Kate DiCamillo is a beloved children's author known for imaginative tales filled with heart. Her books such as Because of Winn-Dixie and The Tale of Despereaux delight readers and inspire young imaginations everywhere.
If you enjoy reading books by Kate DiCamillo then you might also like the following authors:
Katherine Applegate is an author who captures heartfelt stories through the eyes of unique animal and human characters, similar in warmth and gentle depth to Kate DiCamillo’s narratives.
Her novel The One and Only Ivan follows Ivan, a gorilla who has spent years living behind glass walls in a shopping mall exhibit.
Ivan, finding companionship with fellow animals like Stella the elephant and stray dog Bob, begins to consider life beyond captivity when a baby elephant named Ruby arrives.
Through Ivan’s thoughtful reflections and quiet courage, the book gently explores friendship, hope, and the meaning of home. Readers fond of DiCamillo’s tender and meaningful storytelling will appreciate the sincerity and humility of Applegate’s work.
Rebecca Stead is an author whose stories often blend mystery, friendship, and heartfelt moments, themes that fans of Kate DiCamillo will appreciate.
In her book When You Reach Me, sixth-grader Miranda begins receiving mysterious notes from someone who seems to know about events before they happen.
Set in 1970s New York City, the story follows Miranda as she figures out the meaning behind the messages, encountering puzzles about friendship, trust, and growing up.
Stead builds a strong connection to readers through authentic characters and emotional depth, similar to what makes DiCamillo’s stories memorable.
Gary D. Schmidt writes novels full of humor, heart, and thoughtful stories about growing up, family, and friendship. Readers who enjoy Kate DiCamillo’s books may find similar warmth and depth in Schmidt’s work.
A great example is The Wednesday Wars, a story set in the late 1960s about seventh-grader Holling Hoodhood, who finds himself stuck with his teacher every Wednesday afternoon while his classmates attend religious instruction.
At first, Holling is convinced Mrs. Baker has it in for him, especially when she insists he study Shakespeare during their one-on-one sessions.
But as the school year unfolds, his view slowly changes, and he finds unexpected meaning in Shakespeare’s themes, along with humor, compassion, and unique friendships in surprising places.
Readers who enjoy Kate DiCamillo might find Sharon Creech equally charming and heartwarming. Creech has a gentle way of drawing readers into genuine stories of family, friendship, and growth.
In her book Walk Two Moons, she introduces readers to Salamanca Tree Hiddle, known as Sal. Sal embarks on a trip with her grandparents from Ohio to Idaho. The journey turns out to be much more than a simple road trip.
As she travels, Sal shares the story of her friend Phoebe Winterbottom, whose own family mystery mirrors Sal’s complicated feelings about her mother.
There’s humor, warmth, and depth in Sal’s storytelling, wrapped up in an adventure filled with memorable encounters and heartfelt moments.
If you appreciate the warmth and emotional honesty in DiCamillo’s novels, there’s a good chance Sharon Creech’s stories will resonate with you too.
Katherine Paterson is a master storyteller whose heartfelt narratives resonate with readers who enjoy the emotional honesty found in Kate DiCamillo’s work. In her book Bridge to Terabithia, Paterson introduces Jess Aarons, a boy struggling to fit in at school and at home.
When Jess befriends the imaginative Leslie Burke, together they create the magical kingdom of Terabithia in the woods near their homes, a place of adventure and solace. But life takes an unexpected turn, forcing Jess to face new challenges and profound truths.
Paterson gently guides readers through themes of friendship, loss, and resilience, leaving a deep and lasting impact.
Lois Lowry is an author who writes heartfelt stories about friendship, family, and growing up, themes familiar in Kate DiCamillo’s work. Lowry’s book Number the Stars follows ten-year-old Annemarie Johansen during World War II in Denmark.
Annemarie bravely helps her Jewish friend, Ellen Rosen, evade capture by Nazi soldiers. Through Annemarie’s eyes, readers discover powerful lessons about courage, friendship, and sacrifice, portrayed in a gentle but honest way.
Lowry weaves history with emotion, creating a story that’s memorable and moving. Fans of DiCamillo’s thoughtful, character-driven stories will find themselves right at home with Lois Lowry’s novels.
If you enjoy Kate DiCamillo’s heartfelt stories about unlikely friendships and remarkable characters, E.B. White might win you over too. His timeless classic, Charlotte’s Web, tells a touching tale about a pig named Wilbur and a wise spider named Charlotte.
Wilbur is in danger of being turned into bacon, but Charlotte steps in and crafts clever messages in her web. Her words draw attention, convincing the farmer and community of Wilbur’s special value.
Alongside a quirky cast of barnyard friends, Wilbur experiences humor and heartbreak, friendship and loss. White captures warmth, depth, and gentle wit in a beautiful story first published in 1952, which still resonates today.
Roald Dahl is a wonderful choice for readers who enjoy Kate DiCamillo’s imaginative storytelling and heartfelt characters. Dahl’s books balance humor, adventure, and thoughtful insights into human nature.
In Matilda, Dahl introduces readers to Matilda Wormwood, an intelligent and kind-hearted young girl with neglectful, selfish parents who fail to notice her extraordinary gifts.
Matilda finds comfort in reading, and her life changes dramatically when she discovers she has a remarkable power. Dahl creates delightful scenes of playful revenge against unkind adults, charm and humor, along with moments of warmth and wisdom.
Fans of DiCamillo’s unique blend of compassion, adventure, and memorable characters will find a lot to love in Roald Dahl’s enchanting stories like Matilda.
Readers who enjoy Kate DiCamillo’s heartfelt and imaginative storytelling might find C.S. Lewis equally captivating. Lewis, best known for his Chronicles of Narnia series, invites readers into a magical world with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
In this story, four siblings step through a wardrobe and find themselves in the snow-covered land of Narnia, a realm filled with talking animals, mythical creatures, and an evil witch who has plunged the land into permanent winter.
Together they must face bravery, betrayal, sacrifice, and redemption. Lewis writes with warmth and clarity, creating a world that feels alive, familiar, and extraordinary at once.
If you enjoy Kate DiCamillo’s heartwarming stories and thoughtful characters, Kevin Henkes may capture your interest as well. His book, The Year of Billy Miller, introduces Billy, a second grader facing all the small yet meaningful challenges that the school year brings.
Billy navigates friendships, family dynamics, and everyday adventures with humor and sincerity. Henkes paints childhood experiences with charm and sensitivity similar to DiCamillo’s style.
There’s the thoughtful exploration of emotions, the vividly depicted moments of young life, and characters you won’t forget. The Year of Billy Miller gently celebrates the simplicity of growing up and the wonder hidden within ordinary days.
Sara Pennypacker is an author whose stories resonate deeply with readers who enjoy Kate DiCamillo’s heartfelt books. In Pax, Pennypacker explores the bond between a boy named Peter and his pet fox, Pax.
When Peter must leave Pax behind due to family circumstances, each one embarks on a journey to find the other again. Along the way, they encounter unexpected friendships and face challenges that reveal truths about loyalty, courage, and finding one’s place.
With tender storytelling and authentic voices, Pennypacker creates a story that stays with you, capturing the emotions of friendship and longing beautifully. Readers who loved the depth and warmth of DiCamillo’s worlds will find similar magic in Pax.
If you enjoy Kate DiCamillo’s heartfelt storytelling and characters who feel deeply real, you may also appreciate Anne Ursu’s books. Her novel Breadcrumbs shares a similar blend of genuine emotion and magical adventure.
The story follows Hazel and Jack, two close friends in fifth grade whose bond is tested when Jack mysteriously disappears into a strange, enchanted forest. Hazel decides to embark on a brave journey to save him despite the many dangers and challenges she must face.
Ursu mixes beautiful writing with imaginative twists, giving familiar fairytale themes a fresh and thoughtful feel. The friendship between Hazel and Jack, filled with loyalty and courage, leaves a lasting impression.
Laurel Snyder writes children’s fiction that captures the wonder and emotional warmth fans of Kate DiCamillo appreciate. Her book Orphan Island pulls readers into a mysterious setting: nine children alone on an island where everything they need appears without explanation.
Each year, a boat arrives with a new child and takes the oldest one away, never to return. Jinny, one of the island’s young inhabitants, feels a deep sense of curiosity and anxiety when it becomes her turn to leave.
The story explores themes of friendship, responsibility, and the bittersweet nature of growing up. Snyder creates a thoughtful and imaginative narrative that encourages readers to consider their own transition from childhood to greater independence.
Grace Lin writes stories full of warmth, magic, and thoughtful characters. Her book Where the Mountain Meets the Moon follows Minli, a brave young girl who sets off on a journey to change her family’s fortune.
Inspired by the folktales her father shares, Minli meets a talking dragon, discovers mysterious places, and confronts problems that need both courage and wisdom.
Beautiful illustrations and enchanting storytelling make this book a wonderful choice for readers who have enjoyed Kate DiCamillo’s tales of imagination and heart.
If you enjoy Kate DiCamillo’s heartfelt stories and memorable characters, Erin Entrada Kelly is an author worth exploring.
Her novel Hello, Universe brings together the stories of four middle schoolers—Virgil, Valencia, Kaori, and Chet—each with their unique struggles and strengths. Virgil, a shy and sensitive boy, finds himself trapped in an unexpected and frightening ordeal.
Through friendship, courage, and a bit of coincidence, these kids discover how connected they truly are, even if they hadn’t realized it before.
Erin Entrada Kelly crafts stories that celebrate empathy, resilience, and finding one’s voice, themes readers of DiCamillo’s thoughtful tales will surely connect with.