The character Nate was 'inspired' by Nathan Weinman, father of Marjorie Sharmat, who had previously 'featured' her mother and sister in a novel. Nate finds him in a field eating a stale pancake. He solves crimes with his dog, Sludge, introduced in the second case, Nate the Great goes Undercover (1974). Nate is a detective, a child version of Sherlock Holmes.

The New York Public Library named Nate the Great Saves the King of Sweden (1997, number 19) one of its '100 Titles for Reading and Sharing'. Several of the books have been adapted as television programs, one of which won the Los Angeles International Children's Film Festival Award ( Nate the Great Goes Undercover). Some numbers were jointly written with Marjorie's sister Rosalind Weinman, husband Mitchell Sharmat or son Craig Sharmat, and the last six were illustrated by Martha Weston or Jody Wheeler 'in the style of Marc Simont'. Sharmat and illustrator Marc Simont inaugurated the series in 1972 with Nate the Great, a 60-page book published by Coward, McCann & Geoghegan, and Simont illustrated the first twenty books, to 1998. Alternatively, Nate the Great is the main character and title character of the series, a boy detective. Also support the children’s reading comprehension, critical thinking, and writing.Nate the Great is a series of more than two dozen children's detective stories written by Marjorie Weinman Sharmat. Nate and his dog, Sludge try to find clues in the snow that will lead them to Nate's missing birthday present, which is very good lesson for children and teacher can make a lot of lesson on the concept of the story like, hide one or two thing in the classroom and give the children clues to find the missing thing. It is a great book has repetitive words, also keeps the attention of 5 - 6 year old children.

Sharmat received the Book of the Year three from the Library of Congress three times. It becomes favorite among children, parents, and librarians. In 1967, Marjorie published her first Children book. Her first published work was four-word slogan for the W.T. The great series has been translated into 11 different languages. Sharmat has been published in 13 countries. It contains more than 20 books about a young, pancake-eating detective. Sharmat is best known for her Nate the Great series. One play was even performed at the White House. Many of these books have received honors and awards and some were made into movies and plays. She has written more than 100 popular books for children and young adults.

Nate the great marjorie w sharmat