Katherine Paterson

  • 43

    Catalog books

  • 42

    Works

  • 1980 to 2009

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Katherine Paterson writes intimate, character-driven stories that probe loyalty, identity, and faith. From the sibling rivalry and coming-of-age urgency in Jacob Have I Loved to quieter, faith-inflected scenes in Who Am I?, her books foreground young people wrestling with belonging and moral choice.

Her range spans historical sweep and small-scale parable: Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom examines upheaval and conviction against a historical backdrop, while The Angel and the Donkey offers a short, contemplative tale. Paterson’s work balances vivid emotional detail with moral honesty and compassion.

Best Place To Start

Jip, His Story

Penguin Group USA • 1998 • standard commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Jacob Have I Loved (coming-of-age family novel) • Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom (historical epic) • The Angel and the Donkey (short illustrated tale)

Genres and themes: Coming-of-age • Family and sibling rivalry • Historical fiction • Faith and moral questions

Who this author is best for: For readers who favor emotionally honest characters, quietly powerful storytelling, and moral complexity in both contemporary and historical settings.

Start with Jacob Have I Loved for a clear sense of Paterson’s voice, then try Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom to see her handling of broader historical scope.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Jip, His Story

    Penguin Group USA • 1998 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1998 • 192 pages.

  2. Flip-Flop Girl

    Penguin Group USA • 1996 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1996 • 120 pages.

  3. Lyddie

    Penguin Group USA • 1995 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1995 • 192 pages.

  4. Rebels of the Heavenly Kingdom

    Penguin Group USA • 1995 • standard commitment

    It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

  5. Lyddie (Puffin Books) [Paperback] by Paterson, Katherine

    Penguin Group USA • 1992 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1992 • 182 pages.

  6. Jacob Have I Loved

    Rebound by Sagebrush • 2000 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2000 • 256 pages.

  7. Preacher's Boy

    Clarion Books • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1999 • 168 pages.

  8. A Bridge to Terabithia

    Puffin Books • 1980 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1980 • 144 pages.

  9. The Angel and the Donkey

    Clarion Books • 1996 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1996 • 34 pages.

  10. Who Am I?

    Eerdmans Pub Co • 1992 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1992 • 88 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • Flip-Flop Girl is the easier short commitment, while Jip, His Story asks for more reading time up front.
  • Flip-Flop Girl gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Jip, His Story leans later in the catalog.

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