Josh Berk

Josh Berk (born 1976) is an American author of books for children and teens. His first published Young Adult novel, The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin (Random House, 2010) won a Parent's Choice Silver Medal and was named "a best book of 2010 for teens" by Amazon and Kirkus Reviews. His first mystery for young readers, Strike Three, You're Dead was nominated for an Edgar Award in 2014.

Early life and education Berk was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. He grew up in Bethlehem, where both of his parents worked as librarians. He graduated from Drew University in Madison, New Jersey and also holds an MLIS from the University of Pittsburgh.

Career Berk began writing for newspapers and magazines, including The Morning Call in Allentown, Pennsylvania. He also published poetry in journals, including Black Bear Review and Thunder Sandwich.

His first young adult novel, The Dark Days of Hamburger Halpin, was published in 2010. It was described by School Library Journal as " coming-of-age mash-up of satire, realistic fiction, mystery, and ill-fated teen romance." It has also received acclaim for starring a deaf protagonist and its skillful handling of related issues. His second young adult novel, Guy Langman: Crime Scene Procrastinator, received positive reviews from School Library Journal, Booklist, and Kirkus. In 2013, Strike Three, You're Dead launched a series of baseball-themed mysteries for younger readers called Lenny and the Mikes. Strike Three, You're Dead was an Edgar Award finalist and a selection for the New York Public Library's 2013 "Books for Reading and Sharing". The second book in the series, Say It Ain't So, was published in 2014.

He has worked in public libraries since 1998 and was appointed as executive director of the Bethlehem Area Public Library in 2014. He has served as a professor of English, writing, and young adult literature at several colleges and is an active member of the Society for American Baseball Research.