Catherine Newman, born in 1968, is an American writer who creates books for both young readers and adults. She pursued higher education at Fieldston High School and Amherst College, later earning a Ph.D. in Literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz. Newman has experience working in hospice care, a background that may inform her writing. She resides in Amherst, Massachusetts, and identifies as Jewish. Her literary career includes contributions to publications like Taste and The Washington Post. Newman's work often explores themes of family, life, and mortality with a blend of humor and tenderness. Her favorite book is Adrienne Rich's "The Dream of a Common Language."

Newman gained attention for her memoir "Waiting for Birdy: A Year of Frantic Tedium, Neurotic Angst, and the Wild Magic of Growing a Family" (2005), which was praised for its honesty and humor. Her second memoir, "Catastrophic Happiness: Finding Joy in Childhood's Messy Years" (2016), received a more mixed reception. Her adult fiction debut, "We All Want Impossible Things" (2022), delves into the difficult subject of caring for a friend with ovarian cancer, inspired by a personal loss. This novel was lauded for its poignant portrayal of end-of-life care and its ability to evoke both laughter and tears. Her subsequent novel, "Sandwich" (2024), focuses on a family's summer on Cape Cod and was described as tenderhearted. The sequel, "Wreck" (2025), continued her exploration of family dynamics and became a New York Times bestseller.

In addition to her adult works, Catherine Newman has authored several books for children. These include "Stitch Camp: 18 Crafty Projects for Kids & Tweens" (2017), co-written with Nicole Blum, which offers creative projects for young people. She also wrote "How to Be a Person: 65 Hugely Useful, Super-Important Skills to Learn before You're Grown Up" (2020), a guide aimed at equipping children with essential life skills. "What Can I Say? A Kid's Guide to Super-Useful Social Skills to Help You Get Along and Express Yourself" (2022) further addresses social development and communication for children. These books demonstrate Newman's commitment to engaging with younger audiences on practical and social topics.

“honest, tender and funny”

“what sustains the reader is the steady humor displayed in Newman's benignly wacko voice, crisp and always ready to deflate”

“an overly sentimental book”

“Newman perfectly captures the beauty and burden of caring for someone in their final moments”

“a warm and remarkably funny book about death and caregiving that will make readers laugh through their tears”