From the Dakota people who first inhabited the state to its generations of immigrants and today's residents, Minnesota has long had a vibrant and unique storytelling tradition. A rich and often under appreciated part of this tradition is youth storytelling--a movement of which Minnesota is a national forerunner. Here, for the first time, two of the state's beloved independent booksellers collect a wide array of short stories for young readers that pay homage to Minnesota's diverse cultures and stunning landscapes.
Sky Blue Water celebrates young adult and intermediate fiction from some of Minnesota's most beloved and award-winning authors to emerging talents and many more. With each turn of the page, every young reader will find a poignant and relatable story: tales of discovering hidden truths about one's family, dealing with a difficult bully, and falling for the new kid who dresses like a cowboy, as well as settings from Rainy Lake to Lake Calhoun and time periods from Prohibition to the present day. Featuring primarily never-published stories, this anthology beautifully captures the essence of a Minnesota adolescence in twenty short stories and poems. Sky Blue Water features a Q&A between Minnesota classrooms and the contributing authors as well as curriculum materials for families, teachers, and students.
This collection embodies passion for fostering literacy in young readers. A portion of the proceeds from Sky Blue Water will go to the Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute, a Twin Cities organization offering free tutoring and writing assistance for students ages six to eighteen.
Contributors: William Alexander; Swati Avasthi; Kelly Barnhill; Mary Casanova; John Coy; Kirstin Cronn-Mills; Anika Fajardo; Shannon Gibney; Pete Hautman; Lynne Jonell; Kevin Kling; Margi Preus; Marcie Rendon; Kurtis Scaletta; Julie Schumacher; Joyce Sidman; Phuoc Thi Minh Tran; Anne Ursu; Sarah Warren; Stephanie Watson; Kao Kalia Yang.
About the Author: Jay D. Peterson spent twelve years as the store manager of Magers and Quinn Booksellers of Minneapolis. He is an active and dedicated member of the Twin Cities literary community and served as founding board chair of the Mid-Continent Oceanographic Institute.
Collette A. Morgan believes that sharing stories changes lives. In 1992, she and Tom Braun opened Wild Rumpus Books in Minneapolis. She has served on the board of directors of the American Bookseller's Association and the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association, among others.
Kevin Kling is a well-known playwright and storyteller, and his commentaries can be heard on NPR's All Things Considered. He lives in Minneapolis.
