Library Happenings

Henning School

In 1922 my great grandmother died from the influenza outbreak, leaving behind a husband and two small children, ages 2 1/2 and 1. My great grandfather chose to give these two children away to separate family members who could take better care of them then he could at the time. I do not know all the details of how he came to that decision, but I am grateful that he made it because that is how I am here today.  

Parents make difficult decisions as to what they believe is best for their children daily and our featured book this week covers one of those situations. 

This week’s featured book is “Marven of the Great North Woods” written by Kathryn Lasky and illustrated by Kevin Hawkes. This book is the true story of the author’s father, Marven. In 1918, an influenza epidemic hit Duluth, Minn. Marven’s parents do not want him near the disease and they choose to send this small Jewish child away. Being the only son of his parents, this must have been a difficult choice. Because the place Marven is going to is a logging camp in the middle of nowhere, Marven has to ski five miles past where he gets off the train. Being 10-years-old, Marven becomes the book keeper and the “waker of the lumberjacks.” This is an adventurous story filled with excitement.   

Come on up to the Henning Public Library and check out what we have to offer in books. This is just one of the many Kathryn Lasky books that we have.  We are open Tuesday and Thursday afternoons from 3:30-5:30 p.m. following the school calendar.  

“This project has been financed in part with funds provided by the State of Minnesota from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund through the Minnesota Historical Society.”