Who is Sara-Kate Connolly from Afternoon of the Elves and what is their importance?

Sara-Kate is an eleven-year-old girl, who doesn't quite fit in. She is a loner, she eats strange foods for lunch, and her clothing doesn't match. As a result, she is often made fun of by her classmates.

Over the course of the novel, Sara-Kate befriends Hillary and shows her the elf village in her backyard. And although, she is gruff and short-tempered with Hillary........ Hillary embraces her new friend and tolerates her abuse.

In reality, Sara-Kate's mother is very sick woman, and Sara-Kate has been responsible for everything in the household. When her living conditions are exposed, Sara-Kate is forced to move away to Kansas with her relatives.