U.S. author takes Swedish literary prize

American author Katherine Paterson was named the winner of the annual Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award for Literature on Wednesday. The $640,000 prize, established by the Swedish government, is the biggest international award dedicated to writers of children’s books.

Paterson was honored for her “deft aesthetic touch” that builds “on the inner strength and courage of her main characters,” the jury said. Her best-known titles include “Bridge to Terabithia,” “The Master Puppeteer” and “Flip-Flop Girl.”