Andreas Steinhofel is the author of numerous books for children and young adults. He has a degree in English and media studies from Philipps-Universitat Marburg and in Germany is a very well-known translator of children's books as well as being a scriptwriter and reviewer. The Centre of the World is his first book for Andersen Press. It won the prestigious Buxtehuder Bulle Prize for Best Young Adult Novel in Germany and was shortlisted for the German Children's Literature Award. Paul Four and the Schroeders, another children's book by the same author, was filmed and won 1995 the German Children's Film Prize.