Carter was born in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. He realized his talent for writing early in life when a story he wrote at the age of eight caused his sister to cry and, as he says, "It was like a flashbulb went off in the back of my head," [1]. Carter met his future wife and sometimes collaborator, Carol Shadis the summer he graduated from high school. "One beautiful June afternoon, I spotted a dark-haired girl on the bridge over the river.... And although it would take us nine years to tie the knot, we were in love almost from the first"[2]. Carter attended the University of Kansas on a Navy ROTC scholarship, earning a bachelor’s degree in English and humanities. Following graduation,Carter served five years as a Navy officer, receiving several commendations and a nomination for the Navy Achievement Medal. He was discharged in 1974 and from 1976 to 1980 Carter taught English and Journalism in Marshfield, Wisconsin. Since 1980 Carter has focused on his writing, living in Marshfield with his wife. He has two children, Brian and Siri, with whom he has collaborated. Brian is an intern architect in Portland, OR and Siri is currently attending the University of Wisconsin - River Falls for equestrianism.

Carter's eleven novels are praised for their realism, vivid characterizaton, and the courage displayed by their protagonists in the face of both external and internal obstacles. "I find myself constantly impressed with their courage. Despite all the problems -- both traditional and recently invented -- that fill the teenage years, the vast majority not only survive, but triumph," Carter said [3]. His protagonists have faced such disparate conflicts as alcoholism (Up Country), racial and identity confusion (Dogwolf), and diabetes (Between a Rock and Hard Place) often emerging with a newfound maturity and confidence. As Sheila's Dying, Growing Season, Up Country, Between a Rock and a Hard Place, Bull Catcher, and Wart, Son of Toad were named American Library Association Best Books for Young Adults. His Civil War novel, Bright Starry Banner, combining an epic sized cast from every level of the military with vivid narration won the John Esten Cooke Fiction Award from the Military Order of the Stars & Bars.In advice to aspiring writers on his website Carter advices students to focus on craft, use dialogue to push the action, and to write plainly whenever possible which are all hallmarks of his own writing. Carter's twenty non-fiction books for children cover a wide range of topics, including electronics, military history, the People's Republic of China, and Shoshoni Indians. He has also written seven highly praised children's picture books for and about children facing medical challenges. His daughter Siri collaborated on I'm Tougher than Asthma. Carol, a graduate of the Montana School of Photography, shot the photographs for several of the picture books, including Stretching Ourselves: Kids with Cerebral Palsy and I'm Tougher than Diabetes.