Katherine Paterson was born in China in 1932 - she was the middle of five children. Her parents were missionaries and during her childhood the family travelled extensively. After graduating she was a teacher in Virginia and later she travelled to Japan where she lived for four years. She currently lives in Vermont, USA, with her husband John. The Patersons have four grown children, two of whom are adopted. She loves to teach, read and cook. Katherine Paterson is twice winner of the Newberry Medal- in 1978 for Bridge to Terabithia and in 1981 for Jacob I have Loved.