A Decade of The Underneath: A Conversation with Kathi Appelt

Abstract

If you were like me, you likely hooted with excitement when you heard that Kathi Appelt’s The Underneath had received a Newbery Honor in 2009. My enthusiasm was tempered only by the fact that it didn’t win the Newbery Medal itself.

It’s hard to believe it’s been a decade since the notable book was published—garnering much praise (including being a 2008 National Book Award finalist) but also trigger warnings about its graphic depictions of animal abuse.