Katherine paterson biography for kids

Katherine paterson biography for kids: Katherine Paterson is the author of

There I was, four babies in just over four years two adopted and two home-madetrying to write but with no success. So she decided to take me to an adult education course in creative writing one night a week. Eventually the novel that I wrote in the course was published, and I had become a writer. Do I like being a writer? I love it. I work at home in my own study, wearing whatever I please.

I never have to call in sick.

Katherine paterson biography for kids: Katherine Womeldorf Paterson (born

From time to time, I get to go to schools and other places where I meet delightful people who love books as much as I do. But there are days when I wonder how on earth I got involved in this madness. Why, oh why, did I ever think I had anything to say that was worth putting down on paper? Eventually a character or characters will walk into my imagination and begin to take over my life.

Then the joy of writing far outweighs the struggle, and I know beyond any doubt that I am the most fortunate person in the world to have been given such work to do.

Katherine paterson biography for kids: As the daughter of

Skip to content Katherine Paterson is the author of more than 40 books, including 18 novels for children and young people. Awards ». Press ». FAQ ».

Katherine paterson biography for kids: Katherine Womeldorf was born

Videos ». Also from Katherine. Jip, His Story Parzival: The Quest of the Grail Knight The Same Stuff as Stars Bread and Roses, Too The Day of the Pelican My Brigadista Year Picture books The Angel and the Donkey The King's Equal Celia and the Sweet, Sweet Water The Wide-Awake Princess Blueberries for the Queen I-can-read books The Field of the Dogs After being persuaded, Paterson took an adult education course in creative writing during which her first novel was published.

Her first children's novel, The Sign of the Chrysanthemumwas published in It is a work of historical fiction, set in the Japanese medieval period; it is based on Paterson's studies in Japan. Bridge to Terabithiaher most widely read work, was published in Terabithia was highly controversial due to some of the difficult themes, but is the most popular book she has written.

Some of her other books also feature difficult themes such as the death of a loved one. In her NSK Prize Lecture at the University of OklahomaPaterson said she has spent the last "more than forty years" of her life as a writer, and her books seem "to be filled with heroes of the most unlikely sort. Paterson lives in Barre, Vermont.

Her husband John Barstow Paterson, a retired Presbyterian pastor, died in She has four children and seven grandchildren. Inshe released Bread and Roses, Too. She was inspired to write this book after seeing a photograph of 35 children taken on the steps of the Old Socialist Labor Hall in Barre captioned, "Children of Lawrence Massachusetts, Bread and Roses Strike come to Barre".

In JanuaryPaterson replaced Jon Scieszka as the Library of Congress National Ambassador for Young People's Literaturea two-year position created to raise national awareness of the importance of lifelong literacy and education. In JanuaryPaterson received the Children's Literature Legacy Award from the American Library Association, which recognizes a living author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made "a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children".

Citing Bridge to Terabithia in particular, the committee noted that "Paterson's unflinching yet redemptive treatment of tragedy and loss helped pave the way for ever more realistic writing for young people. As ofKatherine Paterson is a vice-president of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance, a non-profit organization that advocates for literacy, literature, and libraries.

In Paterson's novels, her youthful protagonists face crises by which they learn to triumph through self-sacrifice. Paterson, unlike many other authors of young adult novels, tackles themes often considered to be adult, such as death and jealousy. Although her characters face dire situations, Paterson writes with compassion and empathy. Amidst her writing of misery and strife, Paterson interlaces her writing with wry wit and understated humor.