Special Collections
Author Study: Katherine Paterson
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The Angel and the Donkey
by Katherine PatersonIn this story from the Hebrew Bible, a stubborn donkey delivers an important message from the angel and helps her master, a powerful curse-layer, save the Israelites from the King of Moab.
Angels and Other Strangers
by Katherine PatersonAminister, trying to help a boy find his father, winds up in jail on Christmas Eve. A mother copes with the death of her infant. A father searches for his runaway son. A widower takes in an outspoken foster child who tests the limits of his generosity. In unexpected ways that illuminate the true meaning of the Christmas story, these people put aside their loneliness and sorrows and fears and rediscover the joy of life. These inspirational stories are parables for today, voicing hope, celebration, and the mysteries of the human heart.
The Big Book for Peace
by Lloyd Alexander and Yoshiko Uchida and Jean Fritz and Charlotte Zolotow and Natalie Babbitt and John Bierhorst and Thacher Hurd and Steven Kellogg and Myra Cohn Livingston and Lois Lowry and Milton Meltzer and Katherine Paterson and Marilyn Sachs and Mildred Pitts Walter and Nancy Willard and Jean Craighead GeorgeThe wisdom of peace and the absurdity of fighting are demonstrated in seventeen stories and poems by outstanding authors of today such as Jean Fritz, Milton Meltzer, and Nancy Willard.
Blueberries for the Queen
by Katherine PatersonIn the summer of 1942, when Queen Wilhelmina of the Netherlands lives down the road from his family's house in Massachusetts, young William decides to take her some of the blueberries he has picked.
Bread and Roses, Too
by Katherine Paterson2013 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award
Rosa's mother is singing again, for the first time since Papa died in an accident in the mills. But instead of filling their cramped tenement apartment with Italian lullabies, Mamma is out on the streets singing union songs, and Rosa is terrified that her mother and older sister, Anna, are endangering their lives by marching against the corrupt mill owners. After all, didn't Miss Finch tell the class that the strikers are nothing but rabble-rousers--an uneducated, violent mob? Suppose Mamma and Anna are jailed or, worse, killed? What will happen to Rosa and little Ricci? When Rosa is sent to Vermont with other children to live with strangers until the strike is over, she fears she will never see her family again. Then, on the train, a boy begs her to pretend that he is her brother. Alone and far from home, she agrees to protect him... even though she suspects that he is hiding some terrible secret. From a beloved, award-winning author, here is a moving story based on real events surrounding an infamous 1912 strike.
Bridge to Terabithia
by Katherine Paterson and Donna DiamondAll summer, Jess pushed himself to be the fastest boy in the fifth grade, and when the year's first school-yard race was run, he was going to win.
But his victory was stolen by a newcomer, by a girl, one who didn't even know enough to stay on the girls' side of the playground.
Then, unexpectedly, Jess finds himself sticking up for Leslie, for the girl who breaks rules and wins races.
The friendship between the two grows as Jess guides the city girl through the pitfalls of life in their small, rural town, and Leslie draws him into the world of imaginations world of magic and ceremony called Terabithia.
Here, Leslie and Jess rule supreme among the oaks and evergreens, safe from the bullies and ridicule of the mundane world. Safe until an unforeseen tragedy forces Jess to reign in Terabithia alone, and both worlds are forever changed.
In this poignant, beautifully rendered novel, Katherine Paterson weaves a powerful story of friendship and courage.
Newbery Medal Winner
Brother Sun, Sister Moon
by Katherine Paterson and Pamela DaltonIn Brother Sun, Sister Moon, award-winning author Katherine Paterson re-imagines a hymn of praise originally written by Saint Francis of Assisi in 1224. Illuminated with the exquisite illustrations of cut-paper artist Pamela Dalton, this picture book offers a stunningly beautiful tribute to nature.
Celia and the Sweet, Sweet Water
by Katherine PatersonWhile journeying to find a remedy for her mother's illness, Celia and her grumpy dog Brumble encounter strange and threatening characters who have never known kindness.
Come Sing, Jimmy Jo
by Katherine PatersonWhen his family becomes a successful country music group and makes him a featured singer, eleven-year-old James has to deal with big changes in all aspects of his life, even his name.
The Day of the Pelican
by Katherine Paterson2013 Laura Ingalls Wilder Award
Meli Lleshi is positive that her drawing of her teacher with his pelican nose started it all. The Lleshis are Albanians living in Kosovo, a country trying to fight off Serbian oppressors, and suddenly they are homeless refugees. Old and young alike, they find their courage tested by hunger, illness, the long, arduous journey, and danger on every side. Then, unexpectedly, they are brought to America by a church group and begin a new life in a small Vermont town. The events of 9/11 bring more challenges for this Muslim family--but this country is their home now and there can be no turning back.A compassionate, powerful novel by a master storyteller.
The Field of the Dogs
by Katherine PatersonJosh, who has just moved to Vermont with his mother, stepfather, and new baby brother, must deal with the bullying of a neighbor boy and discovers that his dog, whom he hears talking with other dogs, is also facing a bully of his own.
Flip-Flop Girl
by Katherine PatersonUprooted following the death of their father, nine-year-old Vinnie and her five-year-old brother, Mason, cope in different ways -- one in silence -- but both with the help of Lupe, the flip-flop girl.
Giving Thanks
by Katherine Paterson and Pamela DaltonNewbery Medal winner Katherine Paterson and cut-paper artist Pamela Dalton give fans of all ages even more to be thankful for with Giving Thanks, a special book about gratitude. Katherine Paterson's meditations on what it means to be truly grateful and Pamela Dalton's exquisite cut-paper illustrations are paired with a collection of over 50 graces, poems, and praise songs from a wide range of cultures, religions, and voices. The unique collaboration between these two extraordinary artists flowers in this important and stunningly beautiful reflection on the act of giving thanks.
The Great Gilly Hopkins
by Katherine PatersonAt eleven, Gilly is nobody's real kid. If only she could find her beautiful mother, Courtney, and live with her instead of in the ugly foster home where she has just been placed! How could she, the great Gilly Hopkins, known throughout the county for her brilliance and unmanageability, be expected to tolerate Maime Trotter, the fat, nearly illiterate widow who is now her guardian? Or for that matter, the freaky seven-year-old boy and the shrunken blind black man who are also considered part of the bizarre "family"? Even cool Miss Harris, her teacher, is a shock to her.
Gutsy Gilly is both poignant and comic as, behind her best barracuda smile, she schemes against them and everyone else who tries to be friendly. The reader will cheer for her as she copes with the longings and terrors of always being a foster child.
Katherine Paterson, winner of the 1978 Newbery Medal for Bridge to Terabithia and of the 1977 National Book Award for The Master Puppeteer, again reaches across boundaries with her wit, compassion, and love, and here creates an immensely engaging story about a child's desperate search for a place to call home.
Newbery Honor book
Winner of the National Book Award
Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Honor Book
Jacob Have I Loved
by Katherine Paterson"Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated . . ."
With her grandmother's taunt, Louise knew that she, like the biblical Esau, was the despised elder twin. Caroline, her selfish younger sister, was the one everyone loved.
Growing up on a tiny Chesapeake Bay island in the early 1940s, angry Louise reveals how Caroline robbed her of everything: her hopes for schooling, her friends, her mother, even her name.
While everyone pampered Caroline, Wheeze (her sister's name for her) began to learn the ways of the watermen and the secrets of the island, especially of old Captain Wallace, who had mysteriously returned after fifty years.
The war unexpectedly gave this independent girl a chance to fulfill her childish dream to work as a watermen alongside her father. But the dream did not satisfy the woman she was becoming. Alone and unsure, Louise began to fight her way to a place where Caroline could not reach.
Renowned author Katherine Paterson here chooses a little-known area off the Maryland shore as her setting for a fresh telling of the ancient story of an elder twin's lost birthright.
Newbery Medal Winner
Jip, His Story
by Katherine PatersonWhile living on a Vermont poor farm during 1855 and 1856, Jip learns his identity and that of his mother and comes to understand how he arrived at this place.
Winner of the Scott O'Dell Award for Historical Fiction
The King's Equal
by Katherine PatersonA king, on his deathbed, declared his son as his heir but only after he is married to a woman who is equal top him in every sense - beauty, brains and wealth. Rosamund seems to be equal to him but before he marries her she has a condition.
Lyddie
by Katherine PatersonWhen ten-year-old Lyddie and her younger brother are hired out as servants to help pay off their family farm's debts. Lyddie is determined to find a way to reunite her family. A story of determination and personal growth, "Lyddie" has already established itself as a classic.
Marvin One Too Many
by Katherine PatersonMarvin's first day at school does not go well. He feels that he is not wanted because his new teacher exclaims when meeting him, "One more? That is one too many!" He feels left out when the rest of his class learns to read before him, and that he cannot go to his parents for help as they are too busy with the dairy farm. This is an excellent book for all children who have trouble learning how to read, or who think they are on their own in life. With the help of his older sister and his parents, Marvin does learn how to read and fully participate in class. He feels better about himself and learns that his parents do have time to spend reading with him after all.
Marvin's Best Christmas Present Ever
by Katherine PatersonChristmas is coming and Marvin is worried. He wants to make the best Christmas present ever for his parents. His sister May always makes great presents; Marvin's are never as good. This year Marvin is determined to make not only the best present, but one that will last forever. Katherine Paterson's heart-warming story and Jane Clark
Master Puppeteer
by Katherine PatersonWho is the man called Sabura, the mysterious bandit who robs the rich and helps the poor? And what is his connection with Yosida, the harsh and ill- tempered master of feudal Japan's most famous puppet theater? Young Jiro, an apprentice to Yosida, is determined to find out, even at risk to his own life.
Meamwhile, Jiro devotes himself to learning puppetry. Kinshi, the puppet master's son, tutors him. When his sheltered life at the theater is shattered by mobs of hungry, rioting peasants, Jiro becomes aware of responsibilities greater that his craft. As he schemes to help his friend Kinshi and to find his own parent, Jiro stumbles onto a dangerous and powerful secret....
Winner of the National Book Award
A Midnight Clear
by Katherine PatersonA collection of modern-day stories that portray the true spirit of Christmas in lives of the outcast, forgotten or ridiculed by society.
Of Nightingales That Weep
by Katherine PatersonThe vain young daughter of a samurai finds her comfortable life ripped apart when opposing warrior clans begin a struggle for imperial control of Japan.
Park's Quest
by Katherine PatersonPark's mother won't answer questions about his father, who was killed in Vietnam. She finally agrees to let Park visit his father's family in Virginia; although he doesn't find what he expected.
Parzival
by Katherine PatersonAcclaimed storyteller and Newbery medalist, National Book Awardwinner, and Laura Ingalls Wilder award recipient Katherine Paterson breathes new life into this classic tale of action, adventure, and romance.
Raised in the wilderness, Parzival knows nothing of his destiny as the Grail Knight--the one who is fated to seek the sacred vessel of hope and eternal life. To succeed in his quest, Parzival must struggle against countless obstacles. His triumphant story is one that will move readers to joy and despair, laughter and tears.