Katherine Applegate is a celebrated American author renowned for her compelling and heartfelt children’s books. She gained widespread acclaim with her Newbery Medal-winning novel The One and Only Ivan, a poignant story about a captive gorilla who discovers his own strength and voice. Applegate’s writing is known for its emotional depth and accessibility, engaging young readers with themes of friendship, resilience, and compassion. Her extensive body of work includes both picture books and middle-grade novels, with other notable titles such as Home of the Brave and the Animorphs series. Her books continue to resonate with readers for their powerful storytelling and memorable characters.