Dear Reader,
When I think about the books I’ve most loved writing, it always it comes back to stories for middle grade readers. I so love that audience. I love their unquenchable curiosity. Their fierce idealism. And their boundless imaginations.
For this wildly open-minded and open-hearted audience, I can create a possibly-invisible giant cat, or a miniature polar bear-hummingbird hybrid who builds nests out of glowing bubbles. I can write from the point-of-view of an orphaned otter with Olympian diving moves, or a wise, deeply kind, talking oak tree.
I can do these things because I know that my audience is uniquely able to embrace the unusual, the unexpected, even the unbelievable.
In my newest book, Pocket Bear, which debuts in September, 2025, I write about a wily, theft-prone street cat named Zephyrina, and her dear friend, Pocket, a tiny stuffed bear who was originally created to provide comfort to a soldier during World War I.
Pocket, or mascot, bears were made to fit into the breast pocket of a uniform. Their eyes were positioned in such a way that, glancing down, a soldier would see a little bear looking up, a token of love and hope, always there in the darkest of moments.
Not for a fleeting second, as I wrote this story of unlikely friendship, did I wonder if a child would embrace the idea. Adults? You never know. We are, sadly, a weary and distracted lot, especially lately.
But a child? Absolutely.
Keep some room in your heart for the unimaginable.
That’s why writing for middle grade readers is just a privilege and a joy.
They have so much room in those tender hearts of theirs.
—Katherine Applegate
Preorder #1 New York Times bestselling Katherine Applegate’s next book Pocket Bear for your classroom or library to receive a gift for you and a gift for your students! Upload your receipt by Monday, September 8 at 11:59pm ET to receive the pre-order gift. The preorder gift includes an art print and 15 Pocket Bear patches.
While this gift is tailored for teachers and librarians, all are welcome to enter!
