Kline was born in Berkeley, California, to Harry, a realtor, and Martha Weaver, a substitute teacher.
Kline was first inspired to write when she wrote a series of letters to her grandfather.
In 1967 she earned a teaching credential at California State University at Hayward.
Kline began teaching at Shannon Elementary School in Richmond, California.
Over the course of 21 years, Kline wrote and published the entire Herbie Jones series.