K. A. Applegate: 2013 Newbery Award Winner

Children’s and young adult author K. A. Applegate has been awarded the John Newbery Medal for 2013 by the American Library Association for her book, The One and Only Ivan:

Ivan is an easygoing gorilla. Living at the Exit 8 Big Top Mall and Video Arcade, he has grown accustomed to humans watching him through the glass walls of his domain. He rarely misses his life in the jungle. In fact, he hardly ever thinks about it at all.

Instead, Ivan thinks about TV shows he’s seen and about his friends Stella, an elderly elephant, and Bob, a stray dog. But mostly Ivan thinks about art and how to capture the taste of a mango or the sound of leaves with color and a well-placed line.

Then he meets Ruby, a baby elephant taken from her family, and she makes Ivan see their home—and his own art—through new eyes. When Ruby arrives, change comes with her, and it’s up to Ivan to make it a change for the better.

Congratulations, Kay!

Previous winners of this signal honor include Hugh Lofting, Lois Lenski, Joseph Krumgold, and Madeleine L’Engle. The list of winners is a pantheon of children’s literature.

Not to diminish her wonderful achievement, much deserved, but I consider this tremendous award her second greatest accomplishment.

Ms. Applegate has been married for many years to co-author and fellow children’s and young adult author Michael Grant.

19 comments… add one
  • Tough woman.

  • It was love at first sight.

  • I can afford it. Where do I get it?

  • She looks a lot like the vet I use for the birds.

  • michael reynolds Link

    Thanks, Dave. It’s a very big thing for her. She’s come from the days when we ghost-wrote Sweet Valley Twins books to the highest honor you can get in kidlit. Obviously I am extremely proud of her.

    On the downside this means all the arguments I used to win by saying, “Because I’m a New York Times bestselling author, that’s why,” will now be trumped with a simple, “Newbury: deal with it.”

  • I talked to the head library honcho in our town. At least one of Ms. Applegate’s books is already in the library. I offered to buy a copy if it’s not on order.

    You, Mr. Grant, are not. I don’t know why that is.

  • Lois Lenski? I cried over Strawberry Girl!

  • Amanda is ordering as we speak.

  • Small towns can be fun and personal.

  • So Ms. Applegate’s book will be offered at the Vidalia branch of of the Condordia Parish Library. I guarantee.

  • Concordia. I hate typing.

  • Drew Link

    Congratulations to Kay, Michael. Thanks for noting it, Dave.

    Definately your, ahem, better half, Michael.

  • Andy Link

    Well Michael, you and I certainly have one thing in common – we married up! 😉

  • michael reynolds Link

    Drew and Andy:

    Finally something we can all agree on. I saw her through a window, knocked on her door, and 24 hours later we were living together. She’s had many reasons to regret that rashness, I never have.

  • steve Link

    Congratulations! She must be patient and understanding as well as brilliant.

    Steve

  • jan Link

    An amazing literary life you lead, Michael….Congratulations to your wife for her achievements.

  • I’ve read that Miss K. has a truly great love of animals.

    Michael’s put her in a condo in San Francisco so she can’t put together a zoo of her own, I’d guess.

  • TastyBits Link

    @michael reynolds

    Congratulations to your wife. From her Wikipedia page, it looks like she has an extensive body of work.

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