Author
Katherine Applegate
6 books here
Odder
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2022
Applegate's most emotionally sophisticated animal-narrator novel — the parallel perspectives of Odder and the humans who care for him teach genuine empathy without sentimentality, and the marine-biology detail feels earned.
Wombat Waiting
Picture book · ages 3–7 · 500L · 2026
Deceptively smart picture book about patience where Applegate's gentle pacing mirrors Wombat's own learning—illustrations carry emotional weight and kids genuinely root for the payoff.
Willodeen
Young adult · ages 13–16 · 850L · 2021
A solid fantasy adventure that balances world-building with character growth, ideal for readers who want a less intense alternative to darker YA epics.
Pocket Bear
Picture book · ages 4–8 · 450L · 2025
Applegate's signature tenderness applied to a premise that feels fresh at age 4–6; the pocket-sized bear is a perfect metaphor for connection without being heavy-handed about it.
Zoey plays games
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 1999
Zoey-focused entry that digs into the emotional toll of the morphing war—less action-packed than some entries, more introspective about identity and loyalty under pressure.
The One and Only
Middle grade · ages 8–12 · 720L · 2015
A dog-story that actually works—Applegate nails why shelter dogs matter, never talks down to kids about trauma, and lets Yara's growth emerge through small, honest moments rather than epiphanies.