STOLEN with Ann-Helen Laestadius (Virtual)

Based on real events, the award-winning novel Stolen follows a young indigenous woman, daughter of Sámi reindeer herders in Sweden, as she struggles to defend her family’s herd and culture amidst xenophobia, climate change, and a devious hunter whose targeted kills are considered mere theft in the eyes of the law. Part coming-of-age story, part love song to a disappearing natural world, and part electrifying countdown to a dramatic resolution—Stolen is a searing depiction of a forgotten part of Sweden. 

Virtual: $5 non-members and members. Admission price will be deducted from your signed copy of the book with purchase. REGISTER HERE. 

Copies of Stolen are available for purchase through the Mark Twain Store; proceeds benefit The Mark Twain House & Museum. Books will be shipped after the event. We regret that we are NOT able to ship books outside the United States as it is cost-prohibitive to do so. 

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: 

Ann-Helén Laestadius is an author and journalist from Kiruna, Sweden. She is Sámi and of Tornedalian descent, two of Sweden’s national minorities. In 2016, Laestadius was awarded the prestigious August Prize for Best Young Adult and Children’s Novel for Ten Past One, for which she was also awarded Norrland’s Literature Prize. Stolen is her first adult novel and was named Sweden’s Book of the Year. 

 ABOUT THE MODERATORS: 

Tiffany Quade M.A.Ed, Sami diaspora, a descendant of Southern Sami, grew up along the Northern, icy shores of Lake Superior.  Tiffany holds a BFA degree in Art Education and an M.A.Ed in Education, Academic Technology.  She is a passionate art educator who works in higher education integrating media arts into the learning process as a course designer and instructional designer.  She also serves on the advisory board for the Sami Cultural Center of North America, where it brings her great joy to learn and connect with her cultural heritage and serve her community to support the revitalization and sustainability of indigenous culture, Sami language and culture. 

 Laurel Sanders is a longtime board member of the Sami Cultural Center of North America. Now semi-retired after coordinating after-school programs, she works as an exhibit creator for the local children’s museum. She has created and coordinated murals painted scenery, and taught art in schools and programs. She currently works with both the fingerweaving and pattern band weaving practiced by the Sami and Nordic people. She lives in Duluth, Minnesota. 

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 Programs at The Mark Twain House & Museum are made possible in part by support from CT Humanities; the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development, Office of the Arts; Ensworth Charitable Foundation, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee; the Greater Hartford Arts Council’s United Arts Campaign; The Hartford; The Mark Twain Foundation; The National Endowment for the Humanities; and Travelers.