Writing at an age-appropriate level

When I was raising my children I always focused on being open with them but keeping language at an age appropriate level.  I don't believe there are any "Off-Limit subjects". If my children were asking about something, or had been exposed to something, then I worked hard to help them understand using age-appropriate language; even when the topic was uncomfortable for me.  When I started writing children's books, and especially with this particular topic in Maddie Finds Her Place, I really focused on that strategy.  My experience is that, if the language is framed well, then children at each age level receive exactly what they need and are capable of understanding the conversation.

When I initially brought the story to Maddie to talk to her about it, she and I spent some time talking about the important things to include. One of the things that had always struck me about Maddie's experience was that every time she left a home and went to a new home, she only had the backpack she was carrying.  Each time she was starting over with almost nothing. This was something we wanted in the story, but again at an age appropriate level. So instead of actually speaking about this, I asked the illustrator to draw it into the story.  In every picture throughout the story you will see Maddie's backpack. 

Another thing that was very important to me, was that the strength and resilience Maddie had to develop to take care of herself was outstanding.  In real life, Maddie was actually older before she moved in with me, and I was so impressed that, in spite of her experiences, here was a teenager who hadn't turned to drugs or alcohol, hadn't gotten into trouble. I wanted people to see how strong she had to be for herself, when none of the adults around her were capable of helping her.