Katherine Applegate

Katherine Applegate is an American children's book author. She was born in Michigan in 1956. She created the popular Animorphs series about kids who can turn into animals. She won the Newbery Medal for The One and Only Ivan.

Early Life

Applegate loved reading as a child and dreamed of becoming a writer. She studied English and history in college. After college, she worked many different jobs before selling her first book. She and her husband, author Michael Grant, have written many books together.

Famous Books

The Animorphs series, which ran from 1996 to 2001, sold over 35 million copies. The One and Only Ivan tells the story of a gorilla living in a shopping mall. It won the Newbery Medal in 2013 and was made into a Disney movie. Applegate cares deeply about animal welfare, which shows in her writing.

Fun Facts

• The Animorphs series has over 60 books and sold more than 35 million copies.
• The One and Only Ivan was inspired by a real gorilla named Ivan.
• Katherine Applegate and her husband have co-written many books together.

Did You Know?

The real Ivan the gorilla lived in a shopping mall for 27 years before being moved to a zoo. Katherine Applegate's book helped tell his story to the world.