The adventures of Ethan Sparks.  Local author writes series for middle school students.

 

Kernersville author Nick Barry has had a passion for writing since he was a teen.  “I wanted to write since I was 13 and finished Catcher in the Rye,” Barry recalled with a laugh. “I put down that book and knew I wanted to be a writer.” 

 

Barry has continued that passion throughout the years, working on a variety of projects.“I’ve been writing for 40 years,” he said.  During that time I’ve written 14 novels, two stage plays and three movie scripts.”

 

According to Barry, one of the keys to writing is to do it everyday.  “I have kept this daily journal since I was 13,” he said. “I write in it every day; it does not matter how much or how little.”

 

Recently, Barry has begun releasing a series that revolves around a young adventurer that has a variety of global experiences.  “These books are about a 13-year-old boy in middle school,” Barry explained. “They are written in the first-person.”  In the novels, Ethan follows his world-famous archaeologist father on quirky digs.  “The first takes place in China where the father unearths the terra-cotta soldiers,” Barry said. “Each of the books involves a mystery that surrounds these quirky adventures.”

 

Throughout the novels, Barry utilizes short, compact paragraphs for quick reads.  “They teach children about ancient history and foreign cultures,” Barry said. “They also embrace diversity.”

 

Each book also features a friend Ethan makes along the way.  “There is always another boy that is Ethan’s age that is involved in the adventure,” Barry said. “This allows kids to see what it is like to be a kid in another culture.”

 

Response for the novels has been amazing, according to Barry.  “Teachers have been delighted with the books,” he said. “They go excellent with the lessons that are being learned in each grade.”

 

The first book, Escape of the Terra-Cotta Soldiers, takes place in China, which is an area of study for students in the seventh grade. The second novel, Revenge of Poseidon’s Trident, exposes readers to Greece. According to Barry, Greece is a focal point of

education for sixth grade students.

 

Barry has also begun reaching out to students with school discussions where he talks about his personal adventures.

“I just did a presentation for 300 seventh graders at Northwest Middle School,” Barry recalled. “I told them stories of the heart from my adventures in China. The students really enjoyed the presentation, so I’ve gotten kind of hooked.”

 

The best part of writing for Barry is inspiring children to read.

 

As the series progresses, Barry explained that Ethan develops his own voice.  “It’s cool because Ethan has helped change my perspective on life,” he explained. “He’s keeping me young. Even though old age is calling to me, Ethan’s adventures keep me

going.” The books also provide a local connection. Ethan and his father are from North Carolina.  Ethan’s father works closely with the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

 

Ultimately, the book will be a six-book series.  “I’ve done China and Greece,” he said. “I am working on the third book, which takes

place in Egypt. Afterwards, Ethan will be headed to Stonehenge, to a Native American dig and then interact with the Mayan civilization.”

 

With such a rich world at his fingertips, Barry laughed when asked who served as the inspiration for Ethan Sparks.  “For Ethan, I looked at the 13-year-old in myself and looked to my nephews for inspiration,” Barry said.

 

For more information on Nick Barry or the Ethan Sparks Adventures, visit www.nickbarrysblog.com.