Applegate, Katherine (1956-…), is an American author of children’s books. She is best known for her science fiction and fantasy series for middle school readers, many of which have been written under the name K. A. Applegate. Her husband, Michael Grant, has co-authored many of her books.
Applegate received the 2013 Newbery Medal for her novel The One and Only Ivan (2012). The book tells the story of a gorilla named Ivan who lives in a glass cage in a shopping mall in an unnamed city in the United States. Ivan narrates the warm and emotional story. The Newbery Medal is awarded annually to the author of the best children’s book written by an American. Two sequels followed: The One and Only Bob (2020), about Bob, a dog who is Ivan’s friend, and The One and Only Ruby (2023), about Ivan and Bob’s friend Ruby, an elephant who lives in a wildlife sanctuary.
Applegate has written about 150 books. She gained fame for her science-fiction “Animorphs” series (1996-2001). Animorphs are teenagers with the ability to morph (change) into animals. The Animorphs battle a race of snaillike creatures who attempt to take over Earth by entering the brains of human beings. The series began with The Invasion (1996). In the “Remnants” series (2001-2003), an asteroid collides with Earth, wiping out all life except for a small group of survivors. The survivors escape in a space ship and face many challenges in space. The series began with The Mayflower Project (2001).
Applegate’s fantasy “Everworld” series (1999-2002) centers on five modern teenagers with everyday problems who are suddenly thrust into an alternative world populated by gods and mythical creatures. The series began with Search for Senna (1999). The fantasy series “Endling” introduces an almost-extinct species called dairnes. Dairnes are intelligent, doglike creatures who walk upright and can talk and distinguish any lie. The first book in the series is Endling: The Last (2018).
Applegate has also written realistic series about teenagers, especially girls. The “Summer” series (1995-1996) portrays the problems, mostly romantic, of a high school girl named Summer, beginning with June Dreams (1995). “Making Out” (1994-1998, originally called “Boyfriends and Girlfriends”) is a series of teenage love stories. The series began with Zoey Fools Around (1994).
Applegate wrote the children’s novel Crenshaw (2015) about a 10-year-old boy whose imaginary friend, a seven-foot (2.1-meter) talking cat, helps him cope with a family crisis. Doggo and Pupper (2021) is the first title in the “Doggo and Pupper” series for younger children about how the life of a dog named Doggo changes when his human family brings home a peppy new puppy. Willowdeen (2021) is a fantasy tale about a girl who seeks to look out for animals, both lovable and unlovable. Odder (2022) is a story, told in verse, about an otter. Dogtown (2023, co-written with Gennifer Choldenko) is the first book in a series about a friendly three-legged dog who lives in a shelter for both living and robot dogs. Applegate also has written books for younger children that feature characters created by Walt Disney. In addition, she has written adult novels, including romance stories aimed at female readers.
Katherine Alice Applegate was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan, on July 19, 1956, and grew up in Grand Rapids. She earned a B.A. degree from the University of Texas at Austin in 1979.
