Barbara A. Hawley grew up in the Philippines, where her parents worked in medical missions. Her cross-cultural childhood shaped her worldview and storytelling.
She’s the author of the Julie Mitchell Mysteries-–middle-grade global adventures featuring a curious sleuth who uncovers secrets that cross borders. Barbara’s book At the Threshold of Goodbye and Hello explores themes of belonging and grief in the Third Culture Kid experience. Her writing also appears in Childhood Regained, a collection of stories about child labor in Asia.
Barbara blogs about multicultural literacy and shares helpful tips for parents and teachers at www.barbarahawley.com. After living in five different states, she now makes her home in North Carolina near her grandchildren, who made it impossible to leave.
Visit Barbara Hawley online
Photo ID
Yesterday her biggest fear was surviving a new school. Today she’s just trying to stay alive. Julie Mitchell anticipates a fun summer with friends before starting high school—until her missionary dad accepts a job halfway around the world. Leaving her Ohio life to begin school overseas, she travels with Lauren Powers, daughter of the American ambassador. Minutes after the flight, three terrorists take Julie hostage. The clock ticks toward a terrifying fate, and Julie’s only hope is to pretend to be someone she’s not. As the ruthless terrorists tighten their grip, she wonders: will her courage and wits be enough to survive? Photo ID is a faith-filled mystery adventure that will appeal to 10–14-year-olds, or to anyone looking for stories packed with action and intrigue.
- ISBN: 196288001X
- Publisher: Steel Sampaguita Books
Interview with Barbara Hawley 2026
Barbara A. Hawley is a debut middle-grade author who loves sharing her knowledge and experience as a Third Culture Kid (TCK) in both her fiction and non-fiction work. She describes her Julie Mitchell mystery series as, “a detective series that takes young readers across borders.”
“A teen sleuth who solves mysteries in global settings provides unusual plot lines!” she added in reference to what makes her stories and writing unique.
Experiences of a TCK
Barbara was collecting stories and ideas long before she became interested in writing and publishing. Many of these came from growing up as a missionary kid (MK) in the Philippines.
“Being a TCK gave me an appreciation for other cultures and a curiosity about the world, she said. “And a lot of emotional baggage that makes great poetry. I am kidding. Kind of.”
One of her most memorable moments as a TCK was, “That time I stumbled–quite literally–on a corpse. A man killed in a bolo fight was lying among the tall grasses when I walked to the beach early one morning. Bolo fights were the second cause of death in the Philippine village where my dad was a missionary doctor.”
When I asked Hawley what she wishes people understood about TCK’s, she replied, “I love this question because many people don’t know about Third Culture Kids. A key takeaway is that the ‘third’ culture is not a blend of Culture 1 and Culture 2, but rather its own distinct culture with predictable traits. It’s a fascinating phenomenon recognized by sociologists. It also makes for interesting story characters!”
Early Writing Experiences
Hawley first fell in love with writing in the form of journalism when she was in high school. However, rather than pursuing a degree in that field, she obtained a Bachelors in secondary education. And continued to write anyway.
“For years, I wrote almost all nonfiction: devotionals, church newsletters, feature articles, essays,” she shared. “When I tried fiction, it felt so exhilarating to write without an assigned topic! Learning the publishing angle is difficult, but I try to think of it as ‘adult education’ without the degree–or tuition costs.”
Barbara was led to turn her attention to middle grade fiction because of her own experiences at that age.
“Whenever I see middle graders, particularly girls,” she explained, “I feel a longing to tell them, ‘It’ll be OK.’ It’s such an impressionable age. It can be lonely and confusing. Books were my solace in those years; books shaped my thinking. By writing the Julie Mitchell Mysteries, I aim to provide worthy fiction with an admirable female lead.”
In addition to her cross-cultural life, Hawley’s work in home health for 20+ years and her position as a staff writer have also impacted her writing.
“As a private aide in home health, I gained a wealth of material and insight into human nature,” she said. “I’ve planned a series to use these ideas. As a staff writer for a business magazine, I learned research, interviewing, and working under an editor. The articles I wrote for a different magazine were unpaid submissions that I put into a collection and published last year. The beauty of writing is that no life experiences are ever wasted.”
And of course, Barbara’s faith is a big part of everything she does.
“I pray my storytelling reflects an authentic relationship with Christ, nothing canned. As far as the writing work itself, my trust in God is essential. He empowers me–to not quit, to communicate the right message, to find doors of opportunity.”
About Photo ID (the book, not the personal identification)
Barbara’s inspiration for her book, Photo ID, “germinated from embroidered nametags required on each article of clothing at my boarding school while growing up. I wondered, what if…? And the plot came to me. I think ‘what if?’ is the best question to jumpstart any story.”
As she developed the story, Hawley pulled from her many experiences in living overseas, traveling solo, and her fear of being kidnapped as a foreign white child.
Some of the key themes woven throughout this book include the fact that, “God is with you and cares for you every moment,” Barbara shared. “I claimed this truth at an early age when I was sent to boarding school at age eight, which was typical for MKs in those days, and through the following years. My life verse is Hebrews 13:5b ‘I will never leave you…’ He never has.”
Publishing Photo ID was the culmination of a long-time dream.
“Ever since my three daughters were young, I longed to see my Julie Mitchell mysteries published,” Hawley said. “Releasing Photo ID fulfilled that dream. I believe it set an example for my girls and my granddaughters to pursue what God has called you to do.”
The best experience Barbara has had since publishing this book is the realization that, “Readers can now enter the world of my imagination, and meet the people of my imagination. This sharing of worlds between author and reader feels almost supernatural. A 12- year-old said to me, ‘I wish I could go to school with Julie Mitchell.’ THAT made my day!”
When they read her book, Barbara hopes people come away with, “A wider worldview. I was fortunate to gain that because of my cross-cultural upbringing. But even a young reader who’s never traveled can attain it through books.”
Present Author Experiences:
Most Significant Step in Publication Journey: “Joining ACFW. It kept me going when I had no other support. By participating in the Novel Track Writing loop, I completed seven manuscripts. True story: I had set aside Book 5 of the series for over seven years. Julie Mitchell was stranded alone on a deserted island. With the accountability of NTW, I pulled out that manuscript and finally got her rescued!”
Greatest Moment of Writing/Publishing Career (so far): “Holding a paperback of Photo ID in my hands. After years of computer drafts, nothing compares. I want to tell any unpublished author to be tenacious–it’s worth it!”
Funniest Moment as an Author: “An ARC reader got an invitation from BookFunnel to download a copy of Photo ID. She messaged me, ‘I’m not comfortable downloading my driver’s license which is the only photo ID I have.’ She had recently been a victim of hacking. Once she realized that’s the title of my book, we laughed so hard.”
Most Enjoyable Part of Writing: “Nearly everything! The euphoria of writing 300 words, the surprises in pantsing, the word-wrangling, the way my character solves a dilemma without my help, the angst of putting emotion on paper. I imagine any satisfaction we writers attain is like that of an archeologist who digs a shovelful at a time to find buried treasure. The struggle makes the reward sweeter.”
Toughest Part of Writing Middle-Grade: “Reaching middle grade readers. Grandparents, parents, and educators usually buy the books, so marketing is a challenge. The Julie Mitchell Mysteries are geared to higher reading levels–adults have told me they enjoy them too. But they don’t have YA themes so they’re slotted as MG. I wish there were a ‘tween’ category!”
What’s Next in terms of Writing: “The second Julie Mitchell mystery is with my editor, with plans to launch soon. I’ve written the next five books in the series so readers won’t have to wait long in between!”
How to Connect with Barbara A. Hawley: “Please go to my website, https://www.barbarahawley.com to subscribe to my newsletter, which provides updates on my writing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jenny Fulton is a wife, mother, author, blogger, and freelance writer. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, she grew up hearing stories from my dad about the supernatural workings on the Navajo Reservation. As a child, she collected angels and loved anything related to fairy tales. Her days are now mostly spent raising my three young daughters and writing as much as time and opportunity allows. Follow her at her blog, Heart Soul Mind.
“A teen sleuth who solves mysteries in global settings provides unusual plot lines!” she added in reference to what makes her stories and writing unique.
Experiences of a TCK
Barbara was collecting stories and ideas long before she became interested in writing and publishing. Many of these came from growing up as a missionary kid (MK) in the Philippines.
“Being a TCK gave me an appreciation for other cultures and a curiosity about the world, she said. “And a lot of emotional baggage that makes great poetry. I am kidding. Kind of.”
One of her most memorable moments as a TCK was, “That time I stumbled–quite literally–on a corpse. A man killed in a bolo fight was lying among the tall grasses when I walked to the beach early one morning. Bolo fights were the second cause of death in the Philippine village where my dad was a missionary doctor.”
When I asked Hawley what she wishes people understood about TCK’s, she replied, “I love this question because many people don’t know about Third Culture Kids. A key takeaway is that the ‘third’ culture is not a blend of Culture 1 and Culture 2, but rather its own distinct culture with predictable traits. It’s a fascinating phenomenon recognized by sociologists. It also makes for interesting story characters!”
Early Writing Experiences
Hawley first fell in love with writing in the form of journalism when she was in high school. However, rather than pursuing a degree in that field, she obtained a Bachelors in secondary education. And continued to write anyway.
“For years, I wrote almost all nonfiction: devotionals, church newsletters, feature articles, essays,” she shared. “When I tried fiction, it felt so exhilarating to write without an assigned topic! Learning the publishing angle is difficult, but I try to think of it as ‘adult education’ without the degree–or tuition costs.”
Barbara was led to turn her attention to middle grade fiction because of her own experiences at that age.
“Whenever I see middle graders, particularly girls,” she explained, “I feel a longing to tell them, ‘It’ll be OK.’ It’s such an impressionable age. It can be lonely and confusing. Books were my solace in those years; books shaped my thinking. By writing the Julie Mitchell Mysteries, I aim to provide worthy fiction with an admirable female lead.”
In addition to her cross-cultural life, Hawley’s work in home health for 20+ years and her position as a staff writer have also impacted her writing.
“As a private aide in home health, I gained a wealth of material and insight into human nature,” she said. “I’ve planned a series to use these ideas. As a staff writer for a business magazine, I learned research, interviewing, and working under an editor. The articles I wrote for a different magazine were unpaid submissions that I put into a collection and published last year. The beauty of writing is that no life experiences are ever wasted.”
And of course, Barbara’s faith is a big part of everything she does.
“I pray my storytelling reflects an authentic relationship with Christ, nothing canned. As far as the writing work itself, my trust in God is essential. He empowers me–to not quit, to communicate the right message, to find doors of opportunity.”
About Photo ID (the book, not the personal identification)
Barbara’s inspiration for her book, Photo ID, “germinated from embroidered nametags required on each article of clothing at my boarding school while growing up. I wondered, what if…? And the plot came to me. I think ‘what if?’ is the best question to jumpstart any story.”
As she developed the story, Hawley pulled from her many experiences in living overseas, traveling solo, and her fear of being kidnapped as a foreign white child.
Some of the key themes woven throughout this book include the fact that, “God is with you and cares for you every moment,” Barbara shared. “I claimed this truth at an early age when I was sent to boarding school at age eight, which was typical for MKs in those days, and through the following years. My life verse is Hebrews 13:5b ‘I will never leave you…’ He never has.”
Publishing Photo ID was the culmination of a long-time dream.
“Ever since my three daughters were young, I longed to see my Julie Mitchell mysteries published,” Hawley said. “Releasing Photo ID fulfilled that dream. I believe it set an example for my girls and my granddaughters to pursue what God has called you to do.”
The best experience Barbara has had since publishing this book is the realization that, “Readers can now enter the world of my imagination, and meet the people of my imagination. This sharing of worlds between author and reader feels almost supernatural. A 12- year-old said to me, ‘I wish I could go to school with Julie Mitchell.’ THAT made my day!”
When they read her book, Barbara hopes people come away with, “A wider worldview. I was fortunate to gain that because of my cross-cultural upbringing. But even a young reader who’s never traveled can attain it through books.”
Present Author Experiences:
Most Significant Step in Publication Journey: “Joining ACFW. It kept me going when I had no other support. By participating in the Novel Track Writing loop, I completed seven manuscripts. True story: I had set aside Book 5 of the series for over seven years. Julie Mitchell was stranded alone on a deserted island. With the accountability of NTW, I pulled out that manuscript and finally got her rescued!”
Greatest Moment of Writing/Publishing Career (so far): “Holding a paperback of Photo ID in my hands. After years of computer drafts, nothing compares. I want to tell any unpublished author to be tenacious–it’s worth it!”
Funniest Moment as an Author: “An ARC reader got an invitation from BookFunnel to download a copy of Photo ID. She messaged me, ‘I’m not comfortable downloading my driver’s license which is the only photo ID I have.’ She had recently been a victim of hacking. Once she realized that’s the title of my book, we laughed so hard.”
Most Enjoyable Part of Writing: “Nearly everything! The euphoria of writing 300 words, the surprises in pantsing, the word-wrangling, the way my character solves a dilemma without my help, the angst of putting emotion on paper. I imagine any satisfaction we writers attain is like that of an archeologist who digs a shovelful at a time to find buried treasure. The struggle makes the reward sweeter.”
Toughest Part of Writing Middle-Grade: “Reaching middle grade readers. Grandparents, parents, and educators usually buy the books, so marketing is a challenge. The Julie Mitchell Mysteries are geared to higher reading levels–adults have told me they enjoy them too. But they don’t have YA themes so they’re slotted as MG. I wish there were a ‘tween’ category!”
What’s Next in terms of Writing: “The second Julie Mitchell mystery is with my editor, with plans to launch soon. I’ve written the next five books in the series so readers won’t have to wait long in between!”
How to Connect with Barbara A. Hawley: “Please go to my website, https://www.barbarahawley.com to subscribe to my newsletter, which provides updates on my writing.
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Jenny Fulton is a wife, mother, author, blogger, and freelance writer. An enrolled member of the Navajo Nation, she grew up hearing stories from my dad about the supernatural workings on the Navajo Reservation. As a child, she collected angels and loved anything related to fairy tales. Her days are now mostly spent raising my three young daughters and writing as much as time and opportunity allows. Follow her at her blog, Heart Soul Mind.
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