. Distinctions recorded are Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and Bram Stoker Award for Superior Achievement in a Middle Grade Novel.

• Name — Daniel Kraus • Website — danielkraus.com/ • Education — University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign • Born — 7 June 1975 • Birthplace — Midland, Michigan, U.S. • Notable Works — * The Living Dead (2020) • Whalefall (2023) • Angel Down (2025) • Awards — Bram Stoker Award (2022) Pulitzer Prize (2026)

Kraus's debut novel, The Monster Variations, was published with Delacorte Press on August 11, 2009. The New York Public Library included the novel on their list of "100 Best Stuff for Teens" in 2010.

Kraus's second novel, Rotters, was published by Delacorte in on April 5, 2011. The novel was well received by critics. It won the Parents' Choice Award Gold Award, and was a finalist for a Bram Stoker Award. Booklist and The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books named it among the year's best books. The audiobook narrated by American actor Kirby Heyborne won the 2012 Odyssey Award. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) included it on their list of Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults.

Scowlers was published by Delacorte in March 2013. Booklist included the novel on their list of the year's "Top 10 Horror Fiction for Youth", and YALSA included on their list of the year's Best Fiction for Young Adults. The audiobook narrated by Kirby Heyborne was also well received. Booklist included it among their 2013 "Booklist Editors' Choice: Audio for Youth" and 2014 list of the "Top 10 SF, Fantasy, and Horror Audiobooks for Youth", and YALSA named it among their 2014 Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults. It also won the 2014 Odyssey Award.

Kraus co-authored Trollhunters with Mexican filmmaker Guillermo del Toro, publishing the novel with Disney/Hyperion in July 2015. The Association for Library Service to Children named the audiobook narrated by American actor Kirby Heyborne on their 2016 list of Notable Children's Recordings; YALSA also included it on their top ten list of Amazing Audiobooks for Young Adults. The novel was adapted into the Netflix animated series of the same name.

The Death and Life of Zebulon Finch duology, consists of At the Edge of Empire (2015) and Empire Decayed (2016). Entertainment Weekly included the first volume on their list of the best books of 2015.

Whalefall was published by MTV Entertainment Studios in August 2023. Booklist included the novel on their list of the year's "Top 10 SF/Fantasy & Horror", and Shelf Awareness named it among the ten best adult novels of the year. It also won a 2024 Alex Award from YALSA. The novel is being adapted into a film of the same name.

Angel Down was published by Atria in July 2025. The audiobook is narrated by American actor Kirby Heyborne. The New York Times included the novel on their list of the year's "100 Notable Books", and Booklist included it on their list of the year's "Top 10 SF/Fantasy & Horror". In December 2025, The New York Times named Angel Down one of the 10 Best Books of 2025. In January 2026, a film adaptation was announced. It will be the second feature film adaptation of Kraus' to partner with Imagine Entertainment. The novel was awarded the 2026 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.

Kraus was born June 7, 1975, in Midland, Michigan, and grew up in Fairfield, Iowa. He lives in Chicago with his wife.

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The Graveyard Girls trilogy is co-authored by Canadian writer Lisi Harrison. * * *

The Teddies saga is illustrated by Australian artist Rovina Cai. * * *

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