Author Ann Hanigan Kotz at Spencer Public Library

Monday, March 25, 2024 – 1:00PM

Spencer Public Library is excited to announce an upcoming event featuring Iowa author, Ann Hanigan Kotz from Adel. The event is scheduled for Monday, March 25, at 1:00 PM and is open to the public, free of charge.

Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with Ann as she delves into her literary journey, rooted in her upbringing in western Iowa. She will share captivating insights into the inspiration behind her debut novel, “The Journey of Karoline Olsen,” a poignant narrative inspired by her great-great grandparents’ immigration from Oslo, Norway, and settlement in Iowa.

The Journey of Karoline Olsen, is the tale of a woman and a wife building the American Dream out of nothing but the dirt on which she stands. When her husband dies in 1905, middle-aged Karoline Olsen, must make the 145-mile trip from Cedar Falls to Soldier by horse-drawn wagon to bring his body home. With the corpse on fast-melting ice, Karoline struggles to make good time across the prairie during an exceptionally hot summer, recalling the story of their rocky marriage.

Sons & Daughters continues the story of Karoline Olsen. With her husband freshly buried, Karoline now shoulders the twin burdens of raising her large brood of children, including the one she carries in her belly, and managing a difficult farm life by herself in the Loess Hills. Spanning 1905 to 1933, the second installment of the Olsen series brings major world events—WWI, the Spanish Flu, Prohibition, Suffrage, and the Great Depression—to Iowa, impacting the lives of the Soldier inhabitants, including the Olsens.

Ann Hanigan Kotz’s deep-rooted connection to Iowa, growing up on a farm near Denison, adds authenticity and depth to her storytelling. Her passion for literature blossomed during her youth, spending summers immersed in books at the Carnegie Library. Ann pursued her academic journey at the University of Northern Iowa, earning a Bachelor of Arts in English, eventually dedicating 33 years to teaching high school English.

Join us for an enlightening and inspiring session with Ann Hanigan Kotz as she shares her experiences, insights, and the captivating story of the Olsen family. Mark your calendars for March 25th at Spencer Public Library!