New Releases by Katherine Paterson

In a poignant and unflinching new realistic novel from the Newbery Medal–winning author of Bridge to Terabithia, a ten-year-old girl makes a deal with God for her father''s safe return from the Iraq War. Birdie has questions for God. For starters, why couldn’t God roll history back to September 10, 2001, and fix things—so the next day was an ordinary sunny day and not the devastating lead-in to two wars? Daddy has already been to Iraq twice. Now he’s going again, and Birdie is sure he’ll die. At the very least, she won’t see him again for a year, and everything will not be OK. (Why do grown-ups lie?) To save money, she, Mom, and baby Billy have moved to Gran’s, where shy Birdie must attend a new school, and no one but bossy Alicia Marie Suggs welcomes her. Doesn’t God remember how hard it was for Birdie to make friends at Bible Camp? Counselor Ron taught about Judgment there—and the right way to believe. Has Birdie been praying wrong? Why else would God break their bargain? Readers of all faiths and backgrounds, especially children of military families, will identify with and root for the unforgettable Birdie, given inimitable voice by a master storyteller.

Sing out, my soul, the wonder . . . Mary''s baby has arrived, and she can’t contain her joy! As Joseph sleeps, she examines her newborn’s tiny mouth, his wild hair, his little hands. Yet what’s most wondrous is that this child is not just Mary’s own but a gift that God has shared with everyone. Poetic text by Newbery Medalist Katherine Paterson and striking images by Lisa Aisato reveal the intimacy of that unforgettable night long ago, when the mother of Jesus was the first to welcome him into a world he would change forever. The Night of His Birth is a Junior Library Guild Selection. 2020 Moonbeam Children''s Book Award Winner - Gold Medalist, Holiday Category

A new hardcover edition of Katherine Paterson’s Newbery-winning favorite, Bridge to Terabithia. One of the stunning new Harper Classics editions of literary treasures. This Newbery Medal-winning novel by bestselling author Katherine Paterson has been a modern classic about friendship and loss for forty years. Jess Aarons has been practicing all summer so he can be the fastest runner in the fifth grade. And he almost is, until the new girl in school, Leslie Burke, outpaces him. The two become fast friends and spend most days in the woods behind Leslie’s house, where they invent an enchanted land called Terabithia. One morning, Leslie goes to Terabithia without Jess and a tragedy occurs. It will take the love of his family and the strength that Leslie has given him for Jess to be able to deal with his grief. In addition to being a Newbery Medal winner, Bridge to Terabithia was also named an ALA Notable Children''s Book and has become a touchstone of children''s literature, as have many of Katherine Paterson''s other novels, including The Great Gilly Hopkins and Jacob Have I Loved.

From her childhood in China to the moment she won her first National Book Award, literary icon Katherine Paterson shares the personal stories that inspired her children’s books. Told with her trademark humor and heart, Paterson''s tales reveal details about her life from her childhood with missionary parents, to living as a single woman in Japan, to raising four children in suburban Maryland with her minister husband. Read about the origins of such familiar characters as Leslie Burke and Janice Avery from Bridge to Terabithia, and go behind the scenes to the moments Katherine found out she won her many awards. Filled with personal photos and letters, this funny, heartwarming history from a legendary writer lets fans in on the making of literary classics.

A Stubborn Sweetness and Other Stories for the Christmas Season is a collection of modern-day short stories by Katherine Paterson, award-winning author of Bridge to Terabithia and The Great Gilly Hopkins- both loved by children and adults for over twenty years. This compilation includes stories of real-life people such as a shopping mall''s night watchman, a lonely widower, a pregnant teenage runaway, a political prisoner in China, a grieving mother, and a privileged American, who have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas because of loss, pain, greed or circumstances. Through unexpected and uplifting ways, each is reminded of the first Christmas story and the vision of hope and peace it offers the world. They realize that even in the darkness, the light and song of Christmas can be seen and heard. This heart-warming gift book, filled with stories of real people finding hope, courage, and faith amidst life''s circumstances, radiates the spirit of the season and reminds each of us what Christmas truly means. Originally written to be read during her church''s Christmas Eve service, this collection of holiday stories is perfect for individuals, families, and churches to read and share during the season.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

In 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.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

Houghton Mifflin Harcourt is publishing a monthly series of e-only essays to correspond with Katherine Paterson’s two-year term as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. The subjects of the essays include: writing and literature for young people, the wonder and imagination found within great books, common questions novice writers ask, and Katherine’s own personal experiences throughout her historic career.

With a star-studded lineup of writers, there’s a stage full of drama, comedy, and great storytelling waiting behind these curtains! Sharon Creech spoofs a publishing office in The Raven, and the environment fights back against overdevelopment in Susan Cooper’s The Dollop. Patricia MacLachlan puts a twist on detention in The Bad Room, and Katherine Paterson revives a classic fairy tale in The Billionaire and the Bird. Richard Peck has schoolboys doing their best to trick a spooky substitute in Effigy in the Outhouse, and Avi’s Not Seeing Is Believing has words playing tricks on everybody. There’s something for everyone in this all-star lineup.

Katherine Paterson''s remarkable Newbery Medal-winning classic about a painful sibling rivalry, and one sister’s struggle to make her own way, is an honest and daring portrayal of adolescence and coming of age. A strong choice for independent reading, both for summer reading and homeschooling, as well as in the classroom, Jacob Have I Loved has been lauded as a cornerstone young adult novel and was ranked among the all-time best children''s novels in a survey published by School Library Journal. "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, angry Louise reveals how Caroline has robbed her of everything: her hopes for schooling, her friends, her mother, even her name. While everyone pampers Caroline, Wheeze (her sister''s name for her) begins to learn the ways of the watermen and the secrets of the island, especially of old Captain Wallace, who has mysteriously returned after fifty years. The war unexpectedly gives this independent girl a chance to fulfill her dream to work on the water alongside her father. But the dream does not satisfy the woman she is becoming. Alone and unsure, Louise begins to fight her way to a place for herself outside her sister''s shadow. But in order to do that, she must first figure out who she is...

Near the Euphrates River, as Moses leads the Israelites in search of their homeland, a stubborn donkey delivers a message from an angel and helps her master save the Israelites from the King of Moab, in a richly illustrated tale from the Hebrew Bible. Reprint.

Angel''s dad is in jail and her mum''s abandoned her and her little brother at their great-grandmother''s crumbling farmhouse. Grandma can''t even look after herself, let alone two children, so Angel finds that it''s left up to her. In a dreary and lonely world there is only one bright spot - amysterious stranger who appears on clear nights to teach Angel all about the stars.* Katherine Paterson is an internationally acclaimed author who has won the Newbery Medal (twice), the National Book Award for Children''s Literature (USA) twice, and the prestigious Hans Christian Andersen Award

It is the year 1899 and a new century is fast approaching. Robbie Hewitt intends to get in as much living as possible between now and the new year, but his antics eventually entangle him in a dangerous scheme--one that holds the life of a man in balance.

More than twenty essays and speeches show Paterson's passion for reading, her ideas about writing, her spiritual faith, and her conviction that the imagination must be nourished.

Acclaimed 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.

In this amusing, eloquently told story, created by Paterson specifically for Russian artist Vladimir Vagin to illustrate with his beautifully detailed watercolors. After the death of her self-absorbed parents, a clever princess shows the peasants in her country how to make better lives for themselves.

Moving is not easy. Rosie is the meanest cow in the world -- and Marvin's best friend. When his family moves to a new farm, Marvin is sad and lonely . . . until he finds Rosie again. But now she's making a lot of trouble for everyone. Will she and Marvin ever adjust to the changes of a new life in a new place?

Written by Newbery, National Book Award, and Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal winner Katherine Paterson The Johnsons are becoming country music stars. They're on TV and the radio--and it's all because of James. His voice and his guitar playing bring the songs to life, and make the audiences beg for more. Most kids would love it. Not James. He's had to change his name to "Jimmy Jo," dress in clothes he hates, and turn into someone else. Will he ever be able to cope with the fame?

Modern-day stories about the true meaning of Christmas.

Uprooted 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.

An eleven-year-old foster child tries to cope with her longings and fears as she schemes against everyone who tries to be friendly.

"Eleven-year-old Park makes some startling discoveries when he travels to his grandfather''s farm in Virginia to learn about his father who died in the Vietnam War." --

An eleven-year-old foster child tries to cope with her longings and fears as she schemes against everyone who tries to be friendly.

In this classic novel, the friendship between young Jess and Leslie grows as they meet in Terabithia--their secret hiding place--and only ends with the tragic death of one of them.