Chris Van Allsburg
Featured Author and Recipient of the 2010 Sterling North's
Excellence in Children's Literature Award

"The Polar Express"

Two-time Caldecott Award-winning illustrator of "The Polar Express" and "Jumangi," Van Allsburg will be presented the Sterling North Award for Excellence in Children's Literature on Saturday, Oct. 23. A Rhode Island artist and author, Van Allsburg will arrive in Edgerton via a 19th Century steam train late Friday afternoon, Oct. 22nd after speaking to Edgerton school children earlier in the day. Van Allsburg will then speak to the public at the Edgerton Performing Arts Center on Saturday, Oct. 23 and sign copies of his books after his presentation.

Linda Barry
Featured Author & Cartoonist

"The Good Times are Killing Me"

A Southern Wisconsin cartoonist who is also the author of "Cruddy," "The Greatest of Marlys," and "100 Demons." Barry is a renowned chronicler of teen angst.

Robert Birmingham
Archeologist and Featured Author

Former Wisconsin state archeologist and is the co-author of the standard book on Wisconsin's Indian mounds.

D.L. Bogdan
Featured Author

"Secrets of the Tudor Court"

A rising young central Wisconsin historical novelist."

Paul Buhle
Featured Author

"Comics in Wisconsin"

Buhle wrote the standard history of comic book artists from the Badger state. His previous work included a graphic history of the Wobblies, the famed "big union" also known as the Industrial Workers of the World.

Bill Christofferson
Featured Author

"Earth Day Founder"

Wisconsin political activist.

John Milton Cooper
Historian and Featured Author

"Woodrow Wilson: A Biography"

Historian for the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Jane Hamilton
Featured Author

"The Book of Ruth"

Award-winning author. Hamilton will read from her latest novel, "Laura Ryder's Masterpiece," on Oct. 23 at the Edgerton Performing Arts Center. One of Oprah's first celebrated writers, Hamilton lives in southern Wisconsin, where she grows apples.

Richard Carlton Haney
Featured Author

"When Is Daddy Coming Home: An American Family During World War II"

Haney published his Wisconsin Historical Society memoir after a distinguished career as a history professor at the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater.

Justin Isherwood
Featured Author

"The Farm West of Mars"

Famed for his tales of rural living, Isherwood is a Plover potato famer and is also the author of "The Book of Plough."

Kathleen Kline
Featured Author

"People of the Sturgeon"

Historian and nature writer.

Faye Ellen Kufahl
Featured Author

"Nutterville... and Other True Stores of Coping with Mental Illness"

Kufahl lives in central Wisconsin. Her memoir about caring for a troubled sister has earned praise.

Michael Perry
Featured Author

"Population 485"

Trio of memoirs, "Coop," "Population 485," and "Truck," have topped the Midwest bestseller lists. Perry is known for his down-to-earth humor and is a former member of the New Auburn volunteer fire department.

Elizabeth Scott
Featured Author

"Living Dean girl"

Up and coming Young Adult writer. Scott's "Living Dead Girl," is much admired by the students of Phil Klamm's Alternative Education Program here in Edgerton.

Kent Stock
Featured Author

"The Final Season"

An Iowa school principal probably best known as the baseball coach for the Norway, Iowa, team portrayed in the film "The Final Season." Kent is the author of the book of the same title.

Sue Troller
Featured Author

"CLUCK: From Jungle to Backyard Chicks"

Troller has been a Wisconsin writer and editor for more than 30 years. Most recently, she has contributed to the print and online versions of "The Capital Times" in Madison. Artist Sue Medaris, who illustrated the new Itchy Cat Press book about the wild variety of chickens, will also talk about the making of the new book. Medaris designs web sites for the University of Wisconsin-Madison.