Gates of Excellence: On Reading and Writing Books for Children

A collection of essays, speeches, and book reviews written by the great Katherine Paterson – Gates of Excellence is a master class in being a writer of books for children. (Paterson would likely take umbrage with that statement and insist that she is a writer of books that children happen to like and that she is NOT a master.) Taking the stance that children are not silly, mindless creatures to simply be entertained but small humans with troubles and fears all their own, Paterson argues that children need literature that addresses those needs, gives them the tools with which to sort out the world in which they live, and, most importantly, gives them hope for the future. Several essays in particular stand out as instructive to those show more who write for children.

“Words” is a powerful exploration of the ways words can empower or marginalize. Drawing on her experiences with a language barrier while living in Japan as an adult, she likens the frustration she experienced at not being able to express herself to her Japanese friends and their misinterpretation of her fractured speaking to the frustration children or the illiterate feel at not being able to fully understand and communicate their wants and needs and opinions. Paterson argues that books for children must be written at a level that will give children the words they need to successfully navigate life; this is not done only by using good words, but by addressing serious issues such as death, unfairness, anger, war, poverty, etc. The essay also stresses the importance of reading (picture books and novels) aloud to children, especially those who struggle with reading, in order to show them that books are sources of enjoyment and enrichment.

In “Creativity Limited” Paterson addresses limitations and boundaries, both in terms of the life led by a writer and the form in which they choose to write. Citing questions she often gets about how she finds time to write despite the many demand on her time by her husband and children, Paterson asserts that these “limitations” are the “very boundaries that gave form to my life.” (32) She argues that it is the life lived by the writer that enables them to produce anything, making the limitations and boundaries necessary to creation. The essay then negates the claims of those who suggest that writing for children is limiting. Reviewing such things as reading grade levels and subject matters of her own books against novels for adults, she shows that such claims are poorly made. She does, however, outline four limitations that she feels gives form to children’s books (early or middle grade readers): 1. They must tell a story; 2. Length (less than 200 pages); 3. Intricacy/density/design (plot and writing cannot be too complicated); 4. Readers must be able to care about the characters. For her own writing, Paterson adds one last limitation – the ending must not leave the reader in despair, but give them hope to move forward through life.

“In Search of a Story” explores the importance of the story’s setting, and ways it can determine plot and characters; this demands attention and appropriate research.

Paterson exposes much of her passion, process, struggles, and expectations throughout the book. It is readable and inspiring without being preachy; aspiring (and seasoned) writers will find gems of advice throughout on how to best practice the craft of writing for children. show less

A fun collection of essays on writing by children's author Katherine Paterson (Gily Hopkins, Jacob Have I Loved). For any Paterson fan, or any person interested in the craft of writing, this is an exceptional book.

Katherine Paterson, author and two-time Newbery medal winner, was born in China to missionary parents and spent four years living in Japan before attending public school in the United States, where the other children called her "Jap." She earned a master’s degree from the Christian Education College in Richmond, and another from the Union Theology Seminary in New York. Gates of Excellence is a collection of the author's essays and book reviews. Of her fiction, Bridge to Terabithia won the Newbery in 1977; The Great Gilly Hopkins won the Newbery Honor award in 1979; and Jacob Have I Loved won another Newbery Medal, this one gold, in 1981. Gates of Excellence covers Mrs. Paterson's work during the late 1970’s when she was at the show more height of her career. It includes such gems as the original three pages of “The First Plank,” which became Bridge to Terabithia, as well as a description of her personal experience as a foster mother, which set the stage for The Great Gilly Hopkins. The final pages of Gates of Excellence contain her original acceptance speeches for The National Book Award and the Newbery Medal. show less