📖 Overview
Hannah Barnaby is an American children's book author known for writing middle grade novels and picture books. Her works often explore themes of family relationships, personal identity, and coming-of-age experiences.
Barnaby's debut novel "Wonder Show" (2012) earned recognition as a Morris Award finalist and tells the story of a young girl who runs away to join a traveling circus during the Dust Bowl era. Her other middle grade works include "Some of the Parts" (2016) and "Garcia & Colette Go Exploring" (2017).
Her picture books include "Bad Guy" (2017) and "There's Something About Sam" (2019), which have garnered attention for their engaging storytelling and exploration of childhood experiences. Barnaby holds an MA in Children's Literature from Simmons College and has worked as a children's book editor.
Beyond writing, Barnaby has served as the Children's Writer-in-Residence at the Boston Public Library and continues to contribute to the field of children's literature through workshops and speaking engagements. She currently resides in Virginia.
👀 Reviews
Readers appreciate Barnaby's handling of difficult themes in an age-appropriate way, particularly in "Wonder Show" and "Some of the Parts." Multiple reviews note her skill at balancing serious topics with moments of lightness.
Liked:
- Strong character development in "Wonder Show"
- Unique historical circus setting
- Picture books that capture authentic childhood experiences
- Humor and playfulness in "Bad Guy"
Disliked:
- Some found pacing slow in middle sections of novels
- A few readers wanted more plot resolution in "Some of the Parts"
- Several mentioned wanting deeper exploration of secondary characters
Ratings:
Goodreads:
- Wonder Show: 3.7/5 (1,200+ ratings)
- Some of the Parts: 3.5/5 (300+ ratings)
- Bad Guy: 4.1/5 (200+ ratings)
Amazon:
- Wonder Show: 4.2/5
- Bad Guy: 4.4/5
Notable reader comment: "Barnaby captures the voice of young characters without talking down to them" - Goodreads reviewer
📚 Books by Hannah Barnaby
Wonder Show - Set during the Dust Bowl era, this middle grade novel follows Portia Remini, who escapes a home for wayward girls to join a traveling circus sideshow.
Some of the Parts - A young adult novel about a teenage girl who discovers her deceased brother was an organ donor and sets out to find the recipients.
Garcia & Colette Go Exploring - A picture book that follows two friends who explore different environments—space and the ocean—only to discover the value of sharing adventures together.
Bad Guy - A picture book depicting a young boy who enjoys playing the villain in imaginary games with his sister.
There's Something About Sam - A picture book that tells the story of a classroom's new student who might be more unusual than they first appear.
Some of the Parts - A young adult novel about a teenage girl who discovers her deceased brother was an organ donor and sets out to find the recipients.
Garcia & Colette Go Exploring - A picture book that follows two friends who explore different environments—space and the ocean—only to discover the value of sharing adventures together.
Bad Guy - A picture book depicting a young boy who enjoys playing the villain in imaginary games with his sister.
There's Something About Sam - A picture book that tells the story of a classroom's new student who might be more unusual than they first appear.
👥 Similar authors
Katherine Applegate writes middle grade novels that combine realistic situations with elements of magic and wonder. Her books frequently feature young protagonists dealing with family changes and self-discovery, similar to Barnaby's exploration of identity themes.
Karen Cushman creates historical fiction for young readers with strong female protagonists who challenge societal expectations. Her work shares themes with Barnaby's "Wonder Show," particularly in depicting young characters finding their place in difficult historical periods.
Sharon Creech crafts stories about family dynamics and personal growth through both verse and prose. Her books focus on similar coming-of-age experiences and complex family relationships that appear in Barnaby's novels.
Rebecca Stead explores the complexities of growing up through stories that blend everyday life with unexpected elements. Her work mirrors Barnaby's approach to examining personal identity and family connections in middle grade fiction.
Linda Urban writes character-driven stories that deal with change and self-discovery in young people's lives. Her books share Barnaby's attention to emotional depth and family dynamics in both middle grade novels and picture books.
Karen Cushman creates historical fiction for young readers with strong female protagonists who challenge societal expectations. Her work shares themes with Barnaby's "Wonder Show," particularly in depicting young characters finding their place in difficult historical periods.
Sharon Creech crafts stories about family dynamics and personal growth through both verse and prose. Her books focus on similar coming-of-age experiences and complex family relationships that appear in Barnaby's novels.
Rebecca Stead explores the complexities of growing up through stories that blend everyday life with unexpected elements. Her work mirrors Barnaby's approach to examining personal identity and family connections in middle grade fiction.
Linda Urban writes character-driven stories that deal with change and self-discovery in young people's lives. Her books share Barnaby's attention to emotional depth and family dynamics in both middle grade novels and picture books.