54 ratings | 13 reviews | avg rating:4.50

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Karl Beckstrand

Goodreads Author

Born

San Jose, CA, The United States

Website

https://premiobooks.com

Twitter

@premiobooks

Genre

Children's, Biographies & Memoirs, Young Adult

Influences

David McCullough, Tolkien, Harper Lee, Rita Ritchie

Member Since

September 2008

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College media instructor Karl Beckstrand has lived abroad, interned for a Massachusetts publisher and for Congress in D.C. He earned a B.A. in journalism, an M.A. in international relations and conflict resolution, and a broadcast/film certificate. He’s been a technical recruiter in Silicon Valley, a Stanford Hospital chaplain, a Spanish interpreter for Angel Flight (aviator nonprofit), and a rock band front man. He is the best-selling and award-winning author/illustrator of 27 multicultural/multilingual books and more than 60 e-book titles. His western survival thriller, To Swallow the Earth, won a 2016 International Book Award, and his works have been lauded by Publisher’s Weekly, Kirkus, The Horn Book, and School Library Journal. Raised ...more

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Karl Beckstrand’s books

Average rating: 3.78 · 1,045 ratings · 401 reviews · 64 distinct works • Similar authors

	The Bridge of the Golden Wood: A Parable on How to Earn a Living (Careers for Kids Book 4) by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author), Yaniv Cahoua (Illustrator) 3.52 avg rating — 242 ratings — published 2017 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Bright Star, Night Star: An Astronomy Story (Careers for Kids Book 3) by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author), Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author) 3.44 avg rating — 206 ratings — published 2014 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Agnes's Rescue: The True Story of an Immigrant Girl (Young American Immigrants Book 1) by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author), Veara S. Fife 3.93 avg rating — 75 ratings — 2 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	It Came from under the High Chair - Salió de debajo de la silla para comer: A Mystery (in English & Spanish) (Mini-mysteries for Minors Book 5) by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author), Jeremy Higginbotham (Illustrator) 4.19 avg rating — 52 ratings — published 2019 — 11 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Great Cape o’ Colors – Capa de colores: English-Spanish with Pronunciation Guide (Spanish-English Children's Books Book 5) by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author), John Collado (Illustrator) 3.98 avg rating — 47 ratings — published 2018 — 5 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Bad Bananas: A Story Cookbook for Kids (Food Books for Kids, #1) by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author), Jeff Faerber (Illustrator) 4.53 avg rating — 34 ratings — published 2011 — 8 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Muffy & Valor: A True Story by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author), Brandon Rodriguez (Illustrator) 4.39 avg rating — 31 ratings — published 2017 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Anna's Prayer (Young American Immigrants, #2) 4.88 avg rating — 25 ratings — published 2008 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	GROW: How We Get Food from Our Garden (Food Books for Kids, #3) by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author), Zanara (Illustrator) 4.04 avg rating — 26 ratings — published 2020 — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book (Stories Without Words 3) by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author), Jordan C. Brun (Illustrator) really liked it 4.00 avg rating — 25 ratings — 3 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

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61 posts
Karl Beckstrand's Blog

Dad

I was going to write about dads and grads—but didn’t make it. My father passed away a few days ago and I wanted to write a bit about him.

He was a big scary guy when I was a tot. He loved motorcycles and sports (and I didn’t). He wasn’t perfect, but he was present when a lot of other people’s dads were off “finding themselves.”

I won’t quote statistics on the socio-economic advantages to having a da

Series by Karl Beckstrand

Careers for Kids (4 books)
by

Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author),

John Collado (Illustrator)

3.55 avg rating — 513 ratings

Mini-Mysteries for Minors (5 books)
by

Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author),

Jeremy Higginbotham (Illustrator)

3.92 avg rating — 134 ratings

Young American Immigrants (3 books)
by

Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author)

4.23 avg rating — 111 ratings

Food Books for Kids (4 books)
by

Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author),

Alycia Mark (Illustrator),

Jeff Faerber (Illustrator),

David Hollenbach (Illustrator)

4.24 avg rating — 67 ratings

Karl is Currently Reading

Karl is currently reading

Gopher Golf: A Wordless Picture Book (Stories Without Words, #3)

by Karl Beckstrand (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Jan 20, 2021 10:08AM

Karl is currently reading

Major Problems in American Colonial History: Documents and Essays

by Karen Ordahl Kupperman

bookshelves: currently-reading

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Feb 18, 2019 09:58AM

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Karl’s Recent Updates

Karl Beckstrand wrote a new blog post Dad I was going to write about dads and grads—but didn’t make it. My father passed away a few days ago and I wanted to write a bit about him.He was a big Read more of this blog post »
Jun 27, 2025 03:18AM · like
Karl rated a book it was amazing Via Dolorosa: Christ's Path to the Cross by Trina Boice (Goodreads Author)	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
Inspiring! It’s like you have a personal guide for every step of Christ’s Via Dolorosa—with first-hand observations, photos, scriptures, and traditions to augment the experience. Can’t go? This book takes you there. I received a free copy of this boo ...more
Apr 20, 2025 10:09PM · 1 like · like · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Via Dolorosa by Trina Boice. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Via Dolorosa by Trina Boice <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Karl and 1 other person liked Mariana's review of Abundant Paths: Beyond Either/Or Thinking to Fulfilling Same-Sex Relationships That Last: "This book is so interesting. It is an enlightening guide that challenges traditional views on relationships and offers new perspectives on love and connection. The author, with a rich background in journalism, conflict resolution, and experiences fro" Read more of this review »
Nov 04, 2024 11:32AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Abundant Paths by Karl W. Beckstrand. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Abundant Paths by Karl W. Beckstrand <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Karl and 1 other person liked Mayra's review of Abundant Paths: Beyond Either/Or Thinking to Fulfilling Same-Sex Relationships That Last: "Abundant Paths is a wonderful book that I not only recommend but I will also take as a tool for improvement of my everyday life as a teacher and a human. This fantastic book by Karl W is not only thought out for members of the LGBTQIA community, but " Read more of this review »
Nov 04, 2024 11:31AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Abundant Paths by Karl W. Beckstrand. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Abundant Paths by Karl W. Beckstrand <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Karl and 1 other person liked Sweet-Unicorn's review of Abundant Paths: Beyond Either/Or Thinking to Fulfilling Same-Sex Relationships That Last: "This is "abundant paths". It was an interesting read exploring sexuality. If you wish to dive deeper into this kind of topic, it may be the book for you. Chapter 11 "authentic identity—the key to happiness" was a good chapter. I received a free copy " Read more of this review »
Nov 04, 2024 11:31AM · see review · preview book See a Problem? We’d love your help. Let us know what’s wrong with this preview of Abundant Paths by Karl W. Beckstrand. Problem: Details (if other): Thanks for telling us about the problem. Not the book you’re looking for? Preview — Abundant Paths by Karl W. Beckstrand <iframe sandbox id="wrongBookKindlePreviewScreen">
Karl liked a quote “There is no chance, no destiny, no fate, that can circumvent, or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” Ella Wheeler Wilcox
Apr 07, 2024 04:27PM · like · more quotes by Ella Wheeler Wilcox

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