The Breaks

“A story of growth, trust, and friendship between independent women who find strength with one another.”—Kirkus Reviews
“The character development is superb, and the author takes the time to flesh out the characters of even the more minor players. The overarching theme is never to settle, always look for new challenges, and have the courage to accept people at face value and not prejudge them. This relatable tale made me examine many of my practices and habits; an excellent and enjoyable read I highly recommend.”—Readers’ Favorite, 5-star review
“Ellen Barker has given us a powerful novel infused with humanity, heart, hope, and characters you won’t want to leave behind. The perfect antidote to these divisive times.”—Kate Feiffer, author of Morning Pages
“Beautifully written, with enchanting characters. An illuminating look at the deep injustice suffered by innocent persons of color trapped in the foster care–to–prison pipeline. Written with humor and a light touch. The Breaks is a winner!”—Neroli Lacey, author of The Perfumer’s Secret

Ellen Barker grew up in Kansas City during a period of demographic upheaval, and she returns there in her novels. She has a bachelor’s degree in urban studies from Washington University in Saint Louis, where she developed a passion for how cities work, and don’t. She began her career as an urban planner, then spent many years working for large consulting firms, first as a writer-editor and later managing large data systems. Her volunteer work involves years of pet-assisted therapy with children in “the system,” both foster care and prison. She is the author of East of Troost, which introduced readers to the neighborhood where The Breaks takes place, and Still Needs Work, which takes place in the same area. She now lives in Los Altos, California, with her husband and their German shepherd, Boris, who is the inspiration for the dog in this novel.

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