With over 37 million copies of her books in print, Kate DiCamillo transformed the landscape of modern children's literature through a disciplined writing practice. Born in Philadelphia in 1964 and raised in Clermont, Florida, she eventually relocated to Minneapolis in 1994, where a position at a book warehouse provided the creative environment necessary to launch her professional career.
Early influences and education
Frequent childhood illnesses, including chronic pneumonia, led DiCamillo to seek refuge in books, a habit encouraged by her mother. She pursued her education at various institutions before graduating from the University of Florida in Gainesville with a bachelor's degree in English in 1987. During these formative years, she held several entry-level positions in Florida, including roles at Walt Disney World, Circus World, and a local greenhouse.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →The path to publication
Upon moving to Minneapolis, DiCamillo worked as a picker in the children's section of a book warehouse called The Bookman. Despite accumulating 473 rejection letters for her earlier efforts, she continued to write before her shifts. Her debut novel, Because of Winn-Dixie, was discovered in a forgotten manuscript pile at the warehouse and subsequently published in 2000, achieving immediate commercial and critical acclaim.
Literary achievements and awards
DiCamillo remains one of only seven authors to secure the Newbery Medal twice, winning for The Tale of Despereaux in 2004 and Flora & Ulysses in 2014. Her extensive bibliography includes titles such as The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane and the Mercy Watson series. She served as the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature from 2014 to 2015 and received the Regina Medal in 2019.
Professional methodology
The author maintains a rigorous schedule to sustain her output, which includes over 25 published novels. She has noted that she historically committed to writing two pages daily, often spending significant weekly hours reading adult fiction to refine her craft. Her career has been marked by a transition into full-time writing following the success of her first published work.
Fast facts
- Born: 1964, Philadelphia
- Education: University of Florida
- Notable Works: Because of Winn-Dixie, The Tale of Despereaux, Flora & Ulysses
- Newbery Medal wins: 2004, 2014
- National Ambassador for Young People's Literature: 2014-2015
- Regina Medal recipient: 2019
- Career hub: Minneapolis
- Languages: English
Questions readers ask
How many Newbery Medals has Kate DiCamillo won?
She has won the Newbery Medal twice, first for The Tale of Despereaux in 2004 and again for Flora & Ulysses in 2014.
Where did Kate DiCamillo work before becoming a full-time author?
Before her writing career took off, she held various jobs, including positions at Walt Disney World, Circus World, and a book warehouse called The Bookman in Minneapolis.
Achievements
- Newbery Medal — 2004
- Regina Medal — 2019
- Notable work: Because of Winn-Dixie
- Notable work: Flora & Ulysses
- Notable work: The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane
- Notable work: The Tale of Despereaux
- Genres: children's literature
.jpg)