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Books by Karen Hesse | Wonderlit

Books by Karen Hesse

19 books · Ages 3–18

Karen Hesse writes picture books and middle grade and young adult for ages 3–18, exploring themes of resilience & perseverance, family & siblings, hope & optimism.

Standalone Books

Cover of Letters from Rifka

Letters from Rifka

Feel the weight of a young Jewish girl's daunting journey through the dangers of Anti-Semitic Germany.

Cover of Wish on a Unicorn

Wish on a Unicorn

Maggie often feels the weight of caring for her younger sister Hannie, but a sudden crisis reveals the quiet magic in Ha

Cover of Lester's Dog

The neighborhood dog is fierce and terrifying, but a young boy finds his courage when he realizes a tiny, abandoned kitt

By Age Range

Granny and Bean

Lester's Dog

Come on, rain!

Lavender

Letters from Rifka

Common Themes

Resilience & Perseverance Family & Siblings Hope & Optimism History Love & Family Nature & Outdoors Growing Up Fear & Bravery

Ages 4–8

Cover of Phoenix Rising

Life on a Vermont farmhouse changes forever for thirteen-year-old Nyle when she takes in a boy suffering from a nearby n

Cover of The Music of the Dolphins

The Music of the Dolphins

Mila was raised by dolphins, but after she is rescued and brought to land, she struggles with the restrictions of human

Cover of Out of the Dust

Out of the Dust

Dust storms ravage the family farm while Billie Jo struggles to find hope after a tragic accident leaves her unable to p

Cover of Just Juice

Nine-year-old Juice realizes her family is in trouble and decides the only way to help save their home is to head back t

Cover of Come on, rain!

The air is thick with heat and the clouds are turning grey as a young girl waits for the first cool drops of a long-awai

Cover of Witness

Voices from a small Vermont town reveal the tension and fear that arrive when the Ku Klux Klan begins to infiltrate thei

Cover of Lavender

Codie races to finish a handmade quilt for her new cousin while wondering if her favorite aunt will still have time for

Cover of The Young Hans Christian Andersen

The Young Hans Christian Andersen

Real-life moments from a young Danish boy's childhood serve as the secret sparks that eventually ignite his world-famous

Cover of Spuds

For the child who wants to help their family but doesn't quite know how. A gentle exploration of a mistake made with the

Cover of A Time of Angels

A Time of Angels

For the child navigating deep loss or family separation, this lyrical story offers a sense of hope and spiritual comfort

Cover of Granny and Bean

Granny and Bean

For children seeking the comfort of a special grown-up's undivided attention. This rhythmic story celebrates the quiet,

Cover of Night Job

For children who miss a parent working long or unusual hours, this atmospheric story celebrates the quiet dignity of wor

Cover of Safekeeping

Armed only with her own resourcefulness, sixteen-year-old Radley flees toward the Canadian border to escape a dangerous

Cover of Aleutian Sparrow

Aleutian Sparrow

An Aleut girl witnesses the forced relocation of her people during World War II in this moving story told through sequen

Cover of The Cats in Krasinski Square

The Cats in Krasinski Square

Two sisters use a band of stray cats to outsmart the Gestapo and smuggle food to their loved ones trapped behind the War

Cover of Sable

A stray dog with silky fur brings joy to a Vermont farmhouse, but when neighbors complain about her roaming, one girl mu

Wish on a Unicorn

Lester's Dog

Letters from Rifka

Wish on a Unicorn

Phoenix Rising

If Your Family Loves Karen Hesse, Also Try

What We'll Build: Plans for Our Together Future

What We'll Build: Plans for Our Together Future

The House on the Canal: The Story of the House That Hid Anne Frank

The House on the Canal: The Story of the House That Hid Anne Frank

The Summer We Found the Baby

The Summer We Found the Baby

Dream

Matthew Cordell

Gammysaurus and Me

Little Hedgehog Books

Gammysaurus and Me