PW: Q & A with Margi Preus

“Newbery Honor winner Margi Preus writes books inspired by her love of the outdoors, her family, and the stories they share. Windswept, Preus’s newest middle grade fantasy novel, is a whirlwind adventure featuring trolls, magic, a child-snatching wind, and a determined group of “youngers” on a quest to save their siblings. We spoke with Preus about taking care of the planet, Norwegian fairy tale heroines, and reading like a writer.”

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October 29: Louisiana Book Festival

Margi’s headinG to Baton Rouge, Louisiana!

The Louisiana Book Festival offers you a chance to meet exceptional writers, find new books to read, and enjoy thought-provoking presentations. Whether you're young or old, enjoy puzzling over a good mystery, have a thirst for history, can't get enough of poetry, or love to cook up some great Louisiana dishes, our national award winning event has something for every book lover.

Come join the fun on October 29, 2022, in downtown Baton Rouge at the State Library of Louisiana, the State Capitol, the Capitol Park Museum, and nearby locations. The full schedule of programs will be available in mid-October including more details about Margi’s presentation. Learn more at www.louisianabookfestival.org.

August 4-7: Lily Leads the Way at the Festival of Sail

Aug. 4-7, 2022 // Festival of Sail // Lake Superior

With tall ships landing in Two Harbors during the Festival of Sail, it was the perfect weekend to celebrate ships big and small with… Activities! Ice cream! Sailor hats! And books!

During the three-day celebration, Margi read Lily Leads the Way to some pretty enthusiastic young readers at The Bookstore at Fitger’s (Duluth) and Drury Lane Books (Grand Marais). She also stopped by Back Forty Books (Two Harbors) to sign copies with wonderful bookseller Kelli.

The Littlest Voyageur is nominated for a Maude Hart Lovelace Award!

Minnesota Youth Reading Association has nominated The Littlest Voyageur for a Maude Hart Lovelace Award. Margi is so proud to be in such good company! Here are the other amazing Division I nominees:

  • The Best of Iggy by Annie Barrows

  • Coop Knows the Scoop by Taryn Souders  

  • The Lion of Mars by Jennifer L. Holm

  • The Littlest Voyageur by Margi Preus; illustrated by Cheryl Pilgrim

  • Measuring Up by Lily Lamotte; illustrated Ann Xu

  • Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson 

  • Brave Like That by Lindsey Stoddard

  • City Spies by James Ponti

  • Count Me In by Varsha Bajaj 

  • Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly

The Maud Hart Lovelace Book Award is a children's read and vote book award. Its purpose is to encourage recreational reading among school age children. Learn more >

May 21, 2022: Book signing at Zenith Books

Saturday, May 21 2022 11:00am - 1:00pm

Meet-and-Greet best-selling author Margi Preus at Zenith Bookstore. Her new children's book Lily Leads The Way is the story of a little sailboat who has a big burst of determination when a fleet of tall ships needs assistance.

This tale of plucky persistence, illustrated with the splash and sparkle of a summer day on the water, is sure to empower any child to take charge when the time is right. A note from the author, a Newbery Honoree, offers more facts about bridges and boats for curious readers.

Margi Preus wrote the Newbery Honor Book Heart of a Samurai and other novels, including the Enchantment Lake mystery series, The Littlest Voyageur, and Village of Scoundrels. She lives in Duluth, not far from the iconic Lift Bridge, which inspired Lily Leads the Way.