About the Author
Katherine Paterson
Source: Turner Books
Katherine Paterson is an award-winning children’s author. Raised by Christian missionary parents in China, they fled from the Japanese invasion of 1937 and travelled to the United States before returning to China after the war. Her first language was Chinese; and despite difficulty with English she persevered to master the it and went on to graduate with honors from Kings College in Tennessee.
Over the years she has written numerous stories, although her most well known title is the acclaimed and (to some) controversial “Bridge to Terabithia,” which has been twice made into major films, most recently by Disney. The story was written for her son David, inspired by true events; one of his friends (Lisa Hill) was killed by lightening. In 2005, the author dedicated a tree to Takoma Park Elementary School in memory of Lisa Hill.
Raised by Christian Missionaries, holder of a Masters degree in religion, Sunday school teacher and herself a Christian missionary, it is ironic that “Bridge to Terabithia” has been accused of promoting an anti-Christian agenda.
Currently she resides in Vermont with her husband and is vice-president of the National Children’s Book and Literary Alliance. Although she is still an active writer, she limits her personal visits to her local area.
Over the years she has written numerous stories, although her most well known title is the acclaimed and (to some) controversial “Bridge to Terabithia,” which has been twice made into major films, most recently by Disney. The story was written for her son David, inspired by true events; one of his friends (Lisa Hill) was killed by lightening. In 2005, the author dedicated a tree to Takoma Park Elementary School in memory of Lisa Hill.
Raised by Christian Missionaries, holder of a Masters degree in religion, Sunday school teacher and herself a Christian missionary, it is ironic that “Bridge to Terabithia” has been accused of promoting an anti-Christian agenda.
Currently she resides in Vermont with her husband and is vice-president of the National Children’s Book and Literary Alliance. Although she is still an active writer, she limits her personal visits to her local area.
Rewards and Other Works
AwardsKatherine Paterson's work have earned tremendous recognition and numerous awards. For her literary efforts her accolades include:
NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature 2007 *Astrid Lindgren Award for Lifetime Achievement 2006 Literary Light, Boston Public Library 2000 Living Legend Library of Congress 2000 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Writing 1998 Anne V. Zarrow Award for Young Readers' Literature, Tulsa Public Library 1993 New England Book Award 1992 US Nominee Hans Christian Andersen Award 1989 Regina Medal, Catholic Library Association 1988 Children's Literature Award, Keene State College 1987 Scott O'Dell Award for Children's Literature 1982 US Nominee Hans Christian Andersen Medal 1979 The Union Medal, Union Theological Seminary New York National Book Award (1976, 1979) Edgar Allen Poe Special Award (1977) Newberry Medal (1977, 1981) Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction (1996) Hans Christian Anderson Medal (1998) Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (2006) |
Other Works by Katherine PatersonSince her debut to professional writing in the early seventies, Katherine has authored a long list of award winning novels:
Sign of the Chrysthanthemum (1973) Of Nightingales That I Wee; (1974) The Master Puppeteer (1975) Bridge to Terabithia (1977) The Great Gilly Hopkins (1978) Jacob I have Loved (1980) Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom (1983) Come Sing, Jimmy Jo (1985) Park’s Quest (1988) Lyddie (1991) Flip-Flop Girl (1994) Parzival: The Quest of the Grail Knight (1998) Jip, his Story (1996) Preacher’s Boy (1999) The Same Stuff as Stars (2002) Bread and Roses Too (2006) The Day of the Pelican (2009) |
Works Cited:
"Katherine Paterson." Wikipedia. 9 Dec. 2011. Web. 10 Dec 2011.