“the story is not a pretty one. there is violence in it. And cruelty. But stories that are not pretty have a certain value, too, I suppose. Everything, as you well know (having lived in this world long enough to have figured out a thing or two for yourself), cannont always be sweetness and light.”

American author of children’s fiction

Kate DiCamillo is an American author of children’s fiction. She has written more than 25 novels, including Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tiger Rising, The Tale of Despereaux, and Flora & Ulysses. Her books have sold about 37 million copies. Four have been made into films, and two have been adapted for the stage as musicals. The Tale of Despereaux and Flora & Ulysses each won the Newbery Medal, making her one of the few authors to receive that honor twice.