Born amidst the rugged majesty of Colorado Springs on March 26, 1952, T(om) A. Barron found himself cradled by Colorado’s towering peaks, which instilled in him a profound reverence for nature’s wonders. As a child, his curiosity was fueled by books, and he eagerly penned his own musings and adventures. In the fifth grade, he even crafted a family magazine whimsically titled "The Idiot's Odyssey." After earning a bachelor’s degree from Princeton University, Barron embarked on an intellectual journey through Europe, studying at Oxford University as a Rhodes Scholar while exploring the continent's rich landscapes. During this time, he penned his debut novel, but faced a barrage of rejections from more than forty publishers. Disheartened, he shelved his dream of becoming a writer and returned to America to pursue a legal education at Harvard University. However, fate led him instead to the bustling avenues of New York City, where he sought his fortunes in the realm of venture capital.

The Writer's Reawakening

Despite setting aside fiction for a spell, Barron harbored an enduring dream of becoming a writer. In 1990, a cascade of life-altering events—losing a dear friend, the joys of marriage, and welcoming a child into the world—rekindled his passion for storytelling. During this pivotal time, he crossed paths with the illustrious Madeleine L'Engle, who took an interest in his nascent novel. So impressed was she by his work that she shared it with her agent, leading to its submission to Philomel, the children’s division of Putnam Publishing. Thus, in the autumn of 1990, Heartlight was born.

The Writer's Journey

The success of Heartlight emboldened Barron to chase his lifelong dream of writing full-time. In that same transformative year, he returned to Colorado, setting up his writing haven in Boulder. Since then, he has crafted eight young adult novels, two evocative nature books—To Walk in Wilderness: A Rocky Mountain Journal and Rocky Mountain National Park: A Hundred Year Perspective—and a charming picture book titled Where Is Grandpa? Anticipation builds for the release of Tree Girl, slated for publication in 2001.

The Acclaim

Barron’s literary creations have captured the hearts of critics and young readers alike. Both The Ancient One and The Merlin Effect have consistently graced lists of the best books chosen by young audiences and discerning adults. Notably, The Ancient One earned a spot on the International Reading Association's Young Adult Choices list and the Voice of Youth Advocates Best Books of 1992. Meanwhile, The Merlin Effect secured the 1997 Texas Lone Star Award, the 2000 Best of the Texas Lone Star Reading Lists, and the 1998 Utah Book Award, among other accolades. Barron's "Lost Years of Merlin" series continues to garner recognition from esteemed organizations such as the American Library Association, the New York Public Library, and the Children's Book Council.

The Heart of a Writer

Barron’s passion for writing stems from a boundless desire to explore realms unfettered by time or space, from the cosmic reaches of the universe to the depths of the ocean. To him, writing is not merely storytelling; it is a profound exploration of life’s deepest questions. His dedication to authenticity drives him to conduct thorough research, ensuring each fantastical setting feels vividly real to the reader. For The Ancient One, he delved into the history of Pacific Northwest tribes spanning five centuries and immersed himself in the whispers and whispers of a redwood forest, absorbing its every scent and sound to breathe life into his tale.