Barbara Smucker facts for kids
Barbara Claassen Smucker (born September 1, 1915 – died July 29, 2003) was a talented American writer. She mostly wrote exciting stories for children and young adults. She lived in Canada for many years, from 1969 to 1993.
Barbara Smucker wrote twelve books. Two of her most famous books are Underground to Canada and Days of Terror. Underground to Canada is still read and studied in many Canadian schools today. Days of Terror won a special award called the Canada Council Children's Literature Prize. In 1988, she also received the Vicky Metcalf Award. This award honors writers who have created a great collection of books for young people.
About Barbara Smucker
Barbara Claassen was born in Newton, Kansas, in the United States. She went to Bethel College for a year. Then, she studied at Kansas State University. In 1936, she earned a degree in journalism. This means she learned how to write for newspapers and magazines.
After college, Barbara taught high school for a year. She then worked as a journalist for a newspaper called The Evening Kansan-Republican. In 1939, she married Donovan Smucker. He was a Mennonite pastor and a professor. He studied Christian ethics.
Life in Canada
In 1969, Barbara and Donovan moved to Canada. Donovan taught at Conrad Grebel College in Ontario. Barbara worked as a librarian. First, she was a children's librarian at Kitchener Public Library. Later, she became the head librarian at Renison College from 1977 to 1982.
Most of Barbara's books were published while she lived in Canada. This was a very creative time for her. The couple returned to the United States in 1993. They settled in Bluffton, Ohio. Donovan passed away in 2001. Barbara died two years later, at the age of 87. She left behind two sons and a daughter.
Her Books
Barbara Smucker wrote many popular books for young readers. Her stories often explored important historical events and themes.
- 1955: Henry's Red Sea
- 1957: Cherokee Run
- 1966: Wigwam in the City (also known as Susan)
- 1977: Underground to Canada (also known as Runaway to Freedom: A Story of the Underground Railway)
- 1979: Days of Terror
- 1983: Amish Adventure
- 1985: White Mist
- 1987: Jacob's Little Giant
- 1990: Incredible Jumbo
- 1996: Selina and the Bear Paw Quilt
- 1999: Selina and the Shoo-fly Pie
- 1999: Garth and the Mermaid
