“Bridge to Terabithia” author’s son to speak as part of “Bridge to Terabithia” author’s son to speak

“Bridge to Terabithia” author’s son to speak as part of

2009 One Book, One Boulder County

The 2009 One Book, One Boulder County program is in its final week, and “Bridge to Terabithia” author Katherine Paterson was scheduled to speak at a welcome dinner on Thursday, April 30 at the Hotel Boulderado, and at a free event on Friday, May 1 at Macky Auditorium. However, Ms. Paterson had a sudden change of plans due to a serious family emergency, so she is not able to come to Boulder at this time. In her place, her son David Paterson, an award-winning playwright and screenwriter, will speak at the two events in Boulder this week.

“We apologize for the sudden change in these speaking events,” said Arts and Culture Manager Donna Gartenmann. “Ms. Paterson wishes she could be here, and suggested to library staff and her publicist that her son David would be a great representative for her.”

David Paterson wrote the 2007 film adaptation of “Bridge to Terabithia,” which was released by Walt Disney Pictures. David was also the inspiration for Katherine Paterson to write the Newbery Award-winning novel.

Ms. Paterson drew inspiration for the novel from a real event that occurred in August 1974, when a friend of her son, David’s, was struck by lightning at a beach and died. In “Bridge to Terabithia,” Jesse befriends a new neighbor, Leslie, after he loses a footrace to her at school. Through his friendship with Leslie, and his ultimate tragic loss of her, Jesse is transformed. He becomes courageous and lets go of the anger and frustration that had plagued him before knowing her.

A complete list of One Book, One Boulder County activities and events is at: www.onebookoneboulder.info.

The author’s welcome dinner, which will now feature David Paterson, is at 6:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 30, and the cost is $35. All other programs are free, thanks to a generous grant from the Boulder Public Library Foundation. David Paterson will also speak at 7 p.m. on Friday, May 1 in Macky Auditorium on the CU campus.

Information: 303-441-3196 or visit: www.onebookoneboulder.info .
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