The One and Only Katherine Applegate

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Pour yourself a cup of coffee and join me for a chat with rock star Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate as we celebrate the book birthday of Dogtown, The One and Only Ruby, and Odder. You know her from The One and Only Ivan, but you also know her from so many other books like Crenshaw, Wishtree, and the Animorphs series, now in a new graphic format designed by Chris Grine.

[01:14] How We Met: Shenandoah University's Rally for Reading

• John Schu's ability to get kids excited about books
•  Ways teachers and librarians build connections with books and kids.

[04:16] Katherine's Journey as an Author:

• Her circuitous path to becoming a writer and early struggles with reading.
• The importance of failing and experimenting in the writing process.

[09:11] Writing for Reluctant Readers:

• The  Animorphs series
• The influence of powerful cover art

[13:43] The One and Only Ruby and Dogtown 

[17:47] Writing with Non-Human Characters:

• The appeal of writing stories with non-human main characters
• How writing from a non-human perspective allows her to explore human behavior from an outsider's view.

[20:01] Impact of Winning the Newbery:

• The confidence boost winning  provided and why it's important to fail.

[22:08] Authors Who Inspire Katherine Applegate

• Jason Reynolds and Dav Pilkey

[25:15] Ivan's Last Installment:

• In the works -- a fourth and final book in the Ivan series -- with a tease from Katherine about the main character

[26:21] Research and Animal Behavior:

• The research involved in writing about animals and how it deepens our understanding of animal behavior.
•  The importance of addressing climate change and species loss in kidlit.

[29:30] Books Building Empathy and Compassion:

• How books help us understand different cultures and perspectives.

[31:34

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*Disclosure: I am a Bookshop.org. affiliate.