Can you tell us what your new children’s book, Evan’s Stormy Voyage, is about?

 

Eight-year-old Evan has never crossed an ocean before.

When his parents tell him they are leaving New York for West Africa, everything familiar slips away in a blur of crowded docks, towering cargo ships, and tearful goodbyes beneath the Statue of Liberty. Soon, Evan finds himself aboard a freighter crossing the Atlantic — a floating world of roaring engines, endless water, mysterious passengers, and adventures around every corner.

At first, the voyage feels magical. Evan explores the ship’s library, watches flying fish skim the waves, spots whales from the bridge, and celebrates his birthday on the open deck, lit by strings of lights. But the journey grows far more complicated when Evan meets Mateo, a quiet boy with secrets of his own.

As storms pound the ship and hurricane-force winds churn the sea, the boys form an unlikely friendship over puzzles, model ships, and long conversations about leaving home behind. Yet when Evan’s treasured airplane kit suddenly disappears, suspicion threatens to destroy the bond they have built.

Far from home and surrounded by the vast Atlantic, Evan must learn that courage is not about being fearless. It is choosing kindness when hurt runs deep, forgiveness when trust is broken, and compassion when someone needs it most.

Filled with unforgettable characters, breathtaking ocean scenes, and heartfelt moments of friendship, Evan’s Stormy Voyage is a rich coming-of-age adventure that celebrates empathy, resilience, and the power of human connection across cultures. Perfect for readers who love emotionally rich adventure stories, this second book in the Evan’s Adventures in Africa series invites children into a world of discovery they will never forget.

 

What is the main message or feeling you hope young readers take away from your book?

 

• Courage doesn’t mean you aren’t afraid. Evan can feel scared, uncertain, or overwhelmed and still keep going. That gives children a healthier picture of bravery: I can be afraid and still be brave.
• Storms are temporary. The voyage can become a gentle metaphor for difficult moments in childhood. When things feel chaotic or frightening, children can learn that they can make it through and eventually find calmer waters.
• Trust yourself and keep moving forward. Evan’s journey can encourage children to listen to their inner voice, make choices, and discover that they are more capable than they initially realize.
• You don’t have to face hard things alone. The story includes people who help Evan, reinforcing that asking for help isn’t a weakness — connection is part of courage.
• Adventure can come from uncertainty. The storm isn’t simply an obstacle; it changes Evan and teaches him something. Children can come away seeing challenges not just as things to escape, but as experiences through which they grow. 

 

The feeling I’d want children to leave with:

 

“I can handle hard things. Even when I’m scared or don’t know what will happen next, I can keep going, ask for help, and trust that I can find my way.”

And emotionally, I’d want to leave them feeling brave, hopeful, comforted, and curious — not that storms are nothing to fear, but that they are not bigger than the child facing them.

That could become a particularly strong central message: “Every child has a stormy voyage sometimes — and every child has the courage to navigate it.”

 

If your book has pictures, how does your work with the illustrator function? Do you collaborate closely or see the art at the very end?

 

The illustrator who did the pictures for the first book in the Evan’s Adventures Series was unavailable, so, with great trepidation, I did the illustrations using AI. That is acknowledged at the front of the book.

 

How can parents or teachers use your book to start meaningful conversations with kids?

 

At the end of every book in the Evan’s Adventures in Africa series, there are questions for parents and teachers to use to start meaningful conversations with kids as well as activities.

 

If your book could be turned into a movie, TV show, or video game, which format would you pick and why?

 

I would choose a movie because I think Evan’s journey would be beautiful to experience visually. The ocean, the storm, the uncertainty, and the moments of courage could create a really immersive experience for children. I also love the idea of watching Evan grow throughout the journey and seeing his emotions reflected in the world around him. A movie could capture both the excitement of the adventure and the story’s deeper message — that even when we face storms and feel afraid, we can find courage, keep going, and make it through.

When plotting out your books, do you outline everything first or write by the seat of your pants?

 

I plot out the story in an outline, which I change along the way.

 

If you could give one piece of advice to kids who want to write their own stories one day, what would it be?

 

Don’t be afraid to use your imagination! You don’t have to know the whole story when you start. Just begin, have fun, and let your characters take you on an adventure. And remember — your story is special because only you can tell it.

Eight-year-old Evan has never crossed an ocean before. Leaving behind the familiar streets of New York, he boards a massive freighter ship with his parents, bound for West Africa, where his family will live for the next four years. Excited yet uncertain, Evan watches the Statue of Liberty fade into the mist and wonders what waits for him on the other side of the Atlantic.

 

Life aboard the freighter feels like a floating world of its own. The ship carries only a handful of passengers, and Evan quickly befriends Mateo, another boy his age who is traveling to Ghana to live with his grandparents for a year. Together, the boys explore the ship’s narrow passageways, climb to the bridge where Captain Morales lets Evan help steer the vessel, and spend long afternoons in the ship’s library building model kits and solving puzzles while storms churn across the ocean outside.

 

As the days pass, their friendship deepens. Evan learns that Mateo misses his family as much as he does, and the two boys discover what it means to trust someone far from home. But when Evan’s prized airplane model kit suddenly disappears, suspicion and hurt threaten to destroy their friendship. Angry and confused, Evan must decide whether to hold onto resentment or search for understanding.

 

Meanwhile, the voyage itself grows more dangerous. A hurricane drifts far off its usual course, slamming the freighter with towering waves that leave passengers frightened and seasick. In the middle of the storm, Evan witnesses courage from the crew, compassion among strangers, and the quiet strength of his own parents as they face uncertainty together. Through the chaos of the sea and the heartbreak of betrayal, Evan begins to mature in ways he never expected.

 

When the ship finally reaches the bustling ports of Liberia, Ghana, and ultimately Lagos, Nigeria, Evan is overwhelmed by sights and sounds unlike anything he has ever known—towering cranes unloading containers, humid air thick with salt and diesel, crowded harbors alive with movement, and vibrant new cultures waiting beyond the docks. Yet the hardest moment comes when Mateo must leave the ship in Ghana. Their emotional goodbye forces Evan to confront how deeply friendship can change a person, even in a short time.

 

Filled with adventure, heart, humor, and emotional depth, Evan’s Stormy Voyage is a middle-grade coming-of-age novel about courage, kindness, forgiveness, and finding home in unfamiliar places. Inspired by the author’s experiences growing up in Africa, the story offers young readers a vivid journey across the Atlantic as it explores universal themes of friendship, empathy, resilience, and cultural discovery. Fans of heartfelt adventure stories will be swept into Evan’s unforgettable voyage as he learns that the greatest discoveries are often the ones made within ourselves.

 

Evan’s Stormy Voyage is available at Amazon.

 

╰┈➤Book Details 

➺Title: Evan’s Stormy Voyage
➺Author: Karen Charles
➺Genre: Children’s Series
➺Language:English
➺Pages: 72
➺Publisher: BookBaby
➺Publication Date: ‎ August 24, 2026
➺Formats: Paperback
➺Paperback ISBN: ‎979-8317844738

Karen Charles grew up in West Africa and traveled to countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. Her rich background and lifetime experiences are reflected in the depth of her writing. In her stories, she transforms real-life narratives into gripping fiction thrillers. Her novels intricately weave the threads of truth into a tapestry of suspense, intrigue, and riveting storytelling. She is the author of two children’s books, “Freeman Earns a Bike” and “Evan’s Gifts,” and three thrillers based on true stories. “Fateful Connections” takes place in the aftermath of 9/11, and “Blazing Upheaval” takes place during the Rodney King riots in Los Angeles and the Northridge earthquake. “A Glimpse Too Far” offers all the mystery and heart-pounding suspense of a psychological thriller and is based on a true story.

Karen Charles has two businesses—a global company that trains international teachers to teach American English and an Airbnb on a beautiful bay in Washington State, where she currently resides with her husband. 

Visit her website at www.weaveofsuspense.com. 

Connect with her on X, Facebook and LinkedIn.

 

 

Can you tell us a little about yourself? Are you a full-time author?

 

I wear a few different hats. I’m a part-time author, but storytelling has always been part of who I am. My primary work is training teachers internationally to teach American English, which allows me to connect with people and cultures around the world. I also run an Airbnb year-round, which keeps me grounded in hospitality and human connection. Writing fits naturally alongside these roles because all of them, in one way or another, are about people, empathy, and communication.

 

Can you tell us about Evan’s Gift? 

 

Evan’s Gift is a story about a young boy who faces a simple yet powerful choice. Evan dreams of getting a new bike, but when he sees a greater need, he makes a decision that changes not only someone else’s life, but his own. The story gently shows children that kindness, compassion, and generosity often come at a cost, but the rewards are far greater than anything we can buy. 

 

 Can you tell us a little about the characters?

 

Evan is a thoughtful, kind-hearted boy who represents the best of what children are capable of when they listen to their hearts. The supporting characters, his family, dorm parents, roommates, classmates, and friends, help shape his understanding of empathy and responsibility. Each character plays a role in showing that even small actions can create meaningful change.

 

 

 

Where is this book set, and why did you choose that location?

 

The story is set in Africa, which is very close to my heart. I grew up at an American boarding school in Nigeria, and those early experiences deeply shaped how I see the world. I wanted the setting to reflect a place where community, generosity, and human connection are essential to daily life. Africa felt like the perfect backdrop for a story about compassion, awareness, and seeing beyond oneself.

 

How can people benefit from reading Evan’s Gift?

 

Children learn that kindness matters and that their choices, even small ones, can make a difference. For parents and educators, the book opens the door to meaningful conversations about empathy, gratitude, and social responsibility. It’s especially useful in classrooms and homes as a gentle introduction to social-emotional learning.

 

Is Evan’s Gift your only book?

 

 

No, I’ve written books for both children and adults. My adult novels are psychological thrillers based on true events, while Evan’s Gift reflects my lifelong work with children, education, and cross-cultural experiences. Although the genres differ, all my writing explores human behavior, compassion, and the choices we make.

 

Thank you so much for this interview, Karen. What’s next for you?

 

Thank you, it’s been a pleasure. I plan to continue training teachers internationally while sharing Evan’s Gift with schools, libraries, and families. I’m also always writing, sometimes children’s stories, sometimes novels for adults, because storytelling remains one of the most powerful ways we connect and learn from one another.

 

 

 

When Evan trades his dream of a new bike for compassion, he discovers the greatest gift of all—helping others. Perfect for classrooms and families, “Evan’s Gift” celebrates empathy, courage, and the beauty of giving in a warm, uplifting story about generosity and the power of choosing kindness.

╰┈➤Book Details

• Genre:children’s fiction
• Sub-genre:Social Themes / Friendship
• Age Range (years):5 – 12
• Language:English
• Pages: 48
• Paperback ISBN:9798317824341
• Publisher: BookBaby

Ethan’s Gift is available at BookBaby.

╰┈➤Here’s What Readers Have To Say!

“What a lovely story! This is a life lesson wrapped in an engaging and beautifully illustrated package geared toward readers 5 – 12. Charles opted to provide an abundance of sensory details for her readers, so the younger ages might need assistance from a parent if they are not fluent readers. Middle-grade readers ages 8 – 12 will appreciate the additional details. Knowing this is inspired by a true story makes it extra special. With stunning artwork by Roger Feldman, Evan’s Gift is sure to delight readers with its touching story and expressive illustrations.” – The Children’s and Teens’ Book Connection

 

“Even’s Gift is a story that your youngster is able to relate to the characters. The message will stick with your youngster for a longtime after they’ve read the story. This story can be used by teachers or parents to help open conversations. The words are perfect for emerging and middle grade readers. Kids and adults will love this book. I love the discussion questions and activity guide at the end of the book.  If you are looking for a book with the following themes then this would be a good book to read” – The Blended Blog

╰┈➤Read if you love…

Adventure

Empathy

Courage

Friendship

Generosity

Kindness