Award-winning author Katherine Applegate visits Stuart virtually to inspire young writers

Award-winning author Katherine Applegate inspired students during her recent virtual visit, sharing how embracing your "weirdness" and finding your voice can unlock endless creativity. Best known for beloved books like The One and Only Ivan, Crenshaw, Wishtree, and the iconic Animorphs series, Applegate spoke about how her imagination allows her to inhabit so many different characters through writing. Currently on tour promoting her newest book, Wombat Waiting!, she invited students to get a taste of her creative process firsthand — challenging them to imagine a character that combines at least two animals, just as she does when bringing her own unforgettable creatures to life.