Katherine Paterson

Katherine Paterson is an award-winning American author of books for children.

She was born in China in 1932 to missionary parents. She graduated with a degree in English from Kings College, Bristol, Tennessee. She taught for a year at a rural school in Virginia before going to graduate school in Virginia. She received a Master's degree and worked as a missionary in Japan. She married her husband, John, in 1962. They have four children.

Her first novel was written while taking an adult education course in creative writing. Her awards include the National Book Award (Master Puppeteer, 1977 and The Great Gilly Hopkins, 1979), the Newbery Medal (Bridge to Terabithia 1978 and Jacob Have I Loved, 1981), the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction (Jip, His Story), and the Hans Christian Andersen Medal (body of work, 1998). Katherine Paterson believes children’s books should deal with contemporary, realistic themes. Some of her books feature difficult themes such as death of a loved one, the stresses of foster care, exploitation of workers, and slavery. Katherine Paterson lives in Vermont.

Juvenile and Young Adult Novels:

• Sign of the Chrysanthemum, 1973.
• Of Nightingales That Weep, 1974.
• The Master Puppeteer, 1976.
• Bridge to Terabithia, 1977.
• The Great Gilly Hopkins, 1978.