Katherine Applegate facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Katherine Applegate
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Applegate at the 2013 Texas Book Festival
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| Born | October 9, 1956 Ann Arbor, Michigan, U.S. |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Period | 1991–2012, 2019–present |
| Genre | Children's fantasy, science fiction, adventure novels |
| Notable works | The One and Only Ivan, Animorphs |
| Notable awards | Newbery Medal 2013 |
| Spouse | Michael Grant |
| Children | 2 |
Katherine Alice Applegate (born October 9, 1956), also known as K. A. Applegate, is a famous American writer. She creates amazing stories for young readers, especially in the world of children's and young adult fiction. Many know her best for exciting series like Animorphs, Remnants, and Everworld.
In 2013, Katherine Applegate won the prestigious Newbery Medal for her heartwarming novel, The One and Only Ivan, published in 2012. Her books often take readers on adventures through science fiction and fantasy worlds. She also received the Best New Children's Book Series Award in 1997 from Publishers Weekly. Her book Home of the Brave has earned several awards, and she wrote the fun Roscoe Riley Rules chapter book series between 2008 and 2009.
Contents
Discovering Katherine Applegate's Journey
Katherine Applegate was born on October 9, 1956, in Ann Arbor, Michigan. She has lived in many different places across the United States, including Texas, Florida, and California. She even lived in Pelago, Italy, for a year before returning to Irvine, California.
Her writing career began by working as a ghostwriter for popular series like Sweet Valley Twins. This means she wrote books that were published under another author's name. Katherine Applegate often works with her husband, Michael Grant, who is also a writer. Together, they created famous series such as Animorphs and Everworld. They have two children, a son and a daughter named Julia, who they adopted from China in 2003.
After finishing the Remnants series, Katherine Applegate took a break from writing for three years. When she returned, she wrote several new books. These included the picture book Buffalo Storm, the middle-grade novel Home of the Brave, and the Roscoe Riley Rules series. Home of the Brave received many honors, including the 2008 Golden Kite Award for Best Fiction.
The Newbery Medal and The One and Only Ivan
In 2013, Katherine Applegate received the highly respected Newbery Medal. This award celebrates the best children's book published in America the previous year. She won for her book The One and Only Ivan, which was illustrated by Patricia Castelao.
The One and Only Ivan tells the amazing story of a gorilla named Ivan. It is based on a real gorilla who lived in a glass cage at a shopping mall. The book is written from Ivan's point of view, letting readers see the world through his eyes. The award committee praised the book for its unique way of making us think about animals and ourselves.
Explore Katherine Applegate's Books
Katherine Applegate has written many beloved books for young readers. Her stories often blend science fiction, fantasy, and adventure.
Picture Books
- Jack Rabbit and the Beanstalk (1998)
- The Buffalo Storm (2007)
- Sometimes You Fly (2018)
- Ivan: A Gorilla's True Story (2020)
The Animorphs Series
The Animorphs series is one of Katherine Applegate's most famous works. It tells the story of five teenagers and an alien who can change into any animal they touch. They use this power to fight a secret alien invasion of Earth. The series is full of action, suspense, and important lessons about courage and friendship. There are many books in this series, including companion books that explore different parts of the Animorphs universe.
- Key Companion Books
- Megamorphs 1: The Andalite's Gift (1997)
- Megamorphs 2: In the Time of Dinosaurs (1998)
- The Andalite Chronicles (1997)
- Visser (2000)
The Everworld Series
In the Everworld series, four teenagers find themselves pulled into a magical world where myths and legends are real. They must navigate this dangerous new place to find their missing friend, Senna. This series combines adventure with elements from different mythologies.
- Search for Senna (1999)
- Land of Loss (1999)
- Enter the Enchanted (1999)
The Remnants Series
The Remnants series tells the story of a group of humans who escape Earth just before it is destroyed. They travel through space, facing many challenges and mysteries. This science fiction series explores themes of survival and what it means to be human.
- The Mayflower Project (2001)
- Destination Unknown (2001)
- Them (2001)
The Roscoe Riley Rules Series
This fun series follows the adventures and misadventures of a boy named Roscoe Riley. Each book features Roscoe trying to follow a new rule, often with hilarious results.
- Never Glue Your Friends to Chairs (2008)
- Never Swipe a Bully's Bear (2008)
- Don't Swap Your Sweater for a Dog (2008)
The One and Only Series
This popular series began with The One and Only Ivan. It continues to explore the lives of animals and their unique perspectives. These stories are known for being heartwarming and thought-provoking.
- The One and Only Ivan (2012)
- The One and Only Bob (2020)
- The One and Only Ruby (2023)
- The One and Only Family (2024)
The Endling Series
The Endling series takes readers to a world where mythical creatures exist. It follows a young creature named Byx, who might be the last of her kind, as she searches for others like her. This fantasy adventure is about hope and finding your place.
- Endling #1: The Last (2018)
- Endling #2: The First (2019)
- Endling #3: The Only (2021)
The Doggo and Pupper Series
This charming series features the adventures of Doggo and Pupper, two lovable dog characters. These books are perfect for younger readers who enjoy stories about friendship and everyday fun.
- Doggo and Pupper (2021)
- Doggo and Pupper Save the World (2022)
- Doggo and Pupper Search for Cozy (2023)
Other Notable Books
Beyond her famous series, Katherine Applegate has written many other standalone books that have captured readers' hearts.
- Sharing Sam (1995)
- Home of the Brave (2007)
- Eve & Adam (with Michael Grant) (2013)
- Crenshaw (2015)
- Wishtree (2017)
- Willodeen (2021)
- Odder (2022)
- Pocket Bear (2025)
Writing Under Different Names (Pseudonyms)
Sometimes, authors use different names for their books, called pseudonyms. Katherine Applegate has also written under several other names for various projects.
- L.E. Blair: For the Girl Talk novels.
- Katherine Kendall (with Michael Grant): For some Harlequin romance novels.
- A.R. Plumb: For some of Disney's Aladdin series.
- Pat Pollari: For the Barf-O-Rama series.
See also
In Spanish: K. A. Applegate para niños
