When author Karen Autio learned there had been a plot by German agents to destroy the Canadian Pacific bridge in her hometown of Nipigon in 1915, it was as if someone had handed her a gift-wrapped plot for her new novel. When Autio launches Sabotage (the final installment in her historical fiction trilogy for young children) at the Waverley Resource Library on September 4 (details below) the author will share some of the fascinating background to a story full of drama and intrigue. She will also share favourite Finnish and German snacks featured in the book: Finnish Cardamom Cookies are a family favourite at Christmas, but Autio will crack open her grandmother’s Finnish cookbook a bit early so she can share this favourite treat with fans.
“It’s not always easy to know when to stop researching and start writing,” Autio confesses, though it seems she has finally come to the end of Saara’s story. “I write about events in Canada’s history that haven’t had much attention; sabotage and internment in Canada during the First World War, the sinking of the Empress of Ireland, and living in a TB sanatorium.” Fortunately for young readers, this talented author has no shortage of material to draw from so even though Saara’s story comes to a close in Sabotage, there are many more fascinating tales for Karen Autio to tell.
Meet Karen Autio:
Book signing and author presentation
September 4, 2013
7:00 pm – 8:30 pm
Waverley Resource Library
285 Red River Road
Thunder Bay, ON
Free
What People Are Saying…
“Way back when I read an excerpt from what would become Karen’s first book at a writing conference, I knew she had a special gift for blending historical fact with compelling storytelling. Autio was good back then, but with each book, she just keeps getting better and better.” Nikki Tate, Author/writing instructor
“Sabotage is an amazing book! I loved this book so much! I want to read it again!” Emma, Grade 5
To request review copies or arrange author interviews, please contact Diane Morriss at 1-800-370-5228 or books@sononis.com
About the Book:
German spies? Sabotage plots? Innocent people interned in camps? Believe it or not, this is northwestern Ontario in 1915. The danger hits close to home for battling siblings Saara and John Maki. Can they work together to save their family?
Sabotage is the sequel to Saara’s Passage and completes the trilogy about the Finnish Maki family in early Thunder Bay. In response to reader demand, this novel features more about John: the chapters alternate between Saara’s and John’s points of view.
HISTORICAL FICTION • Ages 10+ • 296 pp • 5.25 x 7.75
ISBN 978-1-55039-208-1 • paper • $10.95 • September 2013 release
About the Author:
Karen Autio writes historical fiction for young readers. She grew up horse-crazy and book-loving in Nipigon, Ontario, then majored in math and computer science at university. After her youngest child started grade one, Karen’s love of family history and the tale of a Finnish silver spoon inspired her to write. When she’s not researching, writing, or working as a freelance editor, Karen enjoys cycling, reading, and travel. She delights in revealing nuggets of little-known Canadian history in her classroom presentations. Karen lives with her husband in Kelowna, British Columbia.
Learn more at www.karenautio.com and www.facebook.com/
