Barbara writes novels for children: Fir for Luck (2016), Punch (2017), Wilderness Wars (2018), Black Water (2019), The Siege of Caerlaverock (2020), The Chessmen Thief (2021), The Reluctant Rebel (2022), Rivet Boy (2023) and The Boy, the Witch and the Queen of Scots (2024). In addition, she has written two non-fiction books for adults called Scottish by Inclination (2021) and Made from Girders (2023). Alongside writing and visiting schools as an author or storyteller, she also works as a drama teacher in the beautiful Highlands of Scotland.
First and foremost, her writing is aimed at children, but she also enjoys dabbling in short stories and drama. She enjoys writing reviews of books, theatre, music and spoken word events. In addition, she runs a group for those interested in writing for children, and is a founding member of KILTS (Kids’ Literature Scotland).
She loves books (obviously), nature’s wild places, history, baking, folk music (she fiddles badly in her church band), old buildings, mosaics, Celtic Christianity, and thick woolly jumpers…
Website: www.barbarahenderson.co.uk
Barbara’s Books
The Boy, the Witch & the Queen of Scots
When 12-year-old trainee falconer Alexander Buchan is sent to Edinburgh to the court of the newly arrived Mary, Queen of Scots, he finds himself lured into a world of intrigue, terror and treachery
Rivet Boy
When 12-year-old John Nicol gets a job at the Forth Bridge construction site, he knows it’s dangerous. But when he is sent to work in Cain Murdoch’s Rivet Gang, he must find the courage to climb, to face his fears, and to stand up to his evil boss.
The Reluctant Rebel
Following the death of his father, 13-year-old Archie MacDonald has lost faith in the Jacobite Cause. When Prince Charles Edward Stuart looks to the people of Borrodale for help, will the young stable boy support the rebellion that has cost him so dearly?
The Chessmen Thief
12-year-old Kylan is a Viking slave; when he gets the chance to return to the Hebrides, the Lewis Chessmen he helped carve become his only hope of escape and survival.
The Siege of Caerlaverock
Ada’s castle home is under attack. Rocks and flaming arrows rain from the sky as Ada has a dangerous choice to make. Who will survive the siege of Caerlaverock?
Black Water
Sink or swim to survive. Solway’s black water…
Down by the coast, black water swirls and hides its secrets.
Time Tunnellers 