Overview

Kathleen Ernst is an award-winning, bestselling American author of twenty-five published books. In addition to mysteries and historical fiction for adults and young readers, she has written poetry, a young adult (YA) novel, and a non-fiction history about the American Civil War. Kathleen's work has earned numerous honors, including multiple Edgar and Agatha national mystery award nominations, and an Emmy for educational programming. To date, readers have purchased well over three-quarters of a million audio, electronic, and printed copies of her books.

Kathleen's books fall into three main groups: American Girl mysteries and historical fiction for readers ages 8 and up; Chloe Ellefson mysteries for adults and mature teens; and American Civil War books for adults and young readers.

American Girl

Kathleen is the creator of Caroline Abbott, the newest American Girl historical character, and author of the award-winning seven book series about her. The latest, Traitor In The Shipyard, came out in February 2013. It is Kathleen's fifteenth book for American Girl.

Chloe Ellefson

Kathleen created and writes the award-winning Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites mysteries. The third book in the series, The Light Keeper's Legacy, was released in October 2012 by Midnight Ink. The fourth, Heritage Of Darkness, is set for release in fall 2013. Kathleen is under contract for, and busy writing, the fifth book.

American Civil War

Kathleen has written five historical fiction novels for young readers, and one non-fiction history book for adults, about the Civil War. The latter, Too Afraid to Cry: Maryland Civilians in the Antietam Campaign, earned her a National Park Service invitation to speak at the 2012 ceremonies marking the 150th anniversary of the Battle of Antietam.

Personal

Kathleen lives in Middleton, Wisconsin, with her husband and cat. She grew up in Maryland, in a family that considered books as fundamental to life as food and water. She started writing as a child and never stopped! Today, she finds researching books as much fun as writing them.

Professional

Kathleen earned a B.S. degree in Environmental Education from West Virginia University and a M.A. degree in History Education and Writing from Antioch University, Ohio. She spent over a decade working as an educator and curator for the State Historical Society of Wisconsin, and another decade scripting and producing instructional television series for the Wisconsin Educational Communications Board/Wisconsin Public Television. These experiences helped provide the foundation for her current full-time job as a self-employed writer.

Additional Information

Lists of Kathleen's writings, video works, and awards she has earned can be found further down this page. Additional details about Kathleen can be found on her About Me page and on the pages below.

News Page

The photos above should be credited to Kay Klubertanz.

Books

Kathleen is the author of twenty-five published books.

• Fifteen historical novels and mysteries for young readers from American Girl
• Three Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites mysteries for adults and mature teens from Midnight Ink
• Five children's historical novels about the American Civil War from Dutton and White Mane Kids
• One non-fiction history book about the American Civil War from Stackpole Books
• One young adult (YA) novel from Cricket Books

For details about an individual book, please click on its title below.

Heritage of Darkness - Midnight Ink, Coming Fall 2013

Traitor In The Shipyard: A Caroline Abbott Mystery - American Girl, 2013

The Light Keeper’s Legacy: A Chloe Ellefson Mystery - Midnight Ink, 2012

Changes For Caroline -  American Girl, 2012

Caroline’s Battle - American Girl, 2012

Caroline Takes A Chance - American Girl, 2012

A Surprise For Caroline - American Girl, 2012

Caroline’s Secret Message - American Girl, 2012

Meet Caroline: An American Girl - American Girl, 2012

The Heirloom Murders: A Chloe Ellefson Mystery - Midnight Ink, 2011

Old World Murder: A Chloe Ellefson Mystery - Midnight Ink, 2010

Clues in the Shadows: A Molly Mystery - American Girl, 2009

The Runaway Friend: A Kirsten Mystery - American Girl, 2008

Midnight in Lonesome Hollow: A Kit Mystery - American Girl, 2007

Hearts of Stone - Dutton, 2006

Secrets in the Hills: A Josefina Mystery - American Girl, 2006

Highland Fling - Cricket Books, 2006

Danger at the Zoo: A Kit Mystery - American Girl, 2005

Betrayal at Cross Creek - Pleasant Company, 2004

Ghosts of Vicksburg - White Mane Kids, 2003

Whistler in the Dark - Pleasant Company, 2002

Trouble at Fort La Pointe - Pleasant Company, 2000

Retreat from Gettysburg - White Mane Kids, 2000

Too Afraid to Cry: Maryland Civilians in the Antietam Campaign - Stackpole, 1999

The Bravest Girl in Sharpsburg - White Mane Kids, 1997

The Night Riders of Harpers Ferry - White Mane Kids, 1996

Portrait photos above should be credited to Geri Gerrold.

Writing Awards and Honors

• Agatha Award Nomination, Malice Domestic (three times)
• Anne Powers Prize for Best Fiction Book, Council for Wisconsin Writers
• Arthur Tofte Juvenile Literature Award, Council for Wisconsin Writers (five times)
• Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program Prize Pick
• Best Historical Fiction Novel Award Nomination, Disney Adventures magazine
• "Books for the Teen Age" List, New York Public Library (twice)
• Children's Literature Award, Society of Midland Authors
• Edgar Allan Poe Award Nomination, Mystery Writers of America
• Editors' Choice Selection, Historical Novels Review
• Flora MacDonald Award, Scottish Heritage Center, St. Andrews Presbyterian College
• History Book Club Alternate Selection
• LOVEY Award for Best Traditional Mystery, Love Is Murder Mystery Writers Conference
• Teachers' Choices Selection, International Reading Association
• WILLA Literary Award Finalist, Women Writing the West
• Grand Prize winner, Franciscan Spirituality Center Writing Contest

Videos

Kathleen's involvement in video production is divided into two parts: before and after becoming a full-time, self-employed author. As the Co-owner of Kathleen Ernst, LLC, she had the following roles in these videos.

• Old World Memories - Take a personal tour of Old World Wisconsin with Kathleen as she explains how this real outdoor ethnic history museum became the fictional setting for her first adult mystery novel, Old World Murder. Script by Kathleen Ernst, Videography by Scott Meeker, and Edited by Tom Micksch. Copyright Kathleen Ernst, LLC 2013.

• Handwork - Since so many 19^th-century women left no written records behind, Kathleen has long been fascinated by the remnants of their lives that do remain. After writing a poem entitled Handword Kathleen created a video version of it. Script, Videography and Editing by Kathleen Ernst. Copyright Kathleen Ernst, LLC 2011.

• Migration Of A Tradition - What's an ale bowl? Join Kathleen at Vesterheim Norwegian-American Museum as she researches ale bowls while writing Old World Murder. Script by Kathleen Ernst, Videography and Editing by Scott Meeker. Copyright 2010 by Kathleen Ernst.
  
  
• Winter Visit To Vesterheim - While doing developing her Chloe Ellefson Historic Sites mystery series Kathleen visited the Vesterheim Museum in Deocrah IA to do research on Chloe's Norwegian-American heritage. Script by Kathleen Ernst, Videography and Editing by Scott Meeker. Copyright 2010 by Kathleen Ernst.

As a Project Director, Scriptwriter, and Teacher Guide Co-Author, Kathleen facilitated the development and production of the following instructional videos for Wisconsin Public Television.

• Cultural Horizons - North American version of Cultural Horizons of Wisconsin developed in partnership with public broadcasting stations in Atlanta, Colorado, Oregon, and in Quebec, Canada.

• Cultural Horizons of Wisconsin - A series of ten 20-minute shows for grades 4 through 6, fosters respect for and appreciation of the human diversity that enriches Wisconsin.

• Exploring Wisconsin Our Home - These fourteen 15-minute shows incorporate five geographic themes to depict the state’s history as well as its cultural and economic bounty, helping students in grade 4 to understand the interactions between physical geography and human activity.

• Investigating Wisconsin History - History comes alive for fourth grade-students in these twelve 15-minute programs as they become detectives searching for evidence about the state’s past and solving "history mysteries" of their own.

• New Dawn of Tradition: A Wisconsin Powwow - A 15-minute video showcasing an aspect of Native American culture that embraces many Indian nations, tribes, and bands. New Dawn of Tradition introduces fourth- and fifth-graders to the powwow as a cultural celebration.

Video Awards and Honors

• Emmy Award for Outstanding Achievement in Children's Programming, Midwest Chapter - National Academy of Television Arts & Sciences
• Parents' Choice Recommended Seal
• Judges' Award for Instructional Innovation, National Educational Telecommunications Association
• Wilbur Schramm Award of Excellence, National Educational Telecommunications Association
• Platinum Best of Show Award, Aurora Independent Film and Video Competition
• Gold Award, Aurora Independent Film and Video Competition
• "Excellence in Multicultural and Global Programming" Citation, Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction
• Crystal Award, Association for Educational Communications and Technology
• Award of Excellence, Central Education Network

Short Works

Kathleen has also had articles, essays, and poems published in America's Civil War, Appalachian Heritage, Boundary Waters Journal, Civil War Times Illustrated, Cobblestone, Columbiad, Fox Cry Review, Perceptions Journal, Quilters' Newsletter Magazine, Wilderness, Wisconsin Trails, and other publications.