The invisible child : on reading and writing books for children / Katherine Paterson.

Format:

Book

Author/Creator:

Paterson, Katherine.

Language:

English

Subjects (All):

Children's literature--Authorship.

Children's literature.

Children--Books and reading.

Children.

Physical Description:

xiii, 266 pages ; 24 cm

Edition:

First edition.

Place of Publication:

New York : Dutton Children's Books, 2001.

Summary:

With the same generosity, wit, and insight that characterize her novels, Katherine Paterson, the two-time winner of both the National Book Award and the Newbery Medal, reveals who it is she writes about and for -- the invisible child, or the secret self that is opened up through fiction.

In more than twenty remarkable essays and speeches collected here, Ms. Paterson shares her passion for reading, her ideas about writing for children, her spiritual faith, and her conviction that the imagination must be nourished. Featuring seven speeches never before published in book form, the complete acceptance speeches for her two National Book Awards and two Newbery Medals, and a new introduction, this extraordinary volume also includes essays originally published in Gates of Excellence and The Spying Heart that Ms. Paterson has selected for reissue. Katherine Paterson's words are sure to touch all those who care about literature and the lives of children.

Contents:

In Search of Wonder 3

The Child in the Attic 25

The Invisible Child 41

Missing Persons 62

Confusion at the Crossroads 69

Still Summoned by Books 88

The Yearling and I 108

Metaphors to Live By 117

Hope and Happy Endings 134

The Story of My Lives 150

People I Have Known 162

Do I Dare Disturb the Universe? 168

Ideas 184

Sounds in the Heart 195

Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech (1981) for Jacob Have I Loved 207

Creativity Limited: Novels for Young People Today 219

Words 227

National Book Award Acceptance Speech (1979) for The Great Gilly Hopkins 240

Newbery Medal Acceptance Speech (1978) for Bridge to Terabithia 243

National Book Award Acceptance Speech (1977) for The Master Puppeteer 251

Laying the First Plank 253

Reading and Writing 257

Excerpts from A Sense of Wonder and Gates of Excellence 261.

Notes:

Includes bibliographical references (pages [263]-266).

ISBN:

0525464824

OCLC:

47002187