Brought to you by
The Center for the Book
in the Library of Congress

Books & Related Info for

• Kids
• Teens
• Adults
• Educators & Parents

Resources

• The Exquisite Corpse Adventure
• Young Readers Center
• Classic Books
• Author Webcasts
• Contests: Letters About Literature
• Booklists
• Local/Community Resources
• National Library Service for the Blind and Physically Handicapped
• Events at the Library of Congress
• Ad Campaign
• Contact Us

Katherine Paterson Named National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

Katherine Paterson, two-time winner of the National Book Award and the Newbery Medal, was named National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by Librarian of Congress James H. Billington on Jan. 5, 2010. Paterson will serve in the position during 2010 and 2011; she succeeds Jon Scieszka, appointed in 2008, who was the first person to hold the title. Paterson has chosen “Read for Your Life” as the theme for her platform.

Katherine Paterson’s international fame rests not only on her widely acclaimed novels but also on her efforts to promote literacy in the United States and abroad. A two-time winner of the Newbery Medal (“Bridge to Terabithia” and “Jacob Have I Loved”) and the National Book Award (“The Great Gilly Hopkins” and “The Master Puppeteer”), she has received many accolades for her body of work, including the Hans Christian Andersen Medal, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award and the Governor’s Award for Excellence in the Arts, given by her home state of Vermont. She was also named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress.

Ms. Paterson is vice president of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance (www.thencbla.org ), a nonprofit organization that informs, promotes, educates and inspires the American public to pursue literacy for young people and support libraries. She is both an Alida Cutts Lifetime Member of the United States Board on Books for Young People (www.usbby.org ) and a Lifetime Member of the International Board on Books for Young People (www.ibby.org ).

Ms. Paterson’s most recent book is “The Day of the Pelican,” a moving, dramatic story of a refugee family's flight from war-torn Kosovo to America. It is the 2010 selection for Vermont Reads, a statewide reading program.

She and her husband, John, live in Barre, Vt. They have four children and seven grandchildren. For more information, visit www.terabithia.com  or Ms. Paterson’s Facebook  page.

Multimedia

• Katherine Paterson at the National Book Festival, 2008
• Katherine Paterson at the National Book Festival, 2004
• Katherine Paterson at the National Book Festival, 2001
• “Jacob Have I Loved” Slide Show

Katherine Paterson’s Literary Awards

Bread and Roses, Too
New York Public Library Best Books for Teen Age, 2007
Bank Street Best Children's Books of the Year, 2007
VOYA's 2006 Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers
Notable Social Studies Trade Book for Young People, 2007
Christopher Award, 2006
Parents' Choice Gold Medal, Fall 2006, Historical Fiction

The Same Stuff as Stars
Co-winner of the Paterson Prize, 2003
Honor Book for The Red Mitten, Judy Lopez Memorial, and Jane Addams Awards, 2003

Preacher's Boy
Parents' Choice 1999 Story Book Award
Jefferson Cup of Virginia Library Association

Katherine Paterson’s Awards for Her Body of Work

• Massachusetts Reading Association Lifetime Award
• NSK Neustadt Award (University of Oklahoma), 2007
• Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, Swedish government, 2006
• Literary Light, Boston Public Library, 2000
• Literary Light, Boston Public Library, 2000
• Living Legend Library of Congress, 2000
• New York Public Library Lion, 1998
• Hans Christian Andersen Medal for Writing, 1998
• Lion of the New York Public Library, 1998
• Who's Who in American Women, 1995 to present
• King College, Outstanding Alumnus, 1993-1994
• Education Press Friend of Education Award, 1993
• Anne V. Zarrow Award 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
• Kerlan Award, University of Minnesota, 1983
• University of Southern Mississippi Medallion, 1983
• U.S. Nominee Hans Christian Andersen Medal, 1979
• Who's Who in America, 1978 to present
• The Union Medal, Union Theological Seminary New York

  Visit Katherine Paterson
  on facebook