Kathi Appelt is the New York Times best-selling author of more than fifty books for children and young adults. 

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Her first novel, THE UNDERNEATH, was named a National Book Award Finalist, a Newbery Honor Book, and the PEN USA Literature for Children Award.  That was followed by KEEPER, which was named an NCTE Notable Children’s Book and a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year. Her memoir, MY FATHER’S SUMMERS, won the Paterson Prize for Young Adult Poetry.  Ms. Appelt was presented with the A.C. Greene Award by the Friends of Abilene Public Library, which named her a “Texas Distinguished Author.”  

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Her middle-grade novel, THE TRUE BLUE SCOUTS OF SUGAR MAN SWAMP, was named as a finalist for the National Book Awards. It was also the winner of the Green Earth Award and the Judy Lopez Memorial Award.    

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Her picture book, MOGIE, THE HEART OF THE HOUSE, illustrated by Marc Rosenthal, was featured in the “Wall Street Journal.”   

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ANGEL THIEVES, her debut young adult novel, was called “a masterpiece” by School Library Journal, and was a finalist for the Willa Award, young adult category, granted by Women Writing the West.

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Her most recent novel, ONCE UPON A CAMEL, illustrated by Caldecott medalist, Eric Rohmann, was recently named to the Texas Bluebonnet Master List, and received a starred review by BookList. 

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In addition to writing, Ms. Appelt is on the faculty in the Masters of Creative Writing for Children and Young Adults at Vermont College of Fine Arts.

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She and her husband Ken live in College Station, TX with four adorable cats, Peach, Mingus, Chica and Ace.  They are the parents of two even more adorable sons, Jacob and Cooper, musicians who both play the double bass. For more information, check her website:  www.kathiappelt.com.