As of my knowledge cutoff date in March 2023, Katie Kennedy is an author known for writing young adult novels, often with a focus on science fiction or historical themes. She has a background in history and education and has worked as a college history instructor, high school teacher, and museum curator. Kennedy's writing is appreciated for its strong character development, humor, and well-crafted storytelling. Her works include titles such as "Learning to Swear in America," where a young Russian physicist tries to save the world from an incoming asteroid, and "What Goes Up," which features teens competing to join a team of young astronauts. Note that there may be more than one author named Katie Kennedy; without specific details, this description pertains to the one recognized for the works mentioned.