Picture a California-born storyteller who spun tales of mischievous best friends and wartime book clubs—meet Annie Barrows! Born in 1962, this author has charmed readers worldwide with her witty children’s series Ivy and Bean and the heartfelt historical novel The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. From her library-obsessed childhood to her knack for crafting stories that bridge generations, Barrows’s work is a delightful blend of humor, heart, and history.
The Making of Annie Barrows
Annie Barrows was born in San Diego, California, but her family whisked her to San Anselmo in the San Francisco Bay Area when she was just three weeks old. A bookworm from the start, she practically lived at the local library, landing a job shelving books at age 12. With a degree in Medieval History from UC Berkeley and an MFA in Creative Writing from Mills College, Barrows dove into publishing, working as an editor at Chronicle Books. There, she helped bring the groundbreaking Griffin & Sabine to life before stepping into authorship herself.
Annie Barrows’s Unforgettable Stories
Barrows’s storytelling shines in her children’s series Ivy and Bean, launched in 2006. This ALA Notable Book follows the unlikely friendship of bold Bean and imaginative Ivy, capturing the chaos and joy of childhood. With 12 books, translated into 14 languages, the series has hit New York Times bestseller lists and sparked film adaptations. Her mid-grade novels, like The Magic Half and its sequel Magic in the Mix, blend time-travel adventures with family dynamics, while the Iggy series, starting with The Best of Iggy, celebrates a mischievous boy’s antics.
For adults, Barrows co-authored The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society with her aunt, Mary Ann Shaffer. This 2008 epistolary novel, set in post-WWII Guernsey, became a global sensation, translated into 38 languages and adapted into a 2018 Netflix film. Her solo novel, The Truth According to Us (2015), a New York Times bestseller, weaves a Depression-era family saga with Southern charm. Barrows’s style—warm, witty, and rich with character—makes her stories timeless.
Why Annie Barrows Matters
Annie Barrows’s impact lies in her ability to craft stories that resonate across ages. Her children’s books, like Ivy and Bean, inspire young readers to embrace friendship and individuality, while her adult novels explore resilience and community. With nominations for awards like the Kentucky Bluegrass and Cybils, and millions of books sold, Barrows has left a lasting mark on young-adult and historical fiction. Her global reach, through translations and adaptations, cements her as a storyteller who connects cultures.
- Born: 1962, San Diego, California
- Key Works: Ivy and Bean, The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, The Truth According to Us
- Awards: Nominated for Kentucky Bluegrass, Cybils, and more
Snag Ivy and Bean or The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society and dive into Annie Barrows’s heartwarming world of friendship and history!