Pyron’s childhood obsession with the great classical dog books and her adult advocacy for the Sheltie breed inspired her next book, “A Dog’s Way Home.” An inspiring portrayal of devotion and survival against all odds, the middle-grade novel won over 500 entries for the Dog Writers Association of America’s Maxwell Medal of Excellence and the Merial Human-Animal Bond Award. The story of a young girl-teen on the edge of trouble struggling to find purpose and focus through the non-traditional sport of boxing, “The Ring” was a Finalist for the Utah Book Award.

Her first novel, “The Ring” (2009) introduced Pyron as an authentic new voice, lyrical in tone and appealing to the imaginations and lives of young readers. When writer’s cramp gripped her on page 32, the great-great-great-great niece of Harriet Beecher Stowe shelved her literary aspirations for almost 40 years.Īfter attaining degrees in anthropology and psychology and earning credentials as a librarian, Pyron settled in the mountains of Utah where she worked as a children’s librarian for over 25 years, a career that would re-awaken her destiny as a writer through her observations of the interest and needs of young teens.

Her experience of loss and the healing provided through Puck’s constant companionship led her to read and re-read classic dog adventure tales like “Lassie, Come Home” and “The Incredible Journey.” Pyron’s first inspired effort at writing occurred as a 9-year-old when she took pen to paper determined to become a published author. Following the devastating loss of her father in a car accident at age 7, Pyron was seldom seen without the family beagle, Puck, at her side. As a shy, quiet child prone to worry, Pyron’s best friends in the small fishing village of Destin were animals and books. The long path to Pyron’s awarded career began in early childhood.

Her YA (young adult) novels are based on personal life experiences in recurring themes of love of family and a strong connection with animals, especially the canine variety, to create memorable tales of love, loss and the power of friendship. Within the pages of Bobbie Pyron’s novels for teens, readers of all ages can find themselves in stories to be savored, characters to be loved and graceful endings to be cherished.

The dogs of winter by bobbie pyron