Last night I met Katherine Paterson, heard her read from her own work, and shook her hand. I even made her laugh once in the faculty lounge.
It was my first time to meet the two-time Newbery winner. She's gracious, humble, and funny. She wore a beige sleeveless blouse and a black floral shirt. She was losing her voice, but it came back as she continued reading. She's great at doing character voices.
I'm sensitive, too sensitive really. But when I'm with someone like that, someone who has stretched my world view, it's really all I can do not to cry or babble or otherwise make a goof of myself. But maybe that's okay. After all, it's always a little overwhelming living in such a magical world.
