Chris Crutcher
Chris Crutcher: A Renowned Author, Activist, and Champion of Youth
Full Name and Common Aliases
Chris Crutcher is the full name of this celebrated American author, but he is commonly known as Chris.
Birth and Death Dates
Born on July 10, 1946, Chris Crutcher has been an influential figure in the literary world for over four decades. Unfortunately, his passing was reported on March 14, 2022 at the age of 75.
Nationality and Profession(s)
Chris Crutcher is a proud American, and his work as a novelist, poet, essayist, and advocate has left an indelible mark on the literary landscape. He was also a dedicated educator, teaching English in various schools across the United States.
Early Life and Background
Growing up in Boise, Idaho, Chris Crutcher's early life was marked by a deep sense of empathy for others. His experiences as a foster child and his observations of the social injustices surrounding him would later become pivotal themes in his writing. He developed a passion for storytelling, which he credited to the influence of Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway, authors whose works resonated with him on a profound level.
Major Accomplishments
Chris Crutcher's writing career spans numerous award-winning novels that have captured the hearts of readers worldwide. Some of his most notable works include:
_Staying Fat for Sarah Byrnes_ (1993), which explores themes of identity, morality, and self-acceptance.
_Dead Giant_ (2008), a poignant novel about a young boy struggling to cope with the loss of his mother.
His dedication to empowering young people through literature has earned him numerous accolades, including the prestigious Michael L. Printz Award in 1995 and the Margaret A. Edwards Award in 2000 for his contribution to children's literature as a whole.
Notable Works or Actions
Chris Crutcher's writing is not only a testament to his literary prowess but also a reflection of his unwavering commitment to social justice. His novels often tackle tough subjects like bullying, mental health, and racial inequality with sensitivity and nuance. Through his characters' struggles and triumphs, he aims to inspire young readers to challenge the status quo and strive for a more compassionate world.
Impact and Legacy
Chris Crutcher's impact on literature extends far beyond his own works. As an advocate for literacy and social justice, he has inspired generations of writers and educators to follow in his footsteps. His legacy serves as a powerful reminder that stories have the ability to transform lives and spark meaningful change.
Why They Are Widely Quoted or Remembered
Chris Crutcher's words continue to resonate with readers today due to their profound insight into the human condition. His quotes often offer advice on how to navigate life's challenges, emphasizing the importance of empathy, self-acceptance, and standing up for what is right in the face of adversity.
As a testament to his enduring influence, Chris Crutcher remains widely quoted and remembered as an author, educator, and advocate who has left an indelible mark on the literary world. His legacy continues to inspire readers of all ages to seek out stories that challenge them, move them, and ultimately help shape them into compassionate individuals capable of creating positive change in their communities.
Quotes by Chris Crutcher
Chris Crutcher's insights on:

Certainly working with teens keeps me up to date with language and with certain kinds of thinking.

Like I said before, Rudy says, it’s all about differences. Something about humans really doesn’t like them, when they are the very thing we should embrace. If someone’s different from you and it scares you or makes you mad, that’s God telling you to take a closer look. If you’re scared or mad, that’s about you, not about the person who scares or angers you.

Experience is the only teacher,” Hey-Soos says. “Even if I could have told you, it would have been a lecture. Why do you think kids don’t listen to their parents, or people don’t leave churches and do what the preacher tells them?

If humans are ever to understand one another, they will have to come to terms with the concept, and the reality, of relativity. In essence, that’s what the Earthgame is about. They will have to see how things look compared to other things. Once you understand that nothing exists without its opposite, you understand nothing is good and nothing is evil, that opposites actually hold each other up.

Of all my dysfunctional behaviors, she hates me putting empty containers back where they don’t belong. “I don’t care if you weigh seven hundred pounds the rest of your life and don’t stop picking your nose till you’re forty,” she told me once, “but if you put one more empty container anywhere but in the garbage, I’ll have you put to sleep.

He goes for people’s open wounds, then brings God in with air support. You have to agree, there’s a certain cowardice to that approach.

I figure if those things were in God’s jurisdiction, he’d do something different about them. But they aren’t. Those are in our jurisdiction.

I believe there was a big bang and that because of that we are all connected into infinity, and I know very little having to do with human beings that doesn’t also have to do with connection.

