King’s Institute for Faith & Culture (IFC) welcomes back esteemed alumna and Library of Congress Living Legend Katherine Paterson as part of the IFC’s fall speaker series, A Sense of Wonder.

Paterson, who graduated summa cum laude from King in 1954, has garnered a lifetime’s worth of national and international accolades for her books. She has twice won the Newbery Medal, for “Bridge to Terabithia” in 1978 and “Jacob Have I Loved” in 1981, and was awarded the National Book Award in 1977 for “The Master Puppeteer” and again in 1979 for “The Great Gilly Hopkins.”

She has written more than 30 books throughout her lifetime, and for the body of her work, she received the Hans Christian Andersen Award in 1998 and the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2006. She was named a Living Legend by the Library of Congress at the turn of the millennium.

On Monday, Oct. 14, Paterson will present “Speaking of Wonder” with two-time Newbery Honoree and #1 New York Times Bestselling Author Kimberly Brubaker Bradley at 9:15 a.m. in King’s Memorial Chapel. Bradley is the author of several best-selling middle-grade novels including “Fighting Words,” “The War That Saved My Life,” and “The War I Finally Won.” Her most recent book, “The Night War,” was published in April of this year.

That evening, Paterson will offer “A Sense of Wonder” at 7 p.m. at Emmanuel Episcopal Church. Both events are free of charge and open to the public.

“Anyone who has read Katherine’s books or had the good fortune to meet her knows that she possesses great wisdom and humor,” said Martin Dotterweich, Ph.D., director of the IFC. “On her most recent visit to King, Katherine helped us explore the importance of grace in creativity. This time, she will help us consider the role of wonder in artistic expression as well as the development of a thoughtful life. We are delighted to welcome her back to her alma mater, especially along with Bristol’s own Kimberly Brubaker Bradley.”

Paterson is vice president of the National Children’s Book and Literacy Alliance, an honorary lifetime member of the International Board on Books for Young People, and an Alida Cutts lifetime member of the United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY). In 2010-2011, she served as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. She has four grown children and seven grandchildren.