New local book by Barbara Humes

There is a new local book hot off the press called “Mush, You Huskies, Mush!” Author Barbara Humes and her husband, Bill, were longtime Orcas Island residents and founders and owners of Warm Valley Farm (50-plus years!) after having homesteaded near a little town in Alaska’s Kenai Peninsula called Hope, which is the setting of the book. The main character is an 11-year-old boy named David whose family moves from a predictable California life to Alaska’s isolated wilderness, and the book has elements of historical fiction and dog sledding adventure based on Barbara’s experiences with her family in and around the Hope area in the 1940s. Its audience is kids aged 9-13 years old.

Barbara and Bill were close friends with their neighbors across the street, Bob and Maria Nutt of Warm Valley Orchard. After Barbara died in 2012, the manuscript sat in Bob’s shop for many years. This past January, he resurrected it and asked local blogger and Life on Orcas Island author Edee Kulper if she would edit and publish it. Kulper had recently helped local writer and painter Frank Loudin publish two books of his stories (“Yarns” and “Christmas Yarns”), and she was happy to manage the project. “Mush, You Huskies, Mush!” is now available as a hardcover, softcover and e-book on all the major online book sellers.

There will be a book unveiling on Wednesday, Sept. 17, which would be Barbara’s 105th birthday, in downtown Eastsound at The Dragonfly Coffee House. Anyone and everyone is welcome to drop in from 4-6 p.m. for a warm drink, refreshments and the chance to posthumously honor Barbara’s memory. Book purchases can be made with cash, check or Venmo. If you are unable to make it to the unveiling, copies will be available at the fall farmers market at the public school cafeteria from Oct. 4 to Nov. 22. They are currently being considered for use in local fifth-grade classes as well. Look out for upcoming library events and book talks!