Barbara O'Connor

  • 15

    Catalog books

  • 12

    Works

  • 1994 to 2026

    Strongest span

Who This Author Is

Barbara O’Connor writes character-driven stories that balance humor and heart, from middle-grade contemporary fiction to biographical sketches. Her books—Beethoven in Paradise, How to Steal a Dog, Taking Care of Moses, and a Katherine Dunham biography—focus on children navigating loss, loyalty, and moral choices.

O’Connor’s work centers on resilient young protagonists and quiet moments of growth. She grounds emotional leaps in everyday detail—pets, neighborhood bonds, guardianship dilemmas—inviting readers to witness small, decisive acts that reshape family and community life. Her recent title, WISH, continues that intimate, hopeful tone.

Best Place To Start

How to Steal a Dog

Farrar Straus & Giroux • 2007 • quick commitment

It stands out because it asks for less time than many of the longer volumes on this page.

Author At A Glance

Best known for: Heartfelt middle-grade stories • Compassionate, kid-centered protagonists • Realistic family and community challenges

Genres and themes: Middle-grade fiction • Contemporary realism • Family, empathy, resilience

Who this author is best for: Good for readers who like character-driven, emotionally grounded stories about kids navigating tricky family and moral situations.

Start with How to Steal a Dog for a clear example of O'Connor's voice, then explore her quieter family stories and picture-book–length reads.

Top Books To Start With

  1. How to Steal a Dog

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 2007 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2007 • 170 pages.

  2. Taking Care of Moses

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 2004 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2004 • 134 pages.

  3. Beethoven in Paradise ("Frances Foster Books)

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 1997 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 1997 • 153 pages.

  4. Fame and Glory in Freedom, Georgia

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 2008 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2008 • 112 pages.

  5. Katherine Dunham: Pioneer of Black Dance (Creative Minds Biographies)

    Carolrhoda Books • 1999 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 1999 • 104 pages.

  6. WISH

    Square Fish • 2026 • commitment varies by edition

    It helps anchor a specific period of this author’s publishing run instead of blending into the undated shelf clutter.

  7. Greetings from Nowhere

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 2008 • standard commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2008 • 208 pages.

  8. Moonpie and Ivy

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 2001 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2001 • 160 pages.

  9. Me and Rupert Goody

    Farrar Straus & Giroux • 2003 • quick commitment

    UPB note: one of the most common used-copy publishers for this author • year signal: 2003 • 106 pages.

  10. Teaching Guide (Citizenship)

    Lerner Classroom • 2003 • quick commitment

    UPB note: year signal: 2003 • 24 pages.

How The Picks Compare

  • Taking Care of Moses is the easier short commitment, while How to Steal a Dog asks for more reading time up front.
  • Taking Care of Moses gives you an earlier look at this author’s shelf, while How to Steal a Dog leans later in the catalog.

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