Katherine Patterson
Born: 1932, Quig Jiang, Jiangsu, China
Education: She attended Kings College in Bristol, Tennessee and later graduate school in Richmond, Virginia.
Tie to Virginia: Graduate school
A Few Interesting Facts:
Her parents were Christian missionaries to China.
By age 15, her family had already moved 15 times.
She was so afraid of failing, or of not being the best, that it took her nine years to publish her first book.
Often younger readers disagree with her stories’ endings.
When she was younger, she never wanted to be an author. She wanted to be a movie start or a missionary.
A Few Books Published:
Awards:
Newbery Medal for The Bridge to Terabithia
Scott O'Dell Award
National Book Award for Children's Literature
American Book Award
American Library Association's Best Books for Young Adults Award
New York Times Outstanding Books of the Year Award
School Library Journal Best Books Award
Children's Book Council's Children's Choice Award
Edgar Allan Poe Award runner-up from the Mystery Writers of America
Hans Christian Anderson Award
(and many more)
Websites:
http://www.terabithia.com/
(her official website)