Simplify the following text for a Grade 7 native English-speaking person.
Original: James Hilton ( 9 September 1900-20 December 1954 ) was an English novelist who wrote several best-sellers , including Lost Horizon and Goodbye , Mr. Chips .
Simplified: James Hilton ( 9 September 1900 â `` 20 December 1954 ) was an English writer . He wrote several best-selling novels including Lost Horizon and Goodbye Mr. Chips .