Katherine Applegate
@kaaauthor.bsky.social
I write books, like the "ONE & ONLY" series, WISHTREE, ODDER, and DOGTOWN. POCKET BEAR out 9/9!
I post with some help from Two Cats Comm.
I post with some help from Two Cats Comm.
Did you know that every sea otter in my novel ODDER was inspired by a real story from the otter surrogacy program at @montereybayaquarium.org? 🦦💙
Odder herself is a composite—I needed bits and pieces of a couple backstories. But each part of her story is very much real. @mackidsbooks.bsky.social
Odder herself is a composite—I needed bits and pieces of a couple backstories. But each part of her story is very much real. @mackidsbooks.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Did you know that every sea otter in my novel ODDER was inspired by a real story from the otter surrogacy program at @montereybayaquarium.org? 🦦💙
Odder herself is a composite—I needed bits and pieces of a couple backstories. But each part of her story is very much real. @mackidsbooks.bsky.social
Odder herself is a composite—I needed bits and pieces of a couple backstories. But each part of her story is very much real. @mackidsbooks.bsky.social
Are you reading THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN in your classroom or library? ❤️🦍
Jodi Carrigan, Ivan's primary care specialist and friend, offers a great virtual classroom program about the real Ivan, western lowland gorillas, and her work at @zooatl.bsky.social.
Learn more:
Jodi Carrigan, Ivan's primary care specialist and friend, offers a great virtual classroom program about the real Ivan, western lowland gorillas, and her work at @zooatl.bsky.social.
Learn more:
Ivan - Wild Within - Zoo Atlanta
Students will have the opportunity to see photos and video and hear recorded stories about Ivan’s upbringing and time at Zoo Atlanta.
zooatlanta.org
November 9, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Are you reading THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN in your classroom or library? ❤️🦍
Jodi Carrigan, Ivan's primary care specialist and friend, offers a great virtual classroom program about the real Ivan, western lowland gorillas, and her work at @zooatl.bsky.social.
Learn more:
Jodi Carrigan, Ivan's primary care specialist and friend, offers a great virtual classroom program about the real Ivan, western lowland gorillas, and her work at @zooatl.bsky.social.
Learn more:
As we approach the season of giving, I wanted to share the incredible work of the Binc Foundation, a critical safety net for the book industry. 🧡
Binc helps booksellers and bookstore owners in times of need. They keep bookstores open and help them rebuild. A worthy cause, indeed.
Binc helps booksellers and bookstore owners in times of need. They keep bookstores open and help them rebuild. A worthy cause, indeed.
Home - Binc Foundation
The Book Industry Charitable (Binc) Foundation and Macmillan Publishers are proud to announce that applications are open for the Macmillan Booksellers
bincfoundation.org
November 8, 2025 at 7:17 PM
As we approach the season of giving, I wanted to share the incredible work of the Binc Foundation, a critical safety net for the book industry. 🧡
Binc helps booksellers and bookstore owners in times of need. They keep bookstores open and help them rebuild. A worthy cause, indeed.
Binc helps booksellers and bookstore owners in times of need. They keep bookstores open and help them rebuild. A worthy cause, indeed.
I'm often asked if I met the real Ivan. I didn't, but I did try to visit him once. It was a wet day, and Ivan didn't like rain. He never came out.
I was sad at first, but then I realized how wonderful it was that Ivan could choose where he wanted to be. He spent too many years without that power. ❤️
I was sad at first, but then I realized how wonderful it was that Ivan could choose where he wanted to be. He spent too many years without that power. ❤️
November 7, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I'm often asked if I met the real Ivan. I didn't, but I did try to visit him once. It was a wet day, and Ivan didn't like rain. He never came out.
I was sad at first, but then I realized how wonderful it was that Ivan could choose where he wanted to be. He spent too many years without that power. ❤️
I was sad at first, but then I realized how wonderful it was that Ivan could choose where he wanted to be. He spent too many years without that power. ❤️
Reposted by Katherine Applegate
The Rutherford County Library System in Tennessee is temporarily closing two branches in order to remove books from them.
Why? Because the Secretary of State told them to do it, citing laws and Executive Orders that undermine the Constititon.
bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
Why? Because the Secretary of State told them to do it, citing laws and Executive Orders that undermine the Constititon.
bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
Rutherford County Library System (TN) Temporarily Shuts Down to Ban Books
Rutherford County Library System announced on social media a surprise shutdown of two libraries. Why? "Reviewing inventory."
bookriot.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:58 PM
The Rutherford County Library System in Tennessee is temporarily closing two branches in order to remove books from them.
Why? Because the Secretary of State told them to do it, citing laws and Executive Orders that undermine the Constititon.
bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
Why? Because the Secretary of State told them to do it, citing laws and Executive Orders that undermine the Constititon.
bookriot.com/rutherford-c...
Reposted by Katherine Applegate
I'm one of the four fired employees. I was a writer & producer at Bon Appétit for nearly five years, during which I helped organize our union and sat on our bargaining committee.
I am, to my knowledge, the only trans woman in our union and the only trans woman on editorial who doesn't work at Them
I am, to my knowledge, the only trans woman in our union and the only trans woman on editorial who doesn't work at Them
New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.
November 6, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I'm one of the four fired employees. I was a writer & producer at Bon Appétit for nearly five years, during which I helped organize our union and sat on our bargaining committee.
I am, to my knowledge, the only trans woman in our union and the only trans woman on editorial who doesn't work at Them
I am, to my knowledge, the only trans woman in our union and the only trans woman on editorial who doesn't work at Them
I wrote my novel #wishtree from the point of view of a 200-year-old oak tree.
It may seem like a reach, and it felt like one at times. But sometimes it’s easier for me to view humans through a nonhuman lens. It allows our love, fear, pain, sadness to shine through. And, of course, our empathy. ❤️🌳
It may seem like a reach, and it felt like one at times. But sometimes it’s easier for me to view humans through a nonhuman lens. It allows our love, fear, pain, sadness to shine through. And, of course, our empathy. ❤️🌳
November 5, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I wrote my novel #wishtree from the point of view of a 200-year-old oak tree.
It may seem like a reach, and it felt like one at times. But sometimes it’s easier for me to view humans through a nonhuman lens. It allows our love, fear, pain, sadness to shine through. And, of course, our empathy. ❤️🌳
It may seem like a reach, and it felt like one at times. But sometimes it’s easier for me to view humans through a nonhuman lens. It allows our love, fear, pain, sadness to shine through. And, of course, our empathy. ❤️🌳
A great look at the complex efforts to save mountain gorillas in east Africa.
Like so many conservation stories, it all comes down to this: "Humans remain the biggest ongoing threat to gorillas while also being the source of their salvation."
Like so many conservation stories, it all comes down to this: "Humans remain the biggest ongoing threat to gorillas while also being the source of their salvation."
Mountain gorillas are back from the brink. But what happens if they run out of room?
Humans have helped save the great apes from extinction, but are now the biggest threat to their survival as they compete for land in east Africa’s Virunga mountains
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 6:23 PM
A great look at the complex efforts to save mountain gorillas in east Africa.
Like so many conservation stories, it all comes down to this: "Humans remain the biggest ongoing threat to gorillas while also being the source of their salvation."
Like so many conservation stories, it all comes down to this: "Humans remain the biggest ongoing threat to gorillas while also being the source of their salvation."
Sharing another great @charlessantoso.bsky.social illustration from POCKET BEAR. Charles's art adds so much to the text. I'm a lucky author, indeed. 💛🧸
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
November 3, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Sharing another great @charlessantoso.bsky.social illustration from POCKET BEAR. Charles's art adds so much to the text. I'm a lucky author, indeed. 💛🧸
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
So happy to see #PocketBear included in this @publisherswkly.bsky.social holiday gift guide! 🧸🧵
It's an honor to be listed alongside so many great books from this year. Check out their full list for great recommendations from picture books through to YA:
It's an honor to be listed alongside so many great books from this year. Check out their full list for great recommendations from picture books through to YA:
Holiday Gift Guide 2025: Children’s & YA
Wrap up these reads for kids from toddler age to teenage.
www.publishersweekly.com
November 1, 2025 at 5:03 PM
So happy to see #PocketBear included in this @publisherswkly.bsky.social holiday gift guide! 🧸🧵
It's an honor to be listed alongside so many great books from this year. Check out their full list for great recommendations from picture books through to YA:
It's an honor to be listed alongside so many great books from this year. Check out their full list for great recommendations from picture books through to YA:
"I suppose I always loved strange beasts. Even as a wee child, I was drawn to them.
The scarier, the smellier, the uglier, the better."
🐗💜🪺
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
The scarier, the smellier, the uglier, the better."
🐗💜🪺
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
October 31, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"I suppose I always loved strange beasts. Even as a wee child, I was drawn to them.
The scarier, the smellier, the uglier, the better."
🐗💜🪺
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
The scarier, the smellier, the uglier, the better."
🐗💜🪺
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
Fascinating piece here about the epigenetic clock—a measure of "biological age"—and its potential to signal species decline before it's too late. #SaveTheEndlings
This 'Clock' Could Warn of Hidden Stresses to Animals, Offering a Long-Sought Signal That a Population Is Nearing Collapse
The epigenetic clock measures biological age and could help scientists assess the health of polar bears, dolphins, baboons and other threatened creatures "while recovery is still possible"
www.smithsonianmag.com
October 30, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Fascinating piece here about the epigenetic clock—a measure of "biological age"—and its potential to signal species decline before it's too late. #SaveTheEndlings
Absolutely honored and delighted to see POCKET BEAR on this list of the year's best #kidlit, compiled by the Evanston Public Library and the one and only @fuse8.bsky.social! 🧸🧵
Be sure to check out the full list—so many great titles here!
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social
Be sure to check out the full list—so many great titles here!
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social
You lucky ducks. You're getting an extra special sneak peek of Evanston Public Library's illustrious year end list of some of the best children's books of 2025. Enjoy! #kidlit 📚👍 afuse8production.slj.com/2025/10/29/a...
Announcing Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids: 2025 Edition!!
You lucky ducks. You're getting an extra special sneak peek of Evanston Public Library's illustrious year end list of some of the best children's books of 2025. Enjoy!
afuse8production.slj.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Absolutely honored and delighted to see POCKET BEAR on this list of the year's best #kidlit, compiled by the Evanston Public Library and the one and only @fuse8.bsky.social! 🧸🧵
Be sure to check out the full list—so many great titles here!
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social
Be sure to check out the full list—so many great titles here!
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social @mackidssl.bsky.social
The epigraph to POCKET BEAR is from a Mary Oliver poem:
"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable."
That line reminds me so much of middle-grade readers. They have so much room in those tender hearts.
Thanks to everyone who's introduced Pocket to a young reader. I'm sincerely grateful. 💛🧸
"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable."
That line reminds me so much of middle-grade readers. They have so much room in those tender hearts.
Thanks to everyone who's introduced Pocket to a young reader. I'm sincerely grateful. 💛🧸
October 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The epigraph to POCKET BEAR is from a Mary Oliver poem:
"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable."
That line reminds me so much of middle-grade readers. They have so much room in those tender hearts.
Thanks to everyone who's introduced Pocket to a young reader. I'm sincerely grateful. 💛🧸
"Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable."
That line reminds me so much of middle-grade readers. They have so much room in those tender hearts.
Thanks to everyone who's introduced Pocket to a young reader. I'm sincerely grateful. 💛🧸
Periodic reminder for #Animorphs fans: There are great audiobook versions of the entire series, including the Megamorphs and Chronicles books. The cast of narrators did such a wonderful job bringing these stories to life. 💚🦎
Here's the series page on @libro.fm:
Here's the series page on @libro.fm:
Search audiobooks
Find your next great audiobook.
libro.fm
October 27, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Periodic reminder for #Animorphs fans: There are great audiobook versions of the entire series, including the Megamorphs and Chronicles books. The cast of narrators did such a wonderful job bringing these stories to life. 💚🦎
Here's the series page on @libro.fm:
Here's the series page on @libro.fm:
Reposted by Katherine Applegate
PW’s Best Books of 2025 selections are out! See the children’s and YA titles chosen by our editors as the best books of the year buff.ly/segXqqf
October 27, 2025 at 12:30 PM
PW’s Best Books of 2025 selections are out! See the children’s and YA titles chosen by our editors as the best books of the year buff.ly/segXqqf
Reposted by Katherine Applegate
A “Momentous” Victory and the Future of Censorship Efforts
www.slj.com/story/Moment...
www.slj.com/story/Moment...
A “Momentous” Victory and the Future of Censorship Efforts
Comic Book Legal Defense Fund interim director Jeff Trexler spoke with SLJ about the Texas House Bill 900 court decision and what comes next in this case, which has been appealed, and the larger battl...
www.slj.com
October 27, 2025 at 12:59 PM
A “Momentous” Victory and the Future of Censorship Efforts
www.slj.com/story/Moment...
www.slj.com/story/Moment...
Reposted by Katherine Applegate
This quote says it all. You get to decide what your child reads, but that same right belongs to other parents too. Freedom means choice, not control.
When we start deciding what *other people’s* kids can read, we cross from guidance into censorship.
Respect your values. Let others do the same.
When we start deciding what *other people’s* kids can read, we cross from guidance into censorship.
Respect your values. Let others do the same.
October 27, 2025 at 1:57 PM
This quote says it all. You get to decide what your child reads, but that same right belongs to other parents too. Freedom means choice, not control.
When we start deciding what *other people’s* kids can read, we cross from guidance into censorship.
Respect your values. Let others do the same.
When we start deciding what *other people’s* kids can read, we cross from guidance into censorship.
Respect your values. Let others do the same.
"Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in school."
Here's a great resource from @trevorproject.bsky.social for anyone who works in a school. Easy, actionable tips, plus lots more linked within.
Here's a great resource from @trevorproject.bsky.social for anyone who works in a school. Easy, actionable tips, plus lots more linked within.
Creating Safer Spaces in Schools for LGBTQ+ Young People
Your Support Saves LGBTQ+Youth's Lives Every DayDonateEveryone deserves to feel safe and respected in school. The majority of young people […]
www.thetrevorproject.org
October 26, 2025 at 5:47 PM
"Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected in school."
Here's a great resource from @trevorproject.bsky.social for anyone who works in a school. Easy, actionable tips, plus lots more linked within.
Here's a great resource from @trevorproject.bsky.social for anyone who works in a school. Easy, actionable tips, plus lots more linked within.
So honored to see POCKET BEAR on this list of the year's best from @publisherswkly.bsky.social! 🧸🧵
So many great books keeping Pocket company. Highly recommend adding a few to your TBR!
best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-book...
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
So many great books keeping Pocket company. Highly recommend adding a few to your TBR!
best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-book...
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
Best Books 2025: Publishers Weekly Publishers Weekly
Best Books 2025, Best Middle Grade Books, Lauren Wolk, Meg Medina, Daniel Miyares, Derrick Barnes, Ibram X. Kendi, Bibi Dumon Tak, Mika Song, Karina Yan Glaser, Guojing, Katherine Applegate, María Dol...
best-books.publishersweekly.com
October 24, 2025 at 9:16 PM
So honored to see POCKET BEAR on this list of the year's best from @publisherswkly.bsky.social! 🧸🧵
So many great books keeping Pocket company. Highly recommend adding a few to your TBR!
best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-book...
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
So many great books keeping Pocket company. Highly recommend adding a few to your TBR!
best-books.publishersweekly.com/pw/best-book...
@mackidsbooks.bsky.social #mglit
ICYMI: My new novel in verse, WOMBAT WAITING, arrives next spring. Wombat is a “Destiny Dog,” determined to find her person, against all odds—in this case, deadly fires sweeping the state. I can't wait for you all to meet her. 🧡
Learn more and pre-order here: www.harpercollins.com/products/wom...
Learn more and pre-order here: www.harpercollins.com/products/wom...
October 24, 2025 at 4:21 PM
ICYMI: My new novel in verse, WOMBAT WAITING, arrives next spring. Wombat is a “Destiny Dog,” determined to find her person, against all odds—in this case, deadly fires sweeping the state. I can't wait for you all to meet her. 🧡
Learn more and pre-order here: www.harpercollins.com/products/wom...
Learn more and pre-order here: www.harpercollins.com/products/wom...
The @montereybayaquarium.org website has a wonderful timeline of the sea otter rehab and surrogacy program that inspired my novel ODDER. 💙🦦
It's a great resource for teachers and librarians sharing my book with their students. Check it out here: www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/sea-...
It's a great resource for teachers and librarians sharing my book with their students. Check it out here: www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/sea-...
October 23, 2025 at 4:36 PM
The @montereybayaquarium.org website has a wonderful timeline of the sea otter rehab and surrogacy program that inspired my novel ODDER. 💙🦦
It's a great resource for teachers and librarians sharing my book with their students. Check it out here: www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/sea-...
It's a great resource for teachers and librarians sharing my book with their students. Check it out here: www.montereybayaquarium.org/animals/sea-...
Great piece about efforts to save and plant seagrass meadows. Two key lines:
"Seagrasses account for an estimated 10% of all the carbon stored by the world’s oceans."
"At current rates... a football field’s worth of seagrasses disappears every second."
"Seagrasses account for an estimated 10% of all the carbon stored by the world’s oceans."
"At current rates... a football field’s worth of seagrasses disappears every second."
A 'Secret Weapon' for Fighting Climate Change Comes Surging Back
Capturing carbon 35 times faster than the Amazon, seagrasses have faced centuries of decline. Now restoration projects across North America are seeing their meadows quadruple in size.
reasonstobecheerful.world
October 22, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Great piece about efforts to save and plant seagrass meadows. Two key lines:
"Seagrasses account for an estimated 10% of all the carbon stored by the world’s oceans."
"At current rates... a football field’s worth of seagrasses disappears every second."
"Seagrasses account for an estimated 10% of all the carbon stored by the world’s oceans."
"At current rates... a football field’s worth of seagrasses disappears every second."
I learned about pocket bears a few years ago. They were designed to fit into the breast pocket of a soldier’s uniform in WWI. That way, when a soldier looked down, he'd see a token of love—and, hopefully, a good luck charm.
I was so struck by this that I wrapped a novel around it. #PocketBear
I was so struck by this that I wrapped a novel around it. #PocketBear
October 21, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I learned about pocket bears a few years ago. They were designed to fit into the breast pocket of a soldier’s uniform in WWI. That way, when a soldier looked down, he'd see a token of love—and, hopefully, a good luck charm.
I was so struck by this that I wrapped a novel around it. #PocketBear
I was so struck by this that I wrapped a novel around it. #PocketBear
So touched by this lovely elementary school drive inspired by CRENSHAW. My sincere thanks to Ms. Harvey and her third-graders in Pismo Beach, CA. Kids like this are going to change the world! 💜🐈⬛ www.ksby.com/pismo-beach/...
Elementary school drive inspired by “Crenshaw” novel supports homeless community
For the past two weeks, students at Shell Beach Elementary have been collecting socks and toiletries as part of a community-wide drive
www.ksby.com
October 20, 2025 at 6:55 PM
So touched by this lovely elementary school drive inspired by CRENSHAW. My sincere thanks to Ms. Harvey and her third-graders in Pismo Beach, CA. Kids like this are going to change the world! 💜🐈⬛ www.ksby.com/pismo-beach/...