I’m thrilled to have this opportunity to ask Bobbi Miller questions and share her wisdom with you. Be sure to read through to the end of the post for a chance to win a copy of The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince!
Eleven-year-old Jack London holds her own among rascals, ruffians, and thieves in this rollicking adventure story set in 1870s San Francisco. –Charlesbridge Moves
First, my quick review.
The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince is an action-packed adventure focusing on family and turning wrongs into rights. Jack is a young girl who’s tough as nails, but with a heart of gold. She’ll do anything to keep her found family safe and together. I especially enjoyed the developing friendship between her and William. He’s a young nob from a whole different world than Jack, one of wealth and longstanding importance.
With a nail-biting rising tension climax, this story truly paints a picture of the hard life of so many orphaned children of 1800s America. A cast of characters is included before the first chapter, along with a fun poster inside the jacket of this beautifully crafted book. The historic information in the author’s note, about these children, as well as the Barbary Coast of San Francisco, is fascinating. This makes a great start to a series, and I hope there’ll be a sequel soon. If you love a fast pace, an adorable stray dog, and endearing characters, be sure to check out this book!
Marcia Strykowski: Hi Bobbi! Welcome to Writers’ Rumpus. In your opinion, what makes a good story overall?
Bobbi Miller: One of my favorite books is Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, and my favorite character in the book was Jack Dawkins, otherwise known as the Artful Dodger. The snub-nosed, flat-browed, common faced pickpocket and leader of the gang of child criminals. He was not without heart, however. He is the classic trickster, and tricksters are my favorite character types. Ultimately, he became the framework for my character in Barbary Chronicles, Jack London.
It is the nature of reading that every story we’ve read stays with us, and its characters become a part of our lives. We are the product of all the stories read and lived. Even as we become characters in each other’s story. These stories settle within us, blend with our experiences – for why else could we become so attached to these characters, unless we see them as friends– and work their magic on us. They engage, and encourage, and guide. That’s what makes a good story.
“It is the nature of reading that every story we’ve read stays with us, and its characters become a part of our lives.” –Bobbi Miller
MS: What a great response—love it! What inspires you to write such wonderful books that take place in various locations during long ago America?
BM: History inspires me, especially American history. We have so many stories in our own backyard! Without getting too weedy, the politics of democracy is a human endeavor. Humans by their very nature are difficult, complicated, short-sighted, and at times, tragic. Sometimes, however, they burst apart with Big Moments of indomitable brilliance. It is a function of simple physics and human nature that every action must contend with the forces of reaction. The issue of slavery led to secession, which led to Lincoln, and emancipation, and Civil War. Which led to Reconstruction, which led to the Black Codes, and the Fourteenth Amendment. Which led to Jim Crow laws, which led to the Niagara movement, and so on and on. As historian Jon Meacham offered, for all our darker impulses, for all our shortcomings, for all the dreams denied and deferred, for all of its imperfections, the Great Experiment is worth the fight.
Historical fiction reminds us that history is people, too. In the best of historical fiction, as with any story, a child becomes a hero who gains power over her situation, a theme that contemporary readers appreciate.
I have a background in folklore. I write historical American fantasy, a blend of the tall tale tradition that captures so much of the American identity, and a unique form of fantasy. Tall tales were the means by which people dealt with their insecurities when faced with a new life on a new strange and alien land. These tall tale characters were larger than life for a reason: they could by sheer size and force of will take on the overwhelming challenges of life, and win. Even their language was as wild and unabashed as the circumstance and landscape that created these characters.
MS: You obviously do a lot of deep studying and research of history, language, and folklore for each of your action-filled books. Can you share briefly how you first approach a subject?
BM: For Barbary Chronicles, I began by researching the history of San Francisco. In the old days, I would often visit the landscape to get a feel for the place and people. For example, when I wrote The Girls of Gettysburg (Holiday House, 2014), I travelled to Gettysburg, PA four times and walked the battlefield. For many reasons, I am unable to do that now. But the internet has given me, in many ways, just as much access. I love the process of research. I had access to San Franscisco museums’ online collections, street and bay webcams, art shows, and library collections. Newspapers often keep an online archive of historical news reports for firsthand accounts. And of course, books galore. I include much of my research in the author’s note in the book.
Fun Fact: During my research, I came upon an 1870s map of the Barbary Coast and used this as the visual to help me ‘visualize’ the setting. The designer at Charlesbridge Moves, Diana Earley, and her team used the map as a backdrop for the book’s poster. The artist, Allysa Adams, brought my characters to life! You can download the poster as well as the reader’s guide and enjoy some fun slime-making, cooking and writing activities here.
Once I have a handle on the research, I start mapping out events and outlining plot movements. The research continues through the process. I try to stay true to the times and people of my story. But, in the end, I am just a storyteller, not a historian.
An atmospheric tale of intrigue and corruption grounded by the love of chosen family. –Kirkus Reviews
MS: Do you have any special tricks for bringing out the unique voices (and fun names) of your characters? Perhaps they are prompted by people you’ve met? Am I completely off base to have a visual of you acting out their scenes?
BM: I like listening to everyone’s stories. This way you can ‘hear’ how language works. Yes, you are completely off base. I can’t act. But maybe some classroom could write a play and act out the story? Wouldn’t that be fun!
MS: That would be fun! Speaking of fun, Bobbi writes picture books, too!
MS: I can’t wait for everyone to read The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince. In particular, what do you hope readers will always remember from Jack’s story?
BM: In exploring themes of racial and social justice, I recreate historical communities of those who often feel unseen and unheard, those whose isolated lives were complex and multi-layered, not only defined by class, gender and race, but also lived experiences. I give them a voice so that they can tell their story. I tend to focus on forgotten heroes, and on the girl’s hero’s journey. In The Barbary Chronicles, Jack London and her crew live in the shadows of San Francisco’s elite. Together they build a community that brings together their diverse experiences, and discover that in rising up united in resistance, they empower each other to write their own story and create their own destiny.
Vivid settings lend authenticity to the tale, while memorably rendered supporting characters and themes of loyalty, found family, and resilience give the story emotional depth. It’s a spirited romp that brings a swashbuckling era and location to life. –Publishers Weekly
MS: Awesome! What can we look forward to next? Are you working on anything new?
BM: I tend to work on a couple of projects at a time. I just finished a new manuscript, exploring themes of environmental justice in which American tall tales meets the magical realm of Camelot in a 1870s girl-centric retelling of the Knights of the Round Table. And, I’ve started mapping out a potential sequel to Jack London’s story, just in case readers want to know what happens next!
MS: Both of those projects sound fantastic! Where can readers find you online?
BM: You can find me at: TeachingAuthors – six children’s book authors with a wide range (and many years) of experience teaching writing to children, teens, and adults. And Smack Dab in the Middle a group of middle grade authors banding together to discuss MG books and the writing life, and other vital voices of individuals working in the field of MG lit.
For more information about my book, The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince, please visit the book page at Charlesbridge Moves
Thank you for listening!
And now for the giveaway! Bobbi has generously offered to share a brand new copy of The Barbary Chronicles: The Lost Prince. All you need to do to get in the running is to leave a comment below. The winner will be drawn on November 17, 2026 and then notified the following day. Sorry, U.S. mailing addresses only.🤗
I love this interview. Bobbi Miller’s books sound fascinating and his charcaters appealing to kids. I especialy agree with this statement: “It is the nature of reading that every story we’ve read stays with us, and its characters become a part of our lives.” This is so true.
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