About
M. P. Barker draws on her experience as an archivist and living-history interpreter to write historical novels about seldom-examined corners of the past. She got a firsthand taste (sometimes literally!) of 19th-century New England rural life as a costumed historical interpreter at Old Sturbridge Village, a living history museum in Massachusetts. There she milked cows, mucked out barns, and found inspiration for her historical novels, "A Difficult Boy" and "Mending Horses." Her books have been featured on numerous recommended reading lists and have received honors from literary, educational, and historical organizations, including PEN New England, the International Reading Association, and the Massachusetts Center for the Book.
Featured Work
Mending Horses
Mending Horses is a historical novel set in 19th-century New England about three misfits--a peddler, a young runaway, and an Irish horse whisperer--who join a traveling circus and mend each other's broken lives as they heal the circus's mistreated ponies.
Other Works
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140 Years of Providential Caring: The Sisters of Providence of Holyoke, MA
2012
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A Difficult Boy
2008
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Images of America: Chicopee
1998
Awards and Recognition
- Massachusetts Center for the Book “Must-Read Books” list, 2015
- Housatonic Book Awards Finalist, 2015
- Kirkus Prize nominee, 2014
- International Reading Association Notable Boook for a Global Society, 2008
- William Allen White Award Master List, 2010-2011
- William Faulkner-William Wisdom Creative Writing Competition Semifinalist for Novel-in-Progress, 2011
- Virginia Library Association Jefferson Cup Award Committee recommended reading list , 2009
- Kansas State Reading Circle recommended reading list, 2009
- NLA/NEMA/MPLA [Nebraska Library Association/Nebraska Educational Media Association/Mountain Plains Library Association] Conference Best Teen Books List, 2014
- VOYA "Top Shelf" Reading List, 2014
- ALAN Review recommended summer reading list for young adults, 2008
- Brigham Young University Twelve Best Young Adult Novels list, 2007-2008
- Booklist Top 10 Historical Fiction for Youth, 2015
Press and Media Mentions
- 2019 “Storrowton Village keeps history fresh in Aunt Helen’s Garden”: Article in The Republican (Springfield, Mass.) about M. P. Barker’s work in Storrowton Village Museum’s historical gardens
- 2017 Interview on Pioneer Valley Radio
- 2017 Online interview at Write Angles Conference blog
- 2015 Online interview at author Linda Crotta Brennan’s “Lupine Seeds” blog
- 2014 Online interview at author Sheila Boneham’s “Writers & Other Animals” blog
- 2014 “East Longmeadow resident currently writing third novel”: Article about M.P. Barker and Mending Horses in The Reminder (East Longmeadow, Mass.)
- 2014 Guest blog on writing and riding at author Sheila Boneham’s “Writers & Other Animals” blog
- 2014 “Novelist shares new work with historical society”: Article about M.P. Barker and Mending Horses in The Republican (Springfield, Mass.)
- 2014 “The writing life”: Article about M.P. Barker in PRIME magazine
- 2014 “East Longmeadow author M. P. Barker releases ‘Mending Horses’”: Article about Mending Horses on Masslive.com
- 2014 Article about M.P. Barker in Springfield Republican
- 2014 Booklist review of "Mending Horses"
- 2014 Kirkus review of "Mending Horses"
- 2014 Radio interview with M.P. Barker on The Writer's Voice
- 2010 Online interview at “Damsels in Regress” blog
- 2010 Online interview at author Kathleen Ernst’s “Sites and Stories” blog
- 2008 Online interview at author Susan VanHecke’s “Adventures in Authorhood” website
- 2008 Online interview at author Jessica Burkhart’s “Author. Sparkles. Books.” blog
- 2008 Guest blog on indentured servitude in the 19th century at “NineteenTeen” blog
- 2008 Online interview at “NineteenTeen” blog
- 2008 Profile of M.P. Barker in Elms College Magazine, p. 49 (Chicopee, Mass.)
- 2008 Article about M.P. Barker and "A Difficult Boy" in the Springfield Republican
- 2008 Article about M.P. Barker and "A Difficult Boy" in Worcester Telegram & Gazette
