Today, the Library of Congress’s Center for the Book and the Children’s Book Council announced that Katherine Paterson will be the new (and second) National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Paterson isn’t a stranger to the children’s literature world. She’s written close to 40 books and novels for children ages 8-14 and is both a two-time winner of the Newbery Medal and the National Book Award.
Paterson is taking over the National Ambassador reigns from Jon Scieszka, of the Stinky Cheese Man fame. While Scieszka focused primarily on ways to encourage reluctant readers (especially boys) to read, Paterson has said that her term’s theme will be “Read for Your Life” and that she will emphasize children and adults reading aloud together.
I adored Katherine Paterson’s books growing up. To this day, I firmly believe that everyone – adult or child – should read Bridge to Terabithia at least once. I re-read it once every year or so and it still makes me cry.
I also happen to think that she writes well for a diverse group of people. Her own background (born in China to British missionary parents, lived in Japan as an adult) gives her a unique perspective on the world and as a result, her books cover an impressive range of time periods, countries, races and religions. I personally love her philosophy on how reading can encourage all readers to learn about things they don’t know. She told the New York Times that she wanted “people to be reading about children of other places and other races and religions. I think novels are a wonderful way to do that because you get in somebody else’s psyche and you see things quite differently than the way you see things simply through your own eyes.”
The position of National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature was created by the Center for the Book and the Children’s Book Council in January 2008 to address the sharp decline in children’s reading habits. Ambassadors are chosen by the Librarian of Congress, based on recommendations from a selection committee. Ms. Paterson will hold the position for 2010 and 2011.
[Photo Credit: School Library Journal]
