Can Characters in a Children’s Book Learn and Grow? (Katie and Kimble: A Ghost Story, reading level 3)

After I’d written Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story, I attended a workshop for writers of children’s literature. When the workshop leader found out I was writing a children’s book series, she made an odd comment. She said that when writing a series for children, the characters always have to be the same age. This means that they can’t learn and grow.

To say the least, I disagreed. One thing I make sure happens in each Katie & Kimble book is that both Katie and Kimble find some measure of healing and growth. Nine-year-old Katie is coming into her own in every way. She is learning to make her own decisions and discovering that she has the power to help people. Kimble, the ghost of a ten-year-old girl, becomes less and less a victim. She is no longer trapped in time because Katie helps her discover what happened to her mother. Katie also helps Kimble say goodbye to her mother. This provides Kimble with some healing and closure.

Read the original interview from Hope’s Bookshelf here.

Mom’s Choice Awards® has named the Katie & Kimble series among the best in family-friendly media, products and services. Winner: Juvenile Books Series.

Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story (Book 1 in the series) and Katie & Kimble: The Magic Wish (Book 2 in the series) are available here:

Paperback version: $5.95

Click here to order Katie & Kimble: A Ghost Story!

Click here to order Katie & Kimble: The Magic Wish (Book 2)!

[Reading Level 3, 280L, for ages 6-10]