Barbara Wersba: From the Stage to the Page

Early Beginnings

Barbara Wersba's journey as a writer began after her initial foray into the dazzling world of theater. Born on August 19, 1932, in Chicago to Robert and Lucy Jo Wersba, Barbara navigated the solitude of being an only child through the vibrant worlds she crafted in her stories, dreaming of a life under the theater's spotlight. Her family settled in San Mateo, California, where a young Barbara, at merely eleven, joined a local community theater. Initially tasked with humble backstage duties like fetching coffee and running errands, she soon found herself stepping onto the stage, making her acting debut. The family dynamics shifted with her parents' divorce, prompting a move to New York with her mother. There, Barbara immersed herself in the magic of Broadway, frequenting the city's rich tapestry of museums, bookstores, and artistic venues. As a teenager, she honed her craft at the Neighborhood Playhouse and danced with the renowned Martha Graham's company.

A Dual Passion: Acting and Writing

Graduating with a degree in drama from Bard College, Wersba returned to New York City, diving into the bustling life of an aspiring actress. She shared a Greenwich Village apartment with fellow entertainers, tirelessly auditioning and meeting with casting agents, all while juggling various jobs to make ends meet, including waitressing and typing. Although she enjoyed some success in summer stock and touring companies, stage fright plagued her performances. A pivotal moment arrived when she founded an acting troupe with friends, embarking on a production titled When I Was a Child, which adapted childhood tales for the stage. This venture rekindled her passion for writing, a pursuit she had never deemed worthy of publication. Despite plans for a Broadway run, the tour was tumultuous, ending with Wersba battling hepatitis. Recuperating at a friend’s home on Martha’s Vineyard, she received encouragement to pen a story. What followed was a stroke of "beginner's luck" — her debut story, The Boy Who Loved the Sea, found its way to publication in 1961.

Emerging Voice in Literature

In the ensuing years, Wersba wrote a series of whimsical, enchanting books for children. As she was crafting a historical tale, the voice of a contemporary teenage boy seized her imagination. She paused her historical work to capture this narrative, telling the story of fourteen-year-old Albert Scully and his unique bond with an eccentric elderly woman in The Dream Watcher. This novel marked a turning point in her career, steering her toward young adult fiction centered on introspective loners seeking understanding and affection amidst an indifferent world. Although she occasionally wrote for younger audiences, her primary focus shifted to novels exploring themes of self-discovery and sensitivity.

Life Beyond Writing

A self-professed loner, Wersba finds solace in nature and caring for stray animals. Despite this solitary inclination, she spent seven years co-managing a country store, adapted The Dream Watcher for the stage with early performances starring her idol Eva LeGallienne, and founded The Women's Writing Workshop. Her young adult novels have consistently garnered positive critiques, buoyed by a long-standing professional partnership with the esteemed writer and editor Charlotte Zolotow. Among her notable works is Tunes for a Small Harmonica, which earned a nomination for the National Book Award in 1977, along with several trilogies. The first trilogy, beginning with Fat: A Love Story followed by Beautiful Losers and Love Is the Crooked Thing, chronicles the experiences of the spirited Rita Formica. Another trilogy introduces Heidi Rosenbloom, a teenage dog walker from New York City, in Just Be Gorgeous, and continues her journey in Wonderful Me and The Farewell Kid.