Middle-grade author H.M. Bouwman will read from her newest novel, Scattergood, which features a thirteen-year-old protagonist named Peggy who witnesses numerous changes in her small Iowa farm community (West Branch) in 1941. Writers’ Workshop alum Laurel Snyder wrote in her New York Times Book Review of Scattergood that it’s “…a brave, beautiful book, wise enough to reach for something beyond certainty,” and Kirkus Reviews calls it an “engaging, textured, and deeply humane coming-of-age novel.”

H.M. Bouwman is the author of middle-grade novels for kids, including fantasy novels such as A Crack in the Sea and Gossamer Summer and the historical novel Scattergood. Her books have been named as finalists for various state awards; the “best of” Kirkus list; the Junior Library Guild Gold Standard; a Kid’s Indie Next Pick; finalist for the Midwest Booksellers Choice Awards; and a VOYA top shelf selection. You can find more about Bouwman’s books at www.hmbouwman.com.