Barbara O'Connor

Barbara O'Connor is an American children's book author known for her middle-grade novels that often feature Southern settings and themes. Born in 1950 in Greenville, South Carolina, she has written numerous acclaimed works including "How to Steal a Dog," "Wish," and "Wonderland." O'Connor's writing has earned significant recognition in children's literature, with her books receiving the Parents Choice Gold Award and being named ALA Notable Books. Her novel "How to Steal a Dog" has been particularly successful, being optioned for film adaptation and translated into multiple languages. Her body of work spans both fiction and non-fiction, including biographical works about notable figures such as Maria Montessori, Bessie Coleman, and Leonardo da Vinci. In addition to novels, she has written several biographical works for young readers that explore the lives of influential historical figures and artists. Currently residing in Asheville, North Carolina, O'Connor continues to contribute to children's literature, with recent works including "Halfway to Harmony" (2021). Her stories often explore themes of family relationships, friendship, and personal growth, typically set against the backdrop of the American South.

Readers consistently praise O'Connor's authentic portrayal of Southern culture and her ability to write complex child characters facing real-world challenges. Many parents and teachers note her books handle difficult topics like poverty and family struggles with sensitivity appropriate for middle-grade readers. What readers liked: - Relatable, well-developed characters - Accurate Southern dialogue and settings - Balance of humor with serious themes - Clean content suitable for classroom use - Strong emotional resonance What readers disliked: - Some find the pacing slow in early chapters - A few readers note predictable plot resolutions - Occasional criticism of dialect being hard to follow Ratings across platforms: - Goodreads: "How to Steal a Dog" 4.2/5 (24,000+ ratings) - "Wish" 4.3/5 (12,000+ ratings) - Amazon: Average 4.5/5 across titles - Common Sense Media: Recommended for ages 9-12 One teacher reviewer noted: "O'Connor captures the authentic voice of children dealing with adult-sized problems." Multiple reviewers mentioned crying at emotional moments while reading her books with their children.

How to Steal a Dog - A young girl living in poverty with her family in a car devises a plan to steal a dog for reward money.

Wish - A troubled 11-year-old girl moves to rural North Carolina to live with relatives and forms a special connection with a stray dog.

Wonderland - After moving to a trailer park in North Carolina, a young girl struggles to adjust while making unexpected friendships.

Halfway to Harmony - Set in 1965 Georgia, a boy coping with his brother's death befriends an elderly neighbor with an unusual plan.

Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia - A sixth-grade girl hopes to win a spelling contest to gain popularity and friendship.

The Small Adventure of Popeye and Elvis - A boy's mundane summer in South Carolina changes when a motor home family arrives in his hollow.

Greetings from Nowhere - Four different stories intersect at a struggling motel in the Great Smoky Mountains of North Carolina.

The Fantastic Secret of Owen Jester - A boy discovers a mysterious object that fell from a train and tries to determine its purpose.

On the Road to Mr. Mineo's - Multiple characters in a small South Carolina town become invested in catching an elusive one-legged pigeon.

Kate DiCamillo writes middle-grade novels featuring young protagonists dealing with loss and hope while forming unexpected friendships. Her books like "Because of Winn-Dixie" and "The Tiger Rising" share similar Southern settings and emotional depth to O'Connor's work.

Cynthia Lord creates stories about family dynamics and personal challenges in realistic settings. Her works like "Rules" and "Touch Blue" focus on characters navigating complicated relationships and finding their place in the world.

Linda Urban writes character-driven stories about kids facing everyday struggles and family changes. Her books deal with similar themes of resilience and self-discovery found in O'Connor's works.

Patricia MacLachlan crafts stories about family bonds and rural life with straightforward, accessible prose. Her books feature young characters dealing with change and loss while building connections with others.

Katherine Hannigan develops stories about determined young protagonists overcoming obstacles in small-town settings. Her work includes similar elements of personal growth and community connections found in O'Connor's novels.