Monninger, Joseph: A Barn in New England

Joseph Monninger has written several award winning Young Adult novels.  This biographical book, A Barn in New England; Making a Home on Three Acres, is his account of the renovation of an old barn into his home. When he, Wendy and Pie, her son, move in to the barn, no one has ever lived in it year round.

A Barn in New England follows the trio from their first sighting of the barn, to the difficulty in purchasing it, through the first year of making it home.  Renovating any six thousand square foot building would be a challenge but this one had a few extra quirks.  It was built as a barn, likely in the 1800’s.  It is four stories tall of mostly open space.  The frame is built of large beams from local lumber with a foundation of huge rocks.  The basement is partially finished, partly dirt floored.

While Wendy and Joe are prioritizing lists of things to do and the cost of their renovations, eight-year-old Pie is dealing with his own moving trauma. His bedroom is high above the main floor of the barn, overlooking the “keeping room.”  A move for an eight-year-old always involves a new school and new friends.  Joe builds a style over the fence so Pie can get to school easily. Joe and Pie eat breakfast on the porch, work together to build a fence and a fire pit while Pie quickly becomes involved in whatever is going on in his new neighborhood.   

Clarence, who had helped Joe with work around his old home, is a handy man who is willing to tackle any job.  Clarence jacked up the barn when he discovered rotting beams and posts in the basement while he was repairing the foundation.  He leveled the porch and replaced logs that were rotted.  Joe called Clarence when the first fall storm revealed many leaks in the roof.  Clarence knew what type of roof would be best for them, and who they should call to do the work.

     Wendy had learned carpentry “at her father’s knee” and her skills enabled them to insulate the inside lower walls and to cut and use re-claimed lumber to finish the walls over the insulation.  Wendy also tore out the existing kitchen and remodeled it with the help of a few friends the week before Thanksgiving.     

While the renovation was going on, Joe, Wendy, and Pie explored their new neighborhood.  We learn about the history of a local covered bridge, go shopping with them in the local markets, watch as they plant trees, fence the yard and invite a local farmer’s sheep to mow their meadow.  This is a warm story of three people making themselves a home at the same time they make themselves a family.  I recommend A Barn in New England to anyone who has ever dreamed of “going back to the earth.”

by Margie Gilbert