Kate Larkin, the Bone Expert

by Lindsey Tate, Diane Palmisciano (Illustrator)

The adventurous and curious Kate Larkin hasn’t given much thought to her bones before—until she breaks one. For Kate, this accident marks the start of a fascinating exploration into the world of science. From X-rays at the hospital to her first days getting used to wearing a cast, Kate recounts the ups and downs of having a broken bone.Her road to recovery is full of interesting people and information, and before long, Kate is riding her bike again, good as new!

Genres: Fiction, Chapter Books, Juvenile

80 pages, Hardcover

First published May 27, 2008

About the author

Lindsey Tate's most recent work is a memoir she wrote with blind artist John Bramblitt, entitled Shouting in the Dark. It was a joy to collaborate with John and turn his extraordinary life story into a book. While writing and researching the book Lindsey gained an understanding of what it might be like to be blind, and of what it truly means to see. She was inspired by John's sheer determination, his extraordinary artwork and his positive outlook on life. See his website (bramblitt.net)

Lindsey grew up in England and graduated from Cambridge University in 1989. There she studied French and Russian language, literature and history and became a big fan of Dostoyevsky, especially his novel "The Idiot." She moved to New York after college, worked as an intern in children's book publishing, and then as a literary scout.

Her first children's book was published, Claire and the Friendly Snakes, inspired by her young sister-in-law who was terrified of snake-like objects. Her next children's book, Teatime with Emma Buttersnap, grew out of Lindsey's British love of tea and teatime and was the first book in which she combined fiction and non-fiction. Kate Larkin, Bone Expert continued this mixing of genres by placing factual information within a fictional narrative. The underlying idea was also true - as Lindsey's youngest daughter's broken arm inspired the writing of the book. As the mother of two intense snowboarders Lindsey could have written a whole series about broken limbs but decided to turn her attention elsewhere.

She wrote the book, Mind Reader, for world renowned mentalist, Lior Suchard (liorsuchard.com) and still does not know how he achieves the amazing things he does - including reading her mind every time he sees her. But she has learned the art of mirroring and now has a pretty impressive power stare.

Lindsey is currently at work on two novels - a middle-grade fantasy and a YA romance. She also writes reading group guides.

Reviews

[Chloe (Always Booked) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. This was a quick, cute story about a girl who breaks a bone. She knows a lot about bones and gives some basic information but my kids were gripped by her experience in the ER.

[Katie Fitzgerald · Rating 3 out of 5]

When Kate Larkin falls off her bike and breaks her arm, she must visit the hospital, then find ways to have fun that don’t involve using her injured bone. As a result, she becomes a bone expert - and eventually, she heals well enough to get back on her bike and ride again!

Though the story is fiction, the strength of this book really lies in its delivery of factual information. It is a straightforward story about a common childhood experience that explains every last detail of the medical procedures and equipment used to treat a broken bone. Through Kate’s experience, young readers are able to understand the type of break Kate has, how the cast will help her bone to heal, and how difficult it is to wait while the healing process takes place. Any young child who has broken a bone will be curious about what will happen, both inside his or her body, and outside, as the bone heals, and this book will answer every question readers could have, and probably even a few they’d never think up on their own.

There is very little character development in this book, as Kate mainly serves as a talking head for the medical information. Though this would ordinarily be a criticism, it’s not really in this case, as I see this as a title that will mainly be used to help a child through a similar experience, or to indulge the fascination kids tend to have to with illness and broken bones in early elementary school. Reading this book reminded me of a favorite from my own childhood, a picture book called Jenny’s in the Hospital, which similarly relates all the details of breaking an arm, though with considerably less detail. It also makes a great read-alike for Howard J. Bennett’s medical mystery chapter book series starring Max Archer, Kid Detective.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good early readers are so hard to find and this one is GREAT. The story is about the time Kate broke her arm. Filled with facts about bones, anatomy, and even references dinosaurs, it "weighs in" with an impressive 64 pages. Additionally there are experiments and a glossary. I had this one on my to read list for a few years. (I was so impressed that my town library owned it - yay tax dollars being put to good use!) I thoroughly enjoyed Kate Larkin and will put it on my "go to" for gifts. Wish it had been around when my kids were little. Perfect for PK-2nd graders who are reading early series like Magic Tree House, etc. Also great potential in the classroom for an early book club read.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the library because my daughter wanted a chapter book and has been interested in bones and muscles for a while now. I was really impressed! The basic story is about a girl who breaks her arm, her visit to the hospital, and what she learns about bones. However, I was impressed with the simple way the author lays out complicated concepts about bones, like the difference between an osteoblast and osteoclast, what the inside of the bone looks like, and how it heals. At the end of the book is a collection of easy experiments for kids to do. I read this to my 4 year old. She learned a lot (I did too), liked the pictures, and wanted to read it again when we got done with it. I'd highly recommend it for 4-6 year olds, and maybe even 7 year olds.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

I could have used this book during the last few years. Every class that came to the library seemed to have more than one broken arm! The main character in this book suffers the usual childhood mishap, which results in a visit to the hospital and a rehabilitation of a broken bone. This short chapter book is as informative as it is interesting in relating what is happening under their cast.

[Charlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

If one wants or needs a story all about broken bones, this is the book. Children who have had a broken arm will recognize the experience and perhaps those who wish for a broken bone may re-think that idea. Kate is 8 years old when a fall causes a simple fracture of her arm. Because of the experience, she learns about X-rays, bones, their importance, and how they heal when broken.

[Joenna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kate Larkin falls and breaks her bone. She is rushed to the hospital and gets a cast. She realized all the things she can't do now. The story takes the reader through the pain, what a broken bone means, how it heals, and some official terms. Really cute book. Good for 1st-2nd grade.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

A meager easy chapter story is the fiction flesh that's draped over a nonfiction explanation of bones. Kate falls and breaks her arm, subsequently learning all about the skeletal system. This would be perfect for those kids who are really into medical stuff.

[Amy Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

Kate becomes a bone expert when she breaks her arm one summer. Perfect for a beginning chapter book and also good for kids who are going through the experience of having a broken bone.