by T. A. Barron | Jan 12, 2023 | Blog, For Young Heroes, On Reading
Lessons I Learned from Merlin I have spent many, many years immersed in the life and world of Merlin. It is a magical, beautiful place, but it is also a place that has taught me a myriad of lessons about life, love, and humanity within our own world. Merlin has been a...
by T. A. Barron | Dec 7, 2022 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
Heroes All Around Us As all of my readers can attest, young heroes play an important role in my stories – fiction and nonfiction alike. I am often asked why this is — what is my fascination with young heroes — and the answer is quite simple: young heroes play an...
by T. A. Barron | Nov 11, 2022 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Young Heroes
You Are the Author of Your Own Story Today I’m inviting you to see your life as a story! Episode 6 Excerpt by T. A. Barron | Magic & Mountains: The T. A. Barron Podcast https://tabarron.com/wp-content/uploads/Life-as-a-Story-Quotes.mp3 As we journey through life,...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 29, 2022 | Blog, For Educators, For Nature Lovers, For Young Heroes, On Nature & the Environment
Congratulations to 2022’s Barron Prize Winners Each year, the Barron Prize awards outstanding young people whose actions serve as an inspirational example of the power we all have to make a difference in the world. Over the past two decades, the Barron Prize has...
by T. A. Barron | Aug 25, 2022 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
Dream Chasers: 5 Things Done By People Who Achieve Their Dreams I’ve always loved a good story. Growing up in Colorado, I always dreamed of becoming a writer. To live in a mountain cabin, writing books. I dreamed up stories and poems, sometimes to avoid doing...
by T. A. Barron | Aug 17, 2022 | For Educators, For Young Heroes
Equality in Education: How to Empower Young People I have always been a firm believer in the idea that young people are capable of great things. Since 2000, when I launched the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, I have had the unique honor of seeing firsthand the...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 22, 2022 | Blog, For Nature Lovers, For Young Heroes, On Nature & the Environment
A Magical World Nature and the environment are hugely important as inspiration to me. Not just in my writing, but also within my own personal life. While doing book events in Marin County, California (home of the wondrous Muir Woods), my host commented on the...
by T. A. Barron | Mar 15, 2022 | Blog, For Young Heroes, On Reading, Quests
The Importance of Literacy (Plus a New Quest for Young Heroes!) I may be a little biased, but I believe that storytelling is one of the single most consequential talents we humans have — something unique that sets us apart from all the other creatures of this world,...
by T. A. Barron | Feb 18, 2022 | Blog, For Young Heroes
The Art of Kindness There is magic in kindness. Not rabbit-out-of-a-hat magic, but the true life-changing stuff of miracles. Genuine, heartfelt kindness creates a type of magic that is never-ending — a kind that multiplies with every person it touches. I’ve come to...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 20, 2022 | Blog, For Young Heroes, Free Downloads, Quests
The Disappearance of Dragons (Plus a New Quest) Just as I believe in the magic of this world, I also believe in creatures that we may never have the chance to meet. Take dragons for instance. A question that comes up frequently in my letters is whether I would like to...
by T. A. Barron | Dec 29, 2021 | Blog, For Young Heroes
Give Back Generously This Holiday Season Generosity, one of Merlin’s seven magical words, is a word that holds magic in itself. You see, generosity is not simply about giving a tangible gift to another person. Instead, it’s the magic of giving freely of...
by T. A. Barron | Dec 9, 2021 | Blog, For Young Heroes, Free Downloads, Quests
A New Quest for Young Heroes: Solving World Hunger In a time usually known as a time of abundance, we often forget about the problems that so many of our fellow humans face: food insecurity. Imagine having to make a choice between food or life-saving medicine,...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 1, 2021 | Blog, For Young Heroes, Free Downloads, Quests
Introducing Quests for Young Heroes Nature is my great friend, wise teacher, and true healer, as well as my enduring inspiration. That is why I am thrilled to announce a brand new series on the website: Quests. It is my hope that by embarking upon these quests, young...
by T. A. Barron | Oct 1, 2021 | Blog, For Young Heroes
Tapping Into the Heroic Potential of Every Child I’m often asked why I chose to write about the early years of the great wizard, Merlin. What really made me fall in love with stories of young Merlin was the realization that Merlin, the original wizard and the...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 20, 2021 | Blog, For Young Heroes, News
Congratulations to the 2021 Barron Prize Winners! Each year, the Barron Prize awards outstanding young people whose personal stories and service work act as inspiring examples of the power we all have to make the world better. During a most difficult time in our...
by T. A. Barron | May 25, 2021 | Blog, Encouraging Writers, For Young Heroes
One Step Closer to Your Dream “A life — whether seamstress or poet, farmer or king — is measured not by its length, but by the worth of its deeds, and the power of its dreams.” — MERLIN: The Mirror of Fate To be a writer has always been my dream. My first creations,...
by T. A. Barron | Apr 27, 2021 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes, On Nature & the Environment
Volunteering with Children: 10 Ways to Encourage Kids to Give Back The ability of young people to help change the world for the better has been a source of joy and hope for me for many years. If you’ve ever been a reader of my blog or a follower of my work, you know...
by T. A. Barron | Mar 19, 2021 | Blog, For Nature Lovers, For Young Heroes, On Nature & the Environment
How a Butterfly Can Change the World The Butterfly Effect is one of my favorite concepts. In fact, I’ve even written about the power of a butterfly’s wings in my novel, Heartlight. If you’re unfamiliar with the Butterfly Effect, it is a theory of causality...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 14, 2021 | Blog, Contests, For Nature Lovers, For Young Heroes, News, On Nature & the Environment
Giving Hope and Giving Back It takes a community to make a difference. In the spirit of Merlin’s magical word, Generosity, last month I hosted the Giving Hope for the Holidays charity contest, where I encouraged my readers to share charities and organizations...
by T. A. Barron | Dec 18, 2020 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
Making a Difference in the World I believe passionately in the power that young people have to change the narrative of the future, and the most powerful step adults can make towards a better tomorrow is to foster that hope and drive in our young people. Making sure...
by T. A. Barron | Dec 8, 2020 | Blog, Contests, For Nature Lovers, For Young Heroes, On Nature & the Environment
Giving Hope for the Holidays Looking for Something? Search for: Get News! * indicates required Email Address * First Name * Last Name * CategoriesCategories Select Category Adventures of Kate (1) Adventures of Kate Excerpts (3)...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 22, 2020 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes, Personal Writing
How Do You Spread Kindness? I believe that kindness is an altogether different entity from being nice. The sad truth is that you can be nice out of politeness while still thinking mean thoughts. However, to truly be kind, you must care about your fellow man (or...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 14, 2020 | Blog, For Educators, For Nature Lovers, For Young Heroes, On Nature & the Environment
Congratulations to 2020’s Barron Prize Winners! Each year, the Barron Prize awards outstanding young people whose personal stories and service work act as an inspiration example of the power we all have to make the world better. 2020 marks the 20th anniversary...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 9, 2020 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes, On Nature & the Environment
What is Your Labor of Love? 8 Simple Ideas To Make the World Better What does it mean to be kind? Is it simply about minding your manners and going through the motions? About doing what’s expected of us, and nothing else? Is kindness merely the absence of...
by T. A. Barron | Jul 27, 2020 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
Celebrating Everyday Heroes The heroic people around us may not have super powers — at least, not the kind that allows them to read minds or leap tall buildings — but the qualities they possess and the powers they have to do good are very real. Heroes are people who...
by T. A. Barron | Jul 6, 2020 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes, Sweepstakes
Heroes Every Day Looking for Something? Search for: CategoriesCategories Select Category Adventures of Kate (1) Adventures of Kate Excerpts (3) Articles (9) Blog (147) Book Excerpt (22) Books (48)...
by T. A. Barron | Jun 23, 2020 | Blog, Books, For Young Heroes, Personal Writing
Merlin’s Guide to Living Your Best Life Back in 2018 I wrote a blog post which began, “These are dark times. In our country and our world, we’re surrounded by divisiveness, greed, mean-spiritedness, hatred, cynicism, fear, and rage. So much so, the darkness sometimes...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 16, 2019 | Blog, For Young Heroes
Congratulations to 2019’s Barron Prize Winners! Each year, The Barron Prize celebrates outstanding young leaders ages 8 to 18 who have made a significant positive difference to people and the environment. These inspiring, public-spirited young people from across North...
by T. A. Barron | Jul 31, 2019 | Blog, For Young Heroes
Merlin’s Seven Magical Words: Hope Hope requires courage. Darkness, despair, anger, destruction—the images of these things feature daily in our media. No matter where we look, we’re met with images that leave us questioning. We’re left feeling hopeless, without...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 17, 2018 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes, News
Congratulations to the 2018 Barron Prize Winners Since 2001, The Barron Prize has been awarded to more than 100 young people whose projects make a positive difference in the world. This national award is meant to highlight the idea that every single one of us —...
by T. A. Barron | Jul 30, 2018 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes, Free Downloads
Celebrating Summer Sparks! When you think “summer” you likely think of long lazy days… maybe it puts you in mind of holiday beaches, or fun family camping, or perhaps it simply signals it’s time to shed your winter layers and savor the warm...
by T. A. Barron | Feb 2, 2018 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
Let’s Double Down on Goodness These are dark times. In our country and our world, we’re surrounded by divisiveness, greed, mean-spiritedness, hatred, cynicism, fear, and rage. So much so, the darkness sometimes threatens to cover us all in shadows. That’s why we...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 25, 2017 | Blog, For Young Heroes, News
Outstanding Young Leaders — Introducing the 2017 Barron Prize Winners Real heroes are those who overcome obstacles to make real, positive changes in the world. Their stories help to inspire us with evidence of the power of people just like ourselves who have worked to...
by T. A. Barron | Jun 22, 2017 | Blog, For Young Heroes, On Nature & the Environment
Live Your Life as a Story These remarks were given as part of my address to the graduating class of the University of California Santa Barbara in June 2017. If you folks like a good story, as I do – then try this: Think of your life as a story. A Story You Create...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 28, 2016 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes, News
Inspiring Change Makers Seasons are a revolving gift—continually different from what has gone before and what will come after. They are the ultimate change makers, with varied weather, foods, holidays, flora, fauna, and activities for us all. Plus a special seasonal...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 19, 2016 | Blog, For Young Heroes
Outstanding Young Leaders: Announcing the Winners of the 2016 Barron Prize We need heroes today more than ever — not celebrities, but real heroes. And while we tend to hear a lot about entertainers, athletes, and media moguls in the headlines, the world often seems to...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 7, 2016 | Blog, For Young Heroes
Former Barron Prize Winners Helping the Next Generation One of the most exciting things about the Barron Prize is seeing young people whose projects have been honored continue to make a positive impact on our world. Some of our former winners have even chosen to help...
by T. A. Barron | Jun 22, 2016 | Blog, For Young Heroes
Graduates: Follow Your Dreams, Make a Difference Practical Advice for Grads I’ve always loved a good story. As a kid, I dreamed up stories and poems, sometimes to avoid doing homework, sometimes just for the fun of messing around with words. My first real story,...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 23, 2015 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
What Does it Mean to be a Hero? Prior to this week’s announcement of the 2015 winners of the Barron Prize, I asked my Facebook fans to share with me their ideas around heroes and heroism. Many of today’s popular movies and television shows focus on...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 8, 2015 | Blog, For Young Heroes
The Power of the Barron Prize Being recognized by the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes comes with a number of perks – a cash award, of course, to support the winner’s service work or higher education, as well as the chance to have the winners’...
by T. A. Barron | Feb 6, 2015 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
How Do I Apply for the Barron Prize? Every day, kids all over the country participate and take the lead in extraordinary service activities to benefit other people or the planet we share. Are you someone between 8-18 who has spearheaded a service effort in your area?...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 15, 2014 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
Inspiring Youth To Make A Difference:Announcing The 2014 Barron Prize Winners Every person, no matter how young, can contribute to making the world a better place. The mass media gives our kids all sorts of negative, demeaning messages — telling them their...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 11, 2014 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
Encouraging Kids to Become Heroes: Ideas for Parents and Teachers One of the things that you may already know about me is that I believe that all kids can be heroes; we can do a lot as adults to foster that ethic in young people. For my readers who are parents, I’d...
by T. A. Barron | Jan 27, 2014 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes
We Need Heroes at Any Age We all need heroes. I truly believe this. That’s why I’ve always placed a young hero, a boy or a girl, at the heart of each of my books. Readers can relate to these characters because often, they’re solving similar mysteries in their...
by T. A. Barron | Dec 17, 2013 | Blog, Books, For Educators, For Young Heroes, Videos
More of Merlin’s Most Magical Words: Courage and Knowledge Last week I shared with you the video Merlin’s Guide to a Meaningful Life: The Seven Most Magical Words — and promised that I’d follow up with two of those words. Well, here are the next two videos in...
by T. A. Barron | Sep 27, 2013 | Blog, For Educators, For Young Heroes, News
Announcing Barron Prize Winners for 2013 Nothing is more uplifting than stories about heroic people who have truly made a difference to the world. So I’m thrilled to announce this year’s winners of the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes! The prize honors...
