mail	4569 Harder Road Yarrow, BC V2R5B9
ph	604-823-2401
e	barbaranickel@shaw.ca

Biography

Barbara Nickel Biography

Barbara Nickel’s most recent novel for children, Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach, was a finalist for the Governor General’s Literary Award, winner of the 2006 Sheila A. Egoff Children’s Literature Prize (B.C. Book Prizes), and was chosen as a Canadian Library Association Honour Book of the Year. It was shortlisted for Young Readers’ Choice Awards in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Alberta, and the B.C. Chocolate Lily Award. Her other books for children include The Secret Wish of Nannerl Mozart (shortlisted for the Geoffrey Bilson, Mr. Christie, and Red Cedar Book Awards), and From the Top of a Grain Elevator, a poetry collection. Barbara is also an award-winning author of poetry for adults; her collection of poetry, The Gladys Elegies, won the Pat Lowther Award for the best book of poetry by a woman in Canada. Her second collection, Domain, was released in April, 2007. She lives in Yarrow, B.C., with her husband and two children.

Book types: juvenile fiction, YA fiction, poetry

Guest speaker/presentation information

NOVEL PRESENTATIONS

Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach, for ages 8 to 12. This novel has both a contemporary and a historical setting, and the interactive presentation involves setting the historical (1720) and contemporary contexts with visual and musical examples. Readings from both settings in the novel are integrated with discussion and questions, and includes playing on the violin a part of Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins. A Question & Answer period follows on the writing and editing process, details of the book itself, marketing and book production process, and other topics that arise. Grade Level Preferred: 4 – 7 Maximum Audience Size Preferred: 30 – 65

Another historical/musical presentation featuring The Secret Wish of Nannerl Mozart is also available.

THE POET'S TOOL BOX

What tools do poets use to practice their craft? Students in this hands-on workshop will listen to poetry and discuss it, then try exercises designed to give them the nuts and bolts – from image and metaphor to rhythm, sound, and where to break the lines in between – needed to write good poetry. An award-winning poet for adults and children, Barbara has given workshops and residencies in classrooms from Newfoundland to the Yukon, drawing from her poetry book for children, From the Top of a Grain Elevator, and exercises from the accompanying Teacher’s Guide. Grade Level Preferred: 4 – 8 Maximum Audience Size Preferred: 30

Barbara has taught in the Creative Writing Program at the University of British Columbia, and draws on this experience to adapt The Poet's Tool Box for high school/college/university/adult.

Presentation geographic range: Vancouver, Coast, Lower Mainland

Presentation audience age groups: grades 4-6, grades 7-8, high school, college/university/adult

Published work

NOVELS

Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach (Penguin Canada, 2005)

The Secret Wish of Nannerl Mozart (Sumach Press, 2006)

POETRY

From the Top of a Grain Elevator (includes Teacher's Guide) (Dundurn Group, 1999)

ADULT POETRY

The Gladys Elegies (Coteau, 1997)

Domain (Anansi, 2007)

Awards & recognition

Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach:

Governor General's Literary Award Nominee (2005)
B.C. Book Prizes Sheila A. Egoff Children's Literature Prize Winner (2006)
Canadian Library Association Honour Book of the Year (2006)
B.C. Chocolate Lily Award Nominee (2006)
Snow Willow Award Nominee (2006)
Rocky Mountain Book Award Nominee (2006)
Manitoba Young Readers Choice Award Nominee (2006)
Ontario Library Association Best Bets (2005)

The Secret Wish of Nannerl Mozart:

Geoffrey Bilson Award for Historical Fiction Nominee(1997)
Mr. Christie Book Award Nominee (1997)
Red Cedar Award Nominee (1998)

Canadian Children's Book Centre Our Choice recognition for The Secret Wish of Nannerl Mozart, From the Top of a Grain Elevator, and Hannah Waters and the Daughter of Johann Sebastian Bach