- The setting of the story is in Nigeria, West Africa, where the author, Karen Charles, grew up. It takes place at the American boarding school she attended and the town where her parents worked.
- Evan’s Gift is based on a true story of Karen Charles working to earn enough money to buy a bicycle when she was growing up in Africa.
Evan’s Gift was originally published in 1984. Karen Charles rewrote the story and republished it.- The illustrator of Evan’s Gift is a world-renowned installation artist who resides in and has a studio in Seattle, Washington.
- Evan’s Gift is a children’s story intentionally aligned with CASEL’s Social-Emotional Learning framework. Through an engaging, age-appropriate narrative, the book supports the development of:
- Social Awareness – recognizing kindness, empathy, and the feelings of others
- Self-Awareness – understanding emotions and the impact of one’s actions
- Relationship Skills – practicing caring behavior, respect, and positive interaction
- Responsible Decision-Making – choosing kindness even in small, everyday moments
Evan’s Gift provides a natural entry point for classroom discussion, reflection, and connection, making SEL concepts meaningful and accessible to students ages 5–12.
Karen Charles has a page of discussion questions in the back of the book that parents and teachers can use with their children. She has also developed teacher question-and-answer guides and student handouts free for the asking.
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.
Ethan’s Gift is available at BookBaby.