Katherine Applegate

Katherine Applegate (K. A. Applegate) is the Newbery Medal–winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author celebrated for her impactful works in children’s and young adult fiction. Born in Ann Arbor, Michigan in 1956, she spent her childhood in various parts of the United States and even lived in Italy before settling in California with her husband, author Michael Grant, their two children, and several beloved pets.

Applegate has written more than 150 books spanning picture books, early readers, middle grade fiction, and young adult series. Her breakthrough novel, The One and Only Ivan, won the 2013 Newbery Medal and captured hearts with its powerful story told from the perspective of a captive gorilla. She is also known for other moving novels such as Home of the Brave, Crenshaw, and Wishtree, each praised for their emotional depth and accessible exploration of important social issues.

In collaboration with her husband, Applegate co-authored the wildly popular Animorphs series, as well as Everworld and Remnants. Her more recent works include the Endling trilogy and the Doggo and Pupper chapter-book series, continuing her legacy of crafting imaginative and thought-provoking stories for young readers.

Before achieving fame in children’s literature, she worked as a ghostwriter and even wrote adult romance novels under pseudonyms. Known for her lyrical writing and ability to connect with young audiences, Katherine Applegate brings empathy, humor, and a strong sense of justice to every story she tells.