Stay local- read Wisconsin authors!

There's so much buzz out there lately about buying local products--but have you ever thought about reading books written by local authors? Here's a few to choose from:

Stephen E. Ambrose (1936 - 2002) A best-selling historian, Ambrose is known for his books about World War II, the American West, and for presidential biographies. (Raised in Whitewater.)

Robert Bloch (1917 - 1994) Best known for Psycho, the novel that formed the basis of Alfred Hitchcock's film classic, Block was an award-winning science fiction and mystery writer. (Raised in Milwaukee.)

Kevin Henkes (1960 - ) Best known for his children's books and illustrations, Kevin Henkes' fiction and picture books for young readers have been praised by many critics for their light-hearted, yet sensitive portrayal common occurrences in young children's lives. (Born in Racine, attended UW-Madison, lives in Madison.)

Jacquelyn Mitchard (1953 - ) Mitchard achieved fame when her first novel, "The Deep End of the Ocean", was the first selection of Oprah Winfrey's Book Club. (Lives in Madison.)

Sterling North (1906 - 1974) North's books for children and adults present a nostalgic view of rural life early in the twentieth century,as illustrated by his most famous children's book, "Rascal". (Born in Edgerton.)

Jane Hamilton (1957 - ) Hamilton is a novelist whose work expresses the difficulties of contemporary society as reflected by characters living in small, midwestern towns. (Lives in Rochester.)

Ellen Baker (1975- ) Author of Keeping the House and I Gave My Heart to Know This. Grew up in Wisconsin.

Lois Ehlert (1934- ) Author and illustrator Lois Ehlert has written and illustrated, or illustrated for other authors, over 30 books. (Born in Beaver Dam, now lives in Milwaukee.)

Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867-1957) This beloved children’s author was born in 1867 in Pepin, Wisconsin, which is the setting for her first novel, The Little House in the Big Woods. Most of her work attempts to capture the pioneer experience in America through her childhood experiences in Wisconsin, Minnesota, and the Dakota territories. (Born in Pepin.)

Thornton Wilder (1897 - 1975)  One of America's favorite playwrights, Wilder won the Pulitzer Prize for "Our Town" and again for "The Skin of Our Teeth." (Born in Madison.)

Enjoy a good book today, from one of our local Wisconsin authors!