Library Happenings

Henning School

The Henning Public School Library used Minnesota Historical Grant money to purchase the complete 20 book set of Minnesota author William Kent Kruger’s Cork O’Connor series. This series of books takes place in the fictitous town of Aurora, Minn.  The main character, Cork O’Connor is a former sheriff who is part Anishinaabe Indian and part Irish.  Sheriff O’Connor investigates, missing persons, murders, and conspiracies. These books are mainly set in Minnesota and contain multiple references to the Boundary Waters, rivers, waterways, and land of this great state.  

On August 16 William Kent Kruger made an appearance at The Cherry Street Book Store in Alexandria, Minn. Mrs. Jorgenson, a second grade teacher at Henning Public School and Mrs. Wiese went to this event and were able to get his 20th book in the Cork O’Connor series signed.  

Kruger was very patient and answered many questions about this series and also was quite humoruous. With Mrs. Jorgonson being a children’s book author, it was great for her to see how the author of adult fiction books put together his stories. 

Jorgenson is an avid fan of William Kent Kruger and she had the following to say, “William Kent Krueger has personal connections with different affiliates from several of the Ojibwe tribes in Northern MN. He uses these connections to do his best in his representations of the Ojibwe way of life and beliefs. He uses key phrases in the language of the Anishinaabeg (the Native word for Ojibwe) throughout his literature to enhance the stories. Even when they are produced in an audiobook format, they are spoken correctly. The character of Cork O’Connor goes through trials and tribulations not only as an individual, but also with his family at his side. While Cork is trying to find himself, he discovers that he is important to so many people. The relationship between Cork O’ Connor and his spiritual and physical guide, Henry Malouxe, is similar to a father-son relationship. This is a series for the mystery lovers. There isn’t a ton of gore and grotesque with this series. It is a puzzle with personal touches woven through each chapter. Cork shows us vulnerability, strength, and determination. His character grows in each book, as does the rest of the characters in the series.”

Jorgenson’s favorite book is Windigo Island, which takes Cork and his eldest daughter Jenni across the state of Minnesota, into North Dakota. The story is based partly in Williston, N.D., where as many of you know, the oil fields were booming in 2011. The way that William Kent Krueger has set and plotted this story was just incredibly appealing to her as she journeyed through those times as a young adult.

  Our library in the Henning School is a public library as well. We encourage anyone who is interested in reading to come visit us on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30-5:30 p.m. following the school calendar.