Award-winning author Nancy Farmer, a master of fiction for young adults, spoke about her path to becoming a writer before an audience of book lovers on October 6. Farmer is known for taking on difficult subjects that draw on her expertise as a scientist and global citizen in books that inform and empower young readers.

With humor and her trademark storytelling skill, Farmer described the influences of colorful characters in her Arizona hometown, from her parents and the local librarian to teachers and classmates, as well as years as a lab researcher in Africa. She also signed books, including the award-winning The House of the Scorpion and its recent sequel, The Lord of Opium.

Farmer came to Minnesota for Book Week, CEHD’s longest-running signature event, dating to the 1940s. Learn more about her books and watch for highlights of her visit to be posted in coming weeks at Book Week.