If you enjoy reading books by Kate DiCamillo then you might also like the following authors:
Katherine Applegate writes heartfelt stories that often focus on friendship, resilience, and unlikely connections. One of her well-loved books, “The One and Only Ivan,” tells the story of a gorilla named Ivan who lives in a shopping mall.
Ivan has spent years behind glass, painting pictures and watching people pass by. Things change when a young elephant named Ruby arrives, and Ivan begins to question his life and what he can do to make hers better.
The book is inspired by true events and is told from Ivan’s perspective, which makes it even more unique. Fans of Kate DiCamillo might enjoy the way Applegate brings animals to life and tackles emotional themes with honesty.
Rebecca Stead writes stories that feel real and heartfelt, often focusing on characters discovering themselves and the people around them. In her book “When You Reach Me,” the main character, Miranda, starts getting mysterious notes that seem to predict the future.
The story weaves her day-to-day life in New York City with these strange, unexplained events. It also ties in her love for the book “A Wrinkle in Time” and her friendship with Sal, which gets tested in unexpected ways.
The mix of neighborhood drama and the mystery of the notes makes the story feel both grounded and surprising.
Sharon Creech writes heartfelt stories with memorable characters and emotional depth. Her book “Walk Two Moons” follows a girl named Salamanca Tree Hiddle as she travels with her grandparents to retrace her mother’s journey.
Along the way, Sal shares stories about her quirky friend Phoebe and uncovers truths about her own family. It’s a story filled with love, loss, and the connections we build with others.
Linda Sue Park writes stories that are heartfelt and beautifully crafted, often centering on characters with deep emotional journeys.
One of her books, “A Long Walk to Water,” follows two young characters from Sudan—Salva, a boy forced to flee his village during the country’s civil war, and Nya, a girl who must walk hours every day to fetch water for her family.
Their stories take place years apart but come together in a way that shows the incredible strength of the human spirit. The book paints a vivid picture of resilience and hope, making the struggles and triumphs of the characters come alive.
Lois Lowry is an author known for writing stories with heart and depth, often focusing on young characters facing unique challenges in their worlds. Her book, “The Giver,” tells the story of a boy named Jonas who lives in a seemingly perfect community without pain or conflict.
When Jonas is chosen to inherit the memories of the past from the Giver, he begins to discover the truth about his world and the cost of its so-called perfection. The story blends mystery and emotion, offering readers a thought-provoking journey.
Sara Pennypacker is an author known for creating heartfelt stories with characters that feel real and unforgettable. Her book “Pax” tells the story of a boy named Peter and his pet fox, Pax.
When Peter’s father forces him to release Pax into the wild before leaving for war, Peter realizes he made a mistake. Determined to find his fox again, Peter sets off on a journey.
Meanwhile, Pax has his own adventures as he tries to survive in a world he doesn’t fully understand. The story explores themes of loyalty and healing that fans of Kate DiCamillo might appreciate.
Jacqueline Woodson is an author known for creating heartfelt stories filled with moments that feel real and relatable. Her book “Brown Girl Dreaming” is a memoir written in verse, where she shares her childhood experiences growing up in the 1960s and 70s.
It explores her early love of storytelling and touches on themes of family, identity, and finding a place to belong. If you enjoy the emotional depth and strong character focus in Kate DiCamillo’s books, Jacqueline Woodson’s work might feel like a natural fit.
Patricia MacLachlan writes stories that feel warm and heartfelt. One of her most beloved books, “Sarah, Plain and Tall,” takes place in the late 19th century and focuses on a family living on the prairie. Anna and Caleb, two siblings, miss the warmth of their late mother.
Their father writes to a woman named Sarah, who answers his newspaper ad for a wife. Sarah travels from the coast of Maine to meet them, bringing her independent spirit and love of the sea. The story explores how they each adapt and grow to feel like a family again.
It’s a simple but beautifully told tale of hope and belonging.
Andrew Clements is known for writing heartwarming stories about kids and their everyday lives at school. One of his popular books, “Frindle,” tells the story of a boy named Nick who decides to invent a new word for “pen.”
His simple idea sparks a surprising chain of events across his school and even the nation. Clements does a great job showing how a small act of creativity can grow into something much bigger than anyone expects.
Fans of Kate DiCamillo might enjoy the way he focuses on ordinary kids who do extraordinary things.
Deborah Wiles writes stories that focus on family, resilience, and community, which makes her a great author for fans of Kate DiCamillo.
One of her best-known books, “Each Little Bird That Sings,” tells the story of Comfort Snowberger, a girl growing up in a funeral home run by her family.
While dealing with loss and unexpected changes, Comfort reflects on what it means to live, love, and face the hard parts of life. The book blends humor with heartfelt moments, creating a story full of warmth and depth.
Readers who enjoy characters that feel real and relatable would likely connect with Comfort’s journey.
E. B. White wrote stories that feel warm and full of heart. One of his best-known books, “Charlotte’s Web,” is about a pig named Wilbur who faces an uncertain future. A spider named Charlotte befriends him and comes up with a clever way to save his life.
The story focuses on friendship, loyalty, and the bonds between unlikely characters. If you enjoy heartfelt tales that focus on relationships, his work might be worth exploring.
Grace Lin is an author and illustrator known for stories filled with heart and rich cultural details. One of her books, “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon,” follows Minli, a young girl who lives in a poor village in the shadow of Fruitless Mountain.
Inspired by her father’s stories, she sets out to change her family’s fortune by finding the Old Man of the Moon. Along the way, Minli meets magical creatures, including a dragon who can’t fly, and learns the power of hope and kindness.
Lin weaves adventure and Chinese folklore together, creating a story that feels both timeless and vibrant. Fans of Kate DiCamillo’s heartfelt storytelling might find Grace Lin’s work equally engaging.
Lauren Wolk writes stories with emotional depth and unforgettable characters, connecting readers to themes of family, resilience, and growing up. Her novel “Wolf Hollow” tells the story of Annabelle, a young girl living in a quiet, rural town during World War II.
When a new girl, Betty, arrives and starts spreading lies that put a kind but misunderstood man named Toby in danger, Annabelle must find the courage to stand up for what’s right. The book captures the challenges of confronting injustice and the power of compassion.
Fans of Kate DiCamillo might appreciate Wolk’s way of telling heartfelt stories grounded in small-town life and moral dilemmas.
Beverly Cleary is a beloved author known for her heartfelt and relatable stories about ordinary kids navigating everyday life. One of her most popular books, “Ramona Quimby, Age 8,” follows Ramona as she tackles the challenges of third grade and tries to prove she’s not a pest.
From dealing with misunderstood actions in class to navigating sibling dynamics with her older sister Beezus, Ramona’s adventures are full of humor and moments that feel true to life.
Cleary captures the ups and downs of childhood in a way that makes readers feel like they’re walking right alongside her characters.
Pam Muñoz Ryan is an author known for writing stories that are heartfelt and full of rich storytelling.
One of her books, “Esperanza Rising,” follows a girl named Esperanza who lives a privileged life in Mexico until unexpected tragedy forces her family to move to California during the Great Depression.
The story paints a vivid picture of resilience and hope as Esperanza faces challenges she never imagined. Ryan’s writing brings readers into her characters’ lives with warmth and honesty.