If you enjoy reading books by Katherine Applegate then you might also like the following authors:
Kate DiCamillo writes stories that have a lot of heart and emotion. One of her books, “Because of Winn-Dixie,” is about a lonely girl named Opal who moves to a small town in Florida. She meets a stray dog at a grocery store and names him Winn-Dixie.
Through the dog, Opal begins to connect with quirky neighbors and learns about friendship, forgiveness, and love in unexpected ways. DiCamillo’s characters feel real, and her stories have a warm, hopeful tone that is easy to get lost in.
Linda Sue Park writes stories that are heartfelt and often rooted in history and culture. One of her books, “A Long Walk to Water,” tells the story of two young people in Sudan. Salva, a boy separated from his family by war, faces challenges as he searches for safety.
Decades later, Nya, a girl in the same region, spends her days walking to fetch water for her family. The book alternates between their experiences, showing survival, resilience, and the way small acts can change lives. It’s based on true events, which gives it a powerful touch.
Sharon Creech is an author known for heartfelt stories that focus on family, friendships, and self-discovery. One of her most loved books is “Walk Two Moons.”
In it, a girl named Salamanca travels across the country with her grandparents while sharing stories about her best friend, Phoebe. Along the way, Sal reflects on her own life and her mother’s absence, uncovering truths that change how she sees the world.
Creech has a way of weaving humor and sadness into the story, making it feel real and unforgettable. If you enjoy Katherine Applegate’s emotional and character-driven books, Creech might be a great author to try.
Lois Lowry is an author who creates stories that stay with you long after you close the book. One of her most well-known works, “The Giver,” takes readers into a community where everything seems perfect but comes at the cost of individuality and emotion.
The story follows Jonas, a boy chosen to receive memories of life outside the rules of his controlled society. Through his relationship with the mysterious Giver, Jonas begins to see the truth about the world he’s grown up in and must decide what to do with that knowledge.
It’s a book filled with moments that make you question the cost of safety and conformity.
Holly Goldberg Sloan writes heartfelt stories centered on kids navigating life’s ups and downs. Her book “Counting by 7s” introduces Willow, a twelve-year-old genius who feels out of place everywhere except in the world of plants and numbers.
When a sudden tragedy flips her world upside down, she finds herself connecting with a group of unexpected people. It’s a moving story about finding family in the unlikeliest places. Fans of Katherine Applegate might enjoy the warmth and hope woven into her writing.
Wendy Mass writes books that often explore friendship and personal growth through unique and imaginative stories. One of her popular books, “11 Birthdays,” follows Amanda and her best friend Leo, who used to celebrate their birthdays together until a fight tore them apart.
On their eleventh birthday, an unexpected twist forces them to relive the same day over and over. As they try to figure out how to break the cycle, they uncover deeper lessons about forgiveness and second chances.
Fans of Katherine Applegate’s heartfelt storytelling might connect with the way Wendy Mass weaves emotions into her characters’ journeys.
Gordon Korman is an author known for writing stories filled with humor and relatable characters. One of his books, “Restart,” follows a boy named Chase who loses his memory after falling off a roof.
As he pieces his life back together, he discovers he wasn’t the nicest person before the accident. The story takes readers through moments at school, encounters with classmates, and second chances, all told with a mix of heart and humor.
If you enjoy Katherine Applegate’s stories, Korman’s books might be a great find.
Jacqueline Woodson is an author known for her heartfelt storytelling, often exploring family, identity, and belonging. One of her well-loved books, “Brown Girl Dreaming,” is a memoir written in verse.
It tells the story of her childhood growing up in the 1960s and 1970s, divided between South Carolina and New York. Through her eyes, you see her family dynamics, her discovery of writing, and her experience of growing up during the Civil Rights movement.
It’s a personal and vivid look at the world through the mind of a girl who dreams of becoming a writer. Woodson’s ability to capture the everyday struggles and hopes of her younger self feels honest and real.
Kate Messner is an author known for stories that mix heart and adventure, often aimed at younger readers. Her book “The Brilliant Fall of Gianna Z.” follows a seventh-grader balancing a school leaf project with family challenges and cross-country running.
The story touches on friendship, family, and finding your way, all with a touch of humor and warmth. Fans of Katherine Applegate might enjoy how Messner handles emotions in ways that feel honest and relatable.
Gary D. Schmidt is an author known for creating heartfelt stories with relatable characters. One of his books, “The Wednesday Wars,” follows a seventh-grader named Holling Hoodhood as he navigates life in the 1960s.
His teacher, Mrs. Baker, assigns him Shakespeare while the rest of the class attends religious instruction, which leads to unexpected growth for both of them.
The story weaves together Holling’s struggles with family expectations, friendships, and school, all in a time of cultural change and turmoil. It’s a book with moments that feel both funny and deeply meaningful.
Elizabeth Atkinson writes heartfelt stories for young readers, often exploring themes of identity and belonging. One of her books, “I, Emma Freke,” follows an awkward, self-conscious twelve-year-old girl who feels out of place in her quirky family and at school.
Things take an unexpected turn when she attends a reunion of her father’s side of the family and discovers a new perspective on herself. Fans of Katherine Applegate might enjoy the relatable characters and emotional depth in Atkinson’s work.
Rebecca Stead writes stories that feel warm and real. Her book, “When You Reach Me,” is about a twelve-year-old girl named Miranda who starts receiving strange notes. The notes seem to know things about her life that no one else could.
The story weaves in friendship, mystery, and a bit of time travel. It’s set in 1970s New York City and has a lot of heart. If you like books with unforgettable characters and unexpected twists, this one might grab your attention.
Ann M. Martin is known for creating heartfelt and relatable stories about friendships and challenges. One of her well-known books, “Rain Reign,” tells the story of Rose, a girl with autism who loves homonyms and her dog, Rain.
When Rain goes missing after a storm, Rose’s determination to find her leads to unexpected discoveries about herself and her family. The book captures the bond between Rose and Rain in a simple yet powerful way.
Fans of Katherine Applegate might enjoy the emotional depth and strong character connections in Martin’s writing.
Lynda Mullaly Hunt is an author who writes heartfelt stories about kids overcoming challenges. Her book “Fish in a Tree” tells the story of Ally, a girl who struggles in school because of her dyslexia. She tries to hide her difficulties, fearing others will think she’s dumb.
When a new teacher arrives, he sees her potential and helps her see herself differently. It’s a touching journey about learning to embrace your strengths and finding support in unexpected places.
Fans of Katherine Applegate’s stories about resilience and connection might enjoy getting to know Ally and her world.
Sally Pla writes heartfelt stories that often explore themes of growth and connection. Her book, “The Someday Birds,” follows Charlie, a boy with autism who finds comfort in birdwatching.
When his father falls ill, Charlie embarks on an unexpected cross-country trip with his siblings to find a doctor who might help. Along the way, he faces new challenges and learns to see the world and himself a little differently.
Fans of Katherine Applegate might enjoy how this story balances emotional depth with hope and humor.