TAB as a college kid in Colorado: Much has changed, but not the hiking boots.

T.A. Barron grew up in Colorado ranch country and traveled widely as a Rhodes Scholar. Though he'd dreamed of becoming a writer, he couldn't find anyone to publish his first novel. He joined a business, eventually became president, then decided to try again. So in 1990, he surprised his business partners by moving back to Colorado to become a writer and conservationist. Since then he has written 25 highly acclaimed novels, children's books, and nature books, many of which are international best sellers.

He is the winner of the 2011 de Grummond USM Medallion for "lifetime contribution to the field of children's and young adult literature." In addition, he has won the Nautilus Award, given to books that inspire a better world, along with many honors from the American Library Association and the International Reading Association. His books, now in over 20 languages, include The Lost Years of Merlin (currently being developed into a feature film), The Great Tree of Avalon (a New York Times best-selling series), The Ancient One (the tale of a brave girl and a magical tree), and The Hero's Trail (nonfiction stories of courageous kids).

In 2000, he founded a national award to honor outstanding young people who help their communities or the environment: the Gloria Barron Prize for Young Heroes, which honors 25 highly diverse, public-spirited kids each year. He recently produced a documentary film, Dream Big, profiling seven winners of the Barron Prize. When not writing or speaking, T. A. Barron serves on many boards including Princeton University, where he helped to create the Princeton Environmental Institute, and The Wilderness Society, which recently honored him with its highest award for conservation work. His favorite pastime is hiking, camping, or skiing in Colorado with his family, which he does at every opportunity.

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