Summer Reads Suggestions Now Streaming!

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S4 EP177: Micki Bare, Author of The Middle-Grade 

Magical Realism Series, Zahra of the Uwharries

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Hello My Happy People, 

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Today on Book Banter with Dianne Burckhardt–Book Talk Podcast get ready to step into a world where fairy magic meets real-world heart in my conversation with award-winning, middle-grade author Micki Bare. A graduate of NC State University with a BA in Speech Communication and a Master of Arts in Teaching in middle-school social studies, Micki brings decades of educational insight—and eighteen years as a columnist—to every page she writes.

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Her latest novel, KIMIMILA RETURNS (May 2025), is the fourth installment in the beloved Zahra of the Uwharries series. When elder fairy Bubble Rain reappears—one of the feared omens signaling the end of her people—and a young fairy vanishes, Zahra must confront the shadowy Umbra Fae in her greatest adventure yet. We’ll dive into Micki’s inspirations, her seamless blend of magical realism and low fantasy, and how she crafts middle-grade stories that resonate with young readers and parents alike.

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Micki’s three-decade career in education—as teacher, administrator, and marketing director—infuses her writing with authenticity and heart. She’ll share how her years guiding middle-schoolers and penning a longtime column sharpened her storytelling skills, and what she’s learned about building worlds that both enchant and empower.

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Based in Asheboro, NC with her husband, Micki recharges by gardening, cooking, traveling, and hiking the Uwharrie peaks that inspired Zahra’s journey. Tune in to discover the magic behind the pages—and why every reader, young or old, will root for Zahra as she fights to save her fairy kin.

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Don't wait, go listen now to the full interview to hear about this author's journey from the woman herself. ​

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Just click the purple microphone above to join our conversation. ​​​​​​​​

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If you have middle-graders who love magical realism,

you may have just found their new favorite author. ​​​

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