In high school, we all learned stories from Greek and Roman mythology. This was made a whole lot easier by an educator and writer named Edith Hamilton.

Paterson established herself as a prolific writer for children and young adults. Her most widely read work, Bridge to Terabithia, was published in 1977.

An author, journalist, and educator, she popularized Midwestern culture and provided stories to many children. Newbery laureate Laura Ingalls Wilder is well known and well loved for her stories of life on the countryside.