Rachel Barber
1983 -1999
Official Memorial Website
Administered by Rachel's parents Michael and Elizabeth Barber
1983 -1999
Official Memorial Website
Administered by Rachel's parents Michael and Elizabeth Barber
These are a few of Rachel's favourite picture story books in the order that best come to my mind as having been read the most. One in particular, 'The Lion in the Meadow', by New Zealand author, Margaret Mahy, was her absolute favourite. When she was 15 and decided to turn her bedroom into that of a young woman's she packed up all her childhood belongings, and stored them in the cupboard under the stairs. Only one picture book remained on her bookshelf and that was this one. She had wanted me to take her to Ikea to redecorate her room. I felt conscious of how bare her room looked when police came to look through her belongings, but it had not been long since she had cleared everything. We were waiting for a day when we could both go to Ikea.
Novels
Picture Books
Unfortunately Rachel didn't read as many novels as I would have liked her too. As a children's bookseller I sometimes found this embarrassing because customers would come to me and praise me saying I was able to get their non-reading child to love books. This is quite an achievement but not one I could emulate at home with Rachel. She would look at me as if to say 'when have I time to read' and immediately watch stage musicals, or throw on dress ups, or music, and dance or organise her sisters into performances. We would come in, having been issued tickets and sit before them on dining room table chairs. She did, however, have a few favourites. Her all time great was 'The Iron Man' by Ted Hughes; even reading this one herself. I was so excited I immediately rushed out and bought its sequel, 'The Iron Lady', but she didn't read further than the first few chapters.
After her murder it was a long time before we shared any more musical soiree's with the girls. Even now I would rather sit in silence in the house than have background music. Our house was always filled with music and laughter and noise. After Rachel... it was so hard to refill this. Then I read the book 'The Bamboo Flute' by Garry Disher and realised it was not fair to Rachel's sisters. I can still remember the time Ashleigh-Rose played her flute and Heather the clarinet together as a performance. They even issued us tickets.
After her murder it was a long time before we shared any more musical soiree's with the girls. Even now I would rather sit in silence in the house than have background music. Our house was always filled with music and laughter and noise. After Rachel... it was so hard to refill this. Then I read the book 'The Bamboo Flute' by Garry Disher and realised it was not fair to Rachel's sisters. I can still remember the time Ashleigh-Rose played her flute and Heather the clarinet together as a performance. They even issued us tickets.
Another favourite Rachel left on her bookshelf when she cleared out her room was 'Back on Track', by Margaret Clark. This is about a teenager living on the streets. Rachel had even begun her own manuscript with a similar theme. I hadn't been too impressed with her strong language but encouraged her all the same. Margaret Clark was one of those authors, like Andy Griffiths, who made a real impression.
On the morning I knew the police were coming to our house I removed Back on Track and the beginnings of Rachel's manuscript because I feared they would deem this as evidence to support their view that Rachel was a run away. I put them right at the back of the very top shelf of our wardrobe, thinking that they may even search there in their efforts.
On the morning I knew the police were coming to our house I removed Back on Track and the beginnings of Rachel's manuscript because I feared they would deem this as evidence to support their view that Rachel was a run away. I put them right at the back of the very top shelf of our wardrobe, thinking that they may even search there in their efforts.
So now, Rachel's favourite novels? I have selected a few titles I know Rachel either enjoyed listening to or others I know she read and managed to see through to the last page. No small feat for Rachel. If she finished reading a book; it was a success.
Sound track to Little Women. In bio we have shared a lovely memory how Rachel dressed in character to go to the Cinema. (After seeing the film she read the book.)
