Dear Reader:
I’m pleased to introduce you to the second in the Cottonwood series, the sequel to Cottonwood Summer. Cottonwood Fall continues the story of the remarkable events that occurred in the mythical town of Riverton, Michigan during the summer of 1944. This novel was selected as finalist for the PMA 2007 Benjamin Franklin Book Award for Popular Fiction.
For as long as I can remember, I have been fascinated with
the Second World War -- especially with how people on the home
front used humor, hard work, and unfaltering optimism to cope
with shortages, casualty reports, and fear. How Americans interacted
with the thousands of German prisoners of war interred in their
communities is particularly intriguing to me. With these somber
issues as grist, I challenged myself to tell a story that is realistic,
yet funny, and enjoyable to readers of all ages.
My experience growing up in a Michigan town with a POW camp
on its outskirts was the impetus for creating this book. Inspirations
for its characters emerged from the examples of hardworking immigrants
who populated my old neighborhood and the steadfast people who
worked the surrounding farms.
I am delighted to share Cottonwood Fall with you. And you might like to check out Cottonwood Summer and Cottonwood Winter: A Christmas Story. I hope
you will enjoy reading them as much as I enjoyed writing them.
Sincerely,
Gary Slaughter
