An introduction to the Charlie Bone Series by Jenny Nimmo

British author Jenny Nimmo has written an enchanting series of books on Charlie Bone. He is a fatherless ten year old living with his mother, two grandmothers and an uncle in an old house at 9, Filbert Street. The first in the series of eight books is Midnight for Charlie Bone. Originally, Jenny Nimmo intended to write only five books.

The Red King

After finishing the first five books, she felt that some of the characters had been left at a loose end. Thus, the ensuing three books were written. The chronological order of the books is very important for the fans of Charlie Bone series. The series is also known as the Children of the Red King books.

An octet of books

The eight books are Midnight for Charlie Bone, The Time Twister, The Blue Boa, The Castle of Mirrors, Charlie Bone and the Hidden King, Charlie Bone and the Wilderness Wolf, Charlie Bone and the Shadow of Badlock, Charlie Bone and the Red Knight and finally The Secret Kingdom. Charlie Bone is the descendant of the Red King. The Red King’s descendants have magical powers and Charlie can hear sounds from people in photographs and pictures.

Bloor's Academy

Charlie has to go to Bloor’s Academy, a special school in order to polish his magical gifts. He gets to meet other similarly but oddly gifted children. To the mystery is added a lost baby girl whom Charlie Bone has to find at the Academy. He also meets Gabriel Silk, who can smell people’s feelings from their clothes. Smelling Charlie’s father’s tie Gabriel reveals that Charlie’s father is not dead but lost.

Personal experiences

The characters are ripe for being made into a movie. The Charlie Bone movie has been much awaited. Jenny Nimmo too lost her father when she was five years old and was sent to a strange, strict and cold boarding school. The dark and literally charged characters of the books are perhaps inspired by her childhood. Uncle Paton emits electrical surges and blows up bulbs by passing near them. Jenny Nimmo also has experience as a theatre actor, television director and a teacher to a trio of Italian children. She is married to David Wynn, a Welsh artist and has three children. She has written numerous books. The 67-year old author lives in Wales and devotes her time completely to writing and literary events.