In 1966, she wrote the religious education book "Who Am I?". While continuing to write, she was unable to get any of her novels published. After being persuaded, Paterson took an adult education course in creative writing during which her first novel was published. Her first children's novel, "The Sign of the Chrysanthemum", was published in 1973. It is a work of historical fiction, set in the Japanese medieval period; it is based on Paterson's studies in Japan. "Bridge to Terabithia", her most widely read work, was published in 1977. "Terabithia" was highly controversial due to some of the difficult themes. "Bridge to Terabithia" is the most popular book she has written.