Michelle Barker
Michelle Barker | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1964 (age 60–61) |
| Occupation | Author, editor, educator |
| Language | English |
| Nationality | Canadian |
| Education | MFA in Creative Writing, University of British Columbia |
| Notable works | The House of One Thousand Eyes |
| Notable awards | Amy Mathers Teen Book Award (2019) |
Michelle Barker (born 1964) is a Canadian author, poet, editor, and educator. She writes for young adults, children, and adults, across historical fiction, fantasy, picture books, poetry, and non-fiction. She is a senior editor with the editing collective Darling Axe.[1]
Early life and education
Barker earned an MFA in Creative Writing from the University of British Columbia.[2][3]
Career
Literary work
Barker's young adult novel The House of One Thousand Eyes (2018, Annick Press) was named a Kirkus Best Book of 2018.[4] She followed with My Long List of Impossible Things (2020, Annick Press) and the picture book A Year of Borrowed Men (2015, Pajama Press), which was a finalist for the TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.[5] Her earlier works include The Beggar King (2013, Thistledown Press) and the poetry chapbook Old Growth, Clear-Cut: Poems of Haida Gwaii (2012, Leaf Press).[3]
Reception and awards
Barker won the Amy Mathers Teen Book Award in 2019 for The House of One Thousand Eyes.[6]
The House of One Thousand Eyes received starred reviews from Kirkus Reviews and School Library Journal.[7][8] It was also named to Kirkus Reviews' list of Best Young Adult Books of 2018.[9]
A Year of Borrowed Men drew praise from Quill & Quire for its portrayal of wartime life through a child's perspective,[10] and was a finalist for the 2016 TD Canadian Children's Literature Award.[11]
Other roles
Barker works as a senior editor with the Darling Axe and contributes poetry, short fiction, and non-fiction to literary journals internationally.[3]
Personal life
She lives in Vancouver, Canada, and participates in triathlons when not writing.[2]
Works
| Title | Year | Publisher | Genre |
|---|---|---|---|
| Old Growth, Clear-Cut: Poems of Haida Gwaii | 2012 | Leaf Press | Poetry / Chapbook |
| The Beggar King | 2013 | Thistledown Press | Fantasy |
| A Year of Borrowed Men | 2015 | Pajama Press | Picture book / Historical fiction |
| The House of One Thousand Eyes | 2018 | Annick Press | Young adult / Historical fiction |
| My Long List of Impossible Things | 2020 | Annick Press | Young adult / Historical fiction |
References
- ^ "Editor profile: Michelle Barker". Darling Axe. 21 April 2020. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ a b "About Michelle Barker". Michelle Barker. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ a b c "Michelle Barker — Writers' Union of Canada". Writers' Union of Canada. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ "The House of One Thousand Eyes – Kirkus Reviews". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ "A Year of Borrowed Men – Review". Quill & Quire. 16 November 2015. Retrieved 20 September 2025.
- ^ "Past Winners and Finalists – Amy Mathers Teen Book Award". Canadian Children's Book Centre. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "The House of One Thousand Eyes". Kirkus Reviews. 2018-05-27. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ Hixson, Tyler (2018-10-01). "The House of One Thousand Eyes". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "Best Young Adult Books of 2018". Kirkus Reviews. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "A Year of Borrowed Men". Quill & Quire. Retrieved 2025-09-21.
- ^ "Awards: Kelley Armstrong, Willow Dawson, Ken Oppel among CCBC finalists". Quill & Quire. 2016-09-08. Retrieved 2025-09-21.