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Katherine Paterson

キャサリン・ペイターソン

Katherine Paterson

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1932-10-31 （Huai'an, Jiangsu, Republic of China (now People's Republic of China)）
Nationality
American
Languages
English, Chinese
Religion
Presbyterian (Protestant)
Residence History
China (Huai'an, Shanghai, etc.) → Winchester, Virginia, USA → Various towns in North Carolina, USA → Barre, Vermont, USA

Career

Occupations
Writer, Children's author, Educator
Active Years
1973-
Affiliations
National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance (vice-president), Library of Congress (Former National Ambassador for Young People's Literature)
Memberships
National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance
Influenced By
Chinese and Japanese cultures (childhood and study abroad influence), Christian education

Education

King College (now King University)
English
Degree: Bachelor of Arts
Year of Graduation: 1954
Country: United States
Graduated summa cum laude
Presbyterian School of Christian Education
Bible and Christian Education
Degree: Master's degree
Country: United States
Studied in a graduate program in Christian education
Union Theological Seminary (attendance)
Country: United States
Listed among alma maters; specific details unclear

Awards

Newbery Medal
1978
Work: Bridge to Terabithia
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALA)
Result: 受賞
Newbery Medal
1981
Work: Jacob Have I Loved
Organization: Association for Library Service to Children (ALA)
Result: 受賞
National Book Award
1977
Work: The Master Puppeteer
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: 受賞
National Book Award
1979
Work: The Great Gilly Hopkins
Organization: National Book Foundation
Result: 受賞
Hans Christian Andersen Award for Writing
1998
Category: 生涯業績
Organization: International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY)
Result: 受賞
Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award
2006
Category: 生涯業績
Organization: Swedish Arts Council
Result: 受賞
NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature
2007
Category: 生涯業績
Organization: The Neustadt Prizes
Result: 受賞
Children's Literature Legacy Award (formerly Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal)
2013
Category: 生涯業績
Organization: American Library Association (ALA)
Result: 受賞
Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
1996
Work: Jip, His Story
Organization: Scott O'Dell Award committee
Result: 受賞
Phoenix Award
1994
Work: Of Nightingales That Weep
Organization: Children's Literature Association
Result: 受賞
E. B. White Award
2019
Organization: American Academy of Arts & Letters
Result: 受賞

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

The Master Puppeteer

1975 Children's literature / Historical fiction

A children's historical novel set in Japan's Edo period, following a young protagonist confronting challenges.

Coming of ageCourageSelf-discovery

Bridge to Terabithia

1977 Children's literature / Realistic fiction with fantasy elements

A story about friendship, loss, and imagination. Two young protagonists create an imaginary realm, Terabithia, and their experiences—including tragedy—lead to emotional growth.

FriendshipLoss and griefImagination and redemption
Adaptations
  • [Television film] Bridge to Terabithia (1985) (1985)
  • [Feature film] Bridge to Terabithia (2007) / Gábor Csupó (2007)

The Great Gilly Hopkins

1978 Children's literature / Young adult

The story of Gilly Hopkins, a foster child whose defiant behavior and gradual emotional growth are portrayed with wit and pathos.

FamilyIdentityReconciliation
Adaptations
  • [Film] The Great Gilly Hopkins (2015) (2015)

Jacob Have I Loved

1980 Young adult / Family drama

A novel about sisterhood, jealousy, and self-actualization, following the protagonist's complex emotions and maturation.

JealousyComing of ageSelf-sacrifice
Adaptations
  • [Television film] Jacob Have I Loved (1989) (1989)

The Day of the Pelican

2009 Children's literature / Social issues

A book addressing war and refugee experiences, following an Albanian-Bosnian family resettling in the United States.

War and displacementFamilyResettlement

Bibliography

  • The Master Puppeteer (1975)
  • Bridge to Terabithia (1977)
  • The Great Gilly Hopkins (1978)
  • Jacob Have I Loved (1980)
  • Of Nightingales That Weep (1974)
  • Jip, His Story (1996)
  • The Day of the Pelican (2009)

Adaptations

  • Bridge to Terabithia - 1985 television film; 2007 feature film
  • Jacob Have I Loved - 1989 television film
  • The Great Gilly Hopkins - 2015 film (screenplay involvement by her son David L. Paterson)

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Plainspoken, empathetic narrationCombines treatment of tragic themes with understated humorRealistic approach in children's and young-adult fiction
Recurring Motifs
Lonely children / orphansLoss and renewalImagination as refuge

Legacy

Katherine Paterson is highly regarded in children's and young-adult literature, receiving major international and national lifetime-achievement and book awards (Hans Christian Andersen Award, Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, Newbery Medals, etc.). Her frank treatment of loss and growth has significantly influenced contemporary children's literature.

Academic Societies

  • National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance (involvement)

Archives

  • Library of Congress and related archival holdings

In Popular Culture

  • Film adaptations of Bridge to Terabithia (1985, 2007)
  • Film adaptation of The Great Gilly Hopkins (2015)

Quotes

  • Her books seem "to be filled with heroes of the most unlikely sort."
    Source: NSK Neustadt Prize lecture (2007) / World Literature Today (2008) (2008)

Trivia

  • Born in Huai'an, China in 1932 to Presbyterian missionary parents.
  • Her family moved 15 times over 13 years during her childhood.
  • Her son David L. Paterson was involved in producing and screenwriting for the 2007 film adaptation of Bridge to Terabithia.