Katherine Paterson - 1932
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By CourtneyChilhowie High School, Virginia
I. Personal Biography
Katherine Paterson attended King College in Bristol, Tennessee where she enjoyed studying English and American Literature. She received her bachelor's degree in 1954.
The following year, Paterson taught at an elementary school in the northern part of Virginia. She then attended the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in Richmond,
Virginia and received her master's degree in 1957. Between the years of 1957 and 1959, Paterson did postgraduate work at the Naganuma School of the Japanese Language in
Kobe, Japan. Paterson's childhood dream was always to be a missionary to the country of China ("People Are Always Asking" 2). However in 1957, China was closed to all
Americans and Paterson was not able to go to China. A friend of Katherine's convinced her to travel to Japan, although as a child, she was terrified of the Japanese because they
were the enemies ("People Are Always Asking" 2). She was convinced by her friend to forget about all her childhood fears and become a missionary to Japan. Paterson fell in
love with Japan and had intentions to live there for the rest of her life ("People Are Always Asking" 2). However, to further her education, she returned to the United States in 1961 to
study for a year. She earned a second master's degree at the Union Theological Seminary in New York, New York in 1962. While in New York, Katherine Paterson met John Barstow, a Presbyterian Minister.
Meeting this man changed the direction of Paterson's life. After falling deeply in love, the two were married on July 14, 1962. The newlywed couple moved to Takoma Park, Maryland
and raised four children, two sons and two adopted daughters. Their children are John Barstow jr., David Lord, Elizabeth Po Lin, and Mary Katherine.
Paterson actually began professionally writing in 1964 ("People Are Always Asking" 3). At her husband's church, she was offered a job of writing some curriculum materials for the
fifth and sixth grade students. Paterson took the job and began writing. In the near future, John and Katherine moved three more times and she was enjoying every last minute of
writing ("People Are Always Asking" 3). She soon came to the conclusion that she did not want to write nonfiction, but instead, fiction, which is what she loved to read ("People
Are Always Asking" 3). While raising a family, Paterson found herself constantly writing, however, nothing was being published. After seeing Paterson's misfortune, a friend of
hers took her to an education course once a week on writing creatively. After awhile, the novel that Paterson had wrote while taking the course was published and her dreams were
beginning to come true. She was on her way to becoming a famous writer. Since Paterson had spent several years living in Japan as a missionary, she had become
very accustomed to the culture there and it was very much a part of her. Her first three novels were all set in Japan and they were The Sign of the Chrysanthemum, Of Nightingales That Weep, and The Master Puppeteer
("Paterson" Microsoft Encarta 1). Paterson's books deal with adolescents and teenagers who are thrown into the adult world at an early age. She often writes about solitude teenagers who shield themselves from
most people or orphans who must live a life without their biological family. Much of Paterson's writing style, such as this, reflects upon her own experiences as a child, such as
the loneliness and separation that she felt while moving away so many times and living as an American in the foreign country of China ("Katherine Womeldorf"). She developed a
unique imagination while coping with her ever-changing environment. This unique imagination led to her successful career in writing. Paterson has also translated Japanese
fairy tales and has written about children's literature. Paterson's strong religious faith and experiences in China and Japan are credited to her successful writing style, as well as, her
strong moral character ("Morris" 1). As a child, Katherine Paterson did not consider becoming writer, but little did she know that writing would become her future career. She continuously blossomed as a writer from
the time she was an elementary school-aged child to the present day. Her works have received numerous awards. Katherine Paterson has had a very successful life as a writer.
And she quotes, "I know beyond any doubt that I am the most fortunate person in the world to have been given such a work to do" (qtd. in "People Are Always Asking" 4). II. Norfolk, Virginia Paterson has been connected to Virginia since she was
a child. After moving back to the United States from China, Paterson's family settled in Winchester, Virginia before Paterson began college. Before becoming a missionary to Japan, Paterson taught at a public school
in Lovettsville, Virginia. While teaching there, Paterson had some wonderful experiences, so wonderful, that the town of Lovettsville was the setting for the book, Bridge to Terabithia
. Paterson also spent two years in Richmond attending graduate school. After spending a large part of her life in Virginia while growing up, Katherine returned and resides in Norfolk, Virginia with her family.
III. List of Works Justice For All People (1973) IV. Bridge to Terabithia V. Interview "Many people and books have had a lot of influence on me, but I suppose I would have to
say that my husband has had the most influence." "I am a Christian, so that conviction will pervade the book even when I make no conscious
effort to teach or preach. Grace and hope will inform everything I write." "I love to read. I love to sing. I play both the piano and tennis badly, but still like to do
them. I like some movies and some TV. My latest interest is pastels." VI. Famous Quotes by Katherine Paterson
"A great novel is a kind of conversion experience. We come away from it changed." (Creative Quotations) " Peace is not won by those who fiercely guard their differences but by those, who with
open minds and hearts, seek out connections." (Creative Quotations) " The name we give to something shapes our attitude toward it." (Creative Quotations)
" To fear is one thing. To let fear grab you by the tail and swing you around is another." (Creative Quotations) " Youth is a mortal wound." (Creative Quotations)
" My gift seems to be that I am one of those fortunate people who can, if she works hard at it, uncover a story that children will enjoy." (Junior Discovering Authors)
" My aim is to engage young readers in the life of a story which came out of me but which is not mine, but ours. I don't just want a young reader's time or attention. I want his life. I
want his senses, his imagination, his intellect, his emotions, and all the experiences he has known breathing life into the words upon the page. It doesn't matter how high my aim or
how polished my craft. I know that without the efforts of my reader, I have accomplished nothing…I have not written a book for children unless the book is brought to life by the
child who reads it." (Junior Discovering Authors) " I have a rejected child, a jealous and jilted adolescent inside who demands, if not
revenge, a certain degree of satisfaction. I am sure it is she, or should I say they, who keep demanding that I write for them." (Junior Discovering Authors)
" I keep learning that if I am willing to go deep into my own heart, I am able, miraculously, to touch other people at the core." (Junior Discovering Authors)
" I always knew I was worth something because I had many wonderful friends who knew all my faults and failings and they still cared for me." (Morris) VII. Additional Links
There are many links on the internet that you can go to in order to learn more about Katherine Paterson. The following are a few of those links. VIII. Facts about Katherine Paterson ~ a Democrat IX. How to Contact Katherine Paterson
You can contact Katherine Paterson at the following address: X. Bibliography "Author Bio: Katherine Paterson." Alexlibris.
"Awards and Recognition." Katherine Paterson's Official Website. n.d. Beetz, Kirk H., and Suzanne Niemeyer, eds. Beacham Publishing Inc., pbs. Katherine Paterson. 5 vols Washington, D.C., 1990.
"Frequently Asked Questions." Katherine Paterson's Official Website. n.d. "Katherine Paterson." Creative Quotations. 1996-2000. "Norfolk." City of Norfolk, VA. 2000.
Paterson, Katherine. Bridge To Terabithia. Toronto: Fitzhenry and Whiteside Limited, 1977. "Paterson, Katherine." Discovering Authors. CD-ROM. Detroit, MI: Gale Research Inc., 1993.
Paterson, Katherine. Jacob Have I Loved. New York: Harper, 1980. "Paterson, Katherine." Microsoft Encarta Online Encyclopedia 2000. n.d. "People Are Always Asking Me Questions I Don't Have Answers For." Katherine Paterson Official Website. n.d. Virginia Center for the Book. 20th Century Virginia Authors. Richmond, VA. 1994.
This essay was submitted by Courtney, a student in Jean Hamm's Dual Credit English class at Chilhowie High School, Chilhowie, Virginia.
Katherine Paterson, pictured at right ("People Are Always
Asking"), was born in Qing Jiang, China on October 31, 1932. Her parents, George Raymond and Mary Womeldorf, were missionaries in China at that time. Since Paterson was raised in a
Christian environment, she began to develop a strong religious faith ("Morris" 1). While living in China, Paterson became very fluent in speaking the Chinese language and developed a unique
understanding of the Chinese culture ("Morris" 1). In 1940, during World War II, the Paterson family moved into the United States, living in Virginia, North Carolina, and West Virginia. By
the time that Paterson was eighteen years old, her family had moved eighteen times. Paterson's childhood consisted of having to deal with the inconveniences of continuously moving and
leaving friends and lifestyles. She often wrote stories to overcome the loneliness that she felt inside ("Katherine Womeldorf"). While in school, Paterson often wrote plays that classmates would act out.
After living in Takoma Park, Maryland for several years, the Paterson's moved to Norfolk, Virginia, where they
are now living. Paterson still continues to write and she also tours, lecturing about children's literature.
Norfolk, Virginia was founded in 1682. It is an important shipbuilding, shown in upper and
lower left, and shipping center of Hampton Roads, one of the best harbors in the world and lies south of Washington D.C. on the coast of the Atlantic ocean ("Norfolk"). Norfolk is the location of America's
largest naval installation, the Norfolk Naval Base. Some of the major industries of Norfolk include: building and repair of ships, assembling of automobiles, and the production of fertilizer.
The Virginia State College and parts of the College of William and Mary and the Virginia Polytechnic Institute are located
in Norfolk. The Museum of Arts and Sciences and the Norfolk Public Library are some more educational and cultural places located in Norfolk. Downtown Norfolk is pictured in the middle left ("Norfolk").
To Make Men Free (1973)
Of Nightingales That Weep (1974)
The Master Puppeteer (1976)
Bridge to Terabithia (1977)
The Great Gilly Hopkins (1978)
Angels and Other Strangers (1979)
Jacob Have I Loved (1980)
Gates of Excellence: On Reading and Writing Books for Children (1981)
Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom (1983)
Come Sing, Jimmy Jo (1985)
Consider the Lilies (1986)
Park's Quest (1988)
The Spying Heart (1989)
Tale of the Mandarin Ducks (1990)
Lyddie (1991)
Sign of the Chrysanthemum (1991)
The Smallest Cow in the World (1991)
The Kings' Equal (1992)
Who Am I? (1992)
Flip-Flop Girl (1994)
A Sense of Wonder: On Reading and Writing Books for Children (1995)
The Angel and the Donkey (1996)
Jip, His Story (1997)
Marvin's Best Christmas Present Ever (1997)
A Midnight Clear: Family Stories for the Christmas Season (1998)
Celia and the Sweet, Sweet Water (1998)
Images of God (1998)
Parzival, The Quest of the Grail Knight (1998)
Preacher's Boy (1999)
The Wide Awake Princess (2000)
Bridge to Terabithia
was about a young boy, Jess Aarons, who become best friends with Leslie Burke. Jess was concerned about being the fastest runner at Lark Creek Elementary School and he realized this
was going to be harder when the new girl, Leslie, moves to their school. Leslie, does indeed, become the fastest runner at their school, but that doesn't stop the friendship that blossoms between Jess and Leslie.
They develop a special bond which only the two of them can share. They discover a place of their very own in the woods and call it Terabithia, where they are king and queen. At Terabithia, they are free
to let their imaginations run wild as they defeat evil ghosts to save their enchanted kingdom. Both Jess and Leslie learn something from one another. Leslie helps
Jess to be more brave and Jess simply gives Leslie a wonderful friendship. They appreciate one another for who they are and respect the qualities of eachother. Even when
the other kids make fun of them at school, they have their friendship to keep them together. They are always there to help each other through tough situations, such as when an older
kid is a bully or when certain fears are hard to overcome. In the spring, Leslie goes out to Terabithia alone and as she swings across the creek on the rope that they built, she falls
and apparently hits her head and suddenly dies. This is unexpected for everyone, especially for Jess. It is hard for him to cope without Leslie in his life but he courageously
decides to continue playing in Terabithia and he chooses to make his little sister, May Belle, the new queen of Terabithia. Even though it is a struggle, Jess is appreciative of the
time he did have with Leslie and looks forward to keeping all of their memories together locked safely within his heart.
Katherine Paterson was interviewed by children and educators on the internet. She was asked many interesting questions that revealed much
about her. From reading this interview, you will find out who had the greatest influence on Paterson's life as a writer, what ways her religious conviction affects her writing, her
favorite book/author/illustrator as a child, her hobbies and interests, and when she knew she wanted to be a writer. There are also many more interesting questions that were asked. Take a
look at this interview for your questions about Katherine Paterson. Go to:
-Katherine Paterson
-Katherine Paterson
-Katherine Paterson
-This is Katherine Paterson's Official Website. Here you can read her biography, a recent interview with Paterson, a list of her works and publication dates, upcoming events
concerning Paterson, and the awards and honors that she has received.
http://www.encarta.msn.com
This will take you to the Encarta Encyclopedia online where you can read Paterson's
biography. Her educational career and some of her works and publication dates are discussed.http://www.norfolk.va.us/home.htm
At this site, you can find some useful information about the city of Norfolk, Virginia, where Paterson is presently living. http://www.king.edu
Learn more about the first college that Paterson attended by going to this website. Here you can learn all about the academics, administration, athletics, Mission Outreach program,
and student life at King College, plus many more topics concerning King.
http://www.union-psce.edu
Go to this link to learn more about the Union Theological Seminary and Presbyterian
School of Christian Education in Richmond, Virginia. You can read about the school's leadership development, courses that are offered, alumni, faculty, and admissions.http://www.worldwide.edu/japan/naganuma/index.html
Go to this link to discover what courses and types of training are offered at the Naganuma School of Japanese Language in Kobe, Japan.http://www.uts.columbia.edu/
By going to this link, you can read up on some interesting facts about the Union Theological Seminary in New York City. This school of training is an independent,
nondenominational, graduate theological school where their mission is to education Christian women and men for Christian ministries.http://www.amazon.com
Take a look at this site if you have any interest in purchasing certain books written by
Katherine Paterson.
~ of the Presbyterian faith
~ hobbies include: reading, sailing, swimming, and tennis
~ most loves to read fiction of all types of literature
~ never wanted to be a writer when she was a child or even a young adult and it wasn't
until later on in life when she came to the conclusion that writing was what she was born to do
~ aim is to write so that the story and its characters take on a life of their own
~ believes that by reading fiction, young readers are able to experience life at a safe distance while preparing themselves for experiences later on in their very own lives
C/O E.P. Dutton
2 Park Avenue New York, New York 10016