In my research and writing, I use primary sources to help readers make empathetic connections to people who made American history and see beyond historical events and dates to the people who lived in those times and places. When kids put themselves in historical contexts, they see how they might have acted then and be able to make a difference in their world today. I gather information through letters, journals, newspaper articles, interviews and public records to bring historical people out of being just names and dates in a period of history into living personalities with hopes, fears, motives, strengths and weaknesses.
My first book, Samuel Wilbert Tucker: The Story of a Civil Rights Trailblazer and the 1939 Alexandria Library Sit-In, tells of Tucker’s work to desegregate public schools and his role in the earliest-known organized sit-in advocating for equal access to a public library, a place of independent learning that should have been open to everyone. The book supports U.S. History 1865-present and is perfect for anyone who wants to know about little-known, significant historical events and the people who lived them.
My second book, A Place Called Home: The Story of German Immigrants from Cincinnati, Ohio to New Ulm, Minnesota 1856-1862 was released August 24, 2024 at the Brown County Historical Society Annex, New Ulm, Minnesota.
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For autographed copies, class sets and school visits:
Samuel Wilbert Tucker: [email protected] 
A Place Called Home: [email protected] 