Barbara Greenwood

Readings

I begin with a general talk about the stories behind my stories – how the various books came to be written, how I use interesting details from my research as seeds for starting stories. Then I takes apart one of her stories to demonstrate the way stories are "built". Depending on the age of the audience, talks can also centre around what it was like to be a child in pioneer times, to flee on the Underground Railroad, to trek to the Klondike or to be caught up in the Rebellion of 1837. This talk can also be shaped to become an introduction to creative writing.

Biography

Barbara Greenwood was born, grew up and has always lived in Toronto. Her interest in the history of her home town led to the writing of her first published novel, A Question of Loyalty, which is set during the Rebellion of 1837. This title is used in many Grade 7 and 8 classrooms.

2004 marked the tenth anniversary of another popular title, A Pioneer Story: The Daily Life of a Canadian Family in 1840, which has won the Ruth Schwartz Award, the Mr. Christie’s Book Award and the Children’s Literature Roundtables’ Information Book Award. Among her other titles, The Kids Book of Canada was shortlisted for the Silver Birch Award. The Last Safe House won the Roundtables’ Information Book Award, was shortlisted for several Readers’ Choice Awards across Canada and has appeared on many “Best of…” lists including the Smithsonian Magazine Best Books of the Year List. Gold Rush Fever was shortlisted for four Readers’ Choice Awards including Ontario’s Silver Birch Award. Her most recent book is Factory Girl: A Story of Child Labour in 1912.

As well as writing books, she writes a monthly book column for City Parent Magazine. Before becoming a fulltime writer, Barbara completed a B.A. at the University of Toronto, taught elementary school and raised four children. She lives in Don Mills, Ontario.

Available for appearances across Canada during the months of October, April or May.

OTHER PRESENTATIONS:
Keynote addresses tailored to the specific event but based on my experiences as a writer.

Professional development days for teachers: Workshops in how to get children writing that includes a foolproof method for teaching children how to plunge into the heart of a story. This also includes exercises for helping children to recognize vivid words that work well in stories.