''The Barn Burner'' is a novel written by

Patricia Willis Patricia Willis is an American author of historical novels for middle-grade readers. She won the Western Writers of America Spur Award for her novel '' Danger Along the Ohio''. She lives in North Canton, Ohio North Canton is a city in central ...

. Its publishing date is for the hardcover edition April 17, 2000. The Paperback edition was published on May 1, 2002.

Synopsis

In 1933 while running from a bad situation at home and suspected of having set fire to a barn, 14-year-old Ross finds haven with a destitute but loving family which helps him make an important decision. After a family disagreement, Ross Cooper leaves home with only a knapsack and the clothes on his back. He hopes to find work, but job prospects in the 1930s are dim, especially for someone as young and inexperienced as Ross. His troubles worsen after he is spotted fleeing a burning barn in an Ohio town where a number of barns have gone up in flames. Though a kind but destitute family takes Ross in, he yearns to hit the road again, especially when another barn is set afire and he falls under suspicion. But stronger than his wish to leave is his hope to discover the true identity of the barn burner and clear his name. This moving and fast-paced story captures the spirit of determination and hope boys like Ross needed to survive during the

Great Depression The Great Depression (19291939) was an economic shock that impacted most countries across the world. It was a period of economic depression that became evident after a major fall in stock prices in the United States. The economic contagio ...

Awards

* Children's Crown Award for Lamplighter award runner up. * Indiana Young Hoosier Award Nominees 2002-2003 Intermediate (Grades 4-6).

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Barn Burner, The 2000 American novels American historical novels Fiction set in 1933 Novels set in the 1930s