There is a new local book hot off the press called Mush, You Huskies, Mush!
Author Barbara Humes and her husband, Bill, were longtime Orcas Island residents and founders/owners of Warm Valley Farm (50+ years!) after having homesteaded near a little town in Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula called Hope, which is the setting of the book. The main character is an 11-year-old boy named David whose family moves from a predictable California life to Alaska’s isolated wilderness, and the book has elements of historical fiction and dogsledding adventure based on Barbara’s experiences with her family in and around the Hope area in the 1940s. Its audience is kids from the ages of 9-13 years old.
Barbara and Bill were close friends with their neighbors across the street, Bob and Maria Nutt of Warm Valley Orchard.
After Barbara died in 2012, the manuscript sat in Bob’s shop for many years. This past January, he resurrected it and asked if I would edit and publish it. A few years ago, I helped local writer and painter, Frank Loudin, publish two books of his stories (Yarns and Christmas Yarns), and I was happy to take on this new project for Bob. Mush, You Huskies, Mush! is now available as a hardcover ($24.99), softcover ($16.99), and e-book ($4.99) on all the major online book sellers (Amazon, Barnes & Noble, etc).
There will be a book unveiling Wednesday, September 17th, which would be Barbara’s 105th birthday, in downtown Eastsound at The Dragonfly Coffee House at 254 North Beach Road, across from the Village Green. Anyone and everyone is welcome to drop in from 4-6 PM for a warm drink, refreshments, and the chance to posthumously honor Barbara’s memory. Book purchases can be made with cash, check, or Venmo.
If you are unable to make it to the unveiling, copies will be available at the Fall Farmers Market at the Public School cafeteria from October 4th to November 22nd. They are currently being considered for use in local 5th grade classes as well. Look out for upcoming library events and book talks too!
See you at The Dragonfly on September 17th from 4-6 PM…
This article is also in this week’s issue of The Islands’ Sounder.
