I’m honored to announce the winners of the 2026 Barron Prize. I invite you to take a moment to read through this year’s list of marvelous, accomplished young people, to visit their project sites, and learn more about them!
T. A. BARRON’S BLOG
Category Search:
Inspiration
Looking Back on The Lost Years of Merlin on the 30th Anniversary
Thirty years ago, on September 9, 1996, a book called The Lost Years of Merlin was published.
How I Find Hope in Difficult Times
Hope can be a difficult thing to hold onto — especially when the world feels heavy. At times like these, I find myself returning to a question I’ve asked throughout my life: Where do we find hope?
Real Women Heroes Who Are Changing the World
All of Merlin’s courage and Kate’s tenacity couldn’t reach a girl who didn’t believe her own life held any power.
My Friends, The Trees
Some of my earliest memories are tied not to people or events, but to individual trees that stood like quiet sentinels throughout my childhood.
Is Magic Real?
Magic, for me, is the word I use to describe the indescribable. It’s my way of naming the mysterious and wondrous qualities we experience every day but can never fully explain.
Nature: The Original Classroom
All my life, nature has been my greatest teacher — wiser than any professor, gentler than any healer, and more patient than any mentor I’ve ever known.
Celebrating 25 Years of Young Heroes — Meet the 2025 Barron Prize Winners
One of the greatest privileges of my life has been to witness the incredible impact that young people can make in the world.
Physics, Magic, and the Power of Curiosity: The Origins of Kate Gordon
Before Merlin ever washed ashore on Fincayra, there was a brave, curious girl named Kate Gordon.
The Secret to Writing Characters That Feel Real
Over the years, I’ve written hundreds of characters: some brave, some flawed, some magical, and some achingly human.