Katherine Applegate

  • 129

    Catalog books

  • 51

    Works

  • 1990 to 2026

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Katherine Applegate writes with a light, accessible touch for young readers, moving between humorous early-reader stories and emotionally grounded middle-grade novels. Her books here range from playful series entries like Roscoe Riley and Animorphs to character-driven contemporary tales that focus on growth, friendship, and everyday challenges.

Across these titles Applegate balances brisk pacing and clear voice with moments of surprising depth. Standalone works such as One and Only Ivan sit alongside relationship-focused teen novels and short, energetic reads, offering readers varied entry points into her interest in empathy, change, and young people finding their way.

Best Place To Start

Don't Forget Lara (Making Out)

Harpercollins Childrens Books • 2000 • quick commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Heartfelt animal perspectives • Early teen relationship stories • Humorous chapter-book series • Accessible middle-grade voice

Genres and themes: Middle-grade fiction • Contemporary realism • Animal narrated stories • Friendship and identity

Who this author is best for: Readers who like warm, character-driven stories with clear, empathetic voices and brisk pacing will enjoy these books.

Start with One and Only Ivan for an animal-narrated, emotionally rich entry, then try the Roscoe Riley or Making Out titles for lighter, humorous contemporary reads.

Top Books To Start With

  1. Don't Forget Lara (Making Out)

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 2000 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2000 • 169 pages.

  2. Aaron Lets Go

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 165 pages.

  3. Claire Can't Lose

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 170 pages.

  4. Nina Shapes Up (Making Out)

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1999 • 176 pages.

  5. Making Out No. 7 Lucas gets hurt

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 1998 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1998 • 181 pages.

  6. Zoey Speaks Out (Making Out)

    Harpercollins Childrens Books • 1998 • standard commitment

    You enjoy Katherine Applegate’s honest tween voice | You read character-driven middle-grade stories about neighborhood i…

  7. Endling #3: The Only

    Endling • 2022 • standard commitment

    It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

  8. One and Only Ivan

    HarperCollins Publishers Limited • 2020 • standard commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2020 • 256 pages.

  9. Roscoe Riley Rules #7

    Harper • 2017 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2017 • 128 pages.

  10. Animorphs No 19 the departure

    Scholastic Paperbacks • 1998 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1998 • 159 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • Aaron Lets Go is the easier short commitment, while Don't Forget Lara (Making Out) asks for more reading time up front.
  • Aaron Lets Go gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while Don't Forget Lara (Making Out) leans later in the catalog.

More Books By Katherine Applegate

Browse Next