Join debut novelist Ann K. Howley in the shop as she discusses her new novel The Memory of Cotton.
About the Book
Fifteen-year old Shelby’s life has been spiraling out of control since her little brother died and her parents divorced. She gets in fights at school, lashes out at her mother, and can’t find a way to pull herself out of her self-centered vortex of anger, fear, and grief. When Shelby inadvertently finds her great grandfather’s Ku Klux Klan robe and a cryptic message embroidered in a family quilt, Shelby and her conflicted, gay, best friend Darrin drive traumatized Grandma to her hometown in North Carolina to help her make amends with the past. But the murderous secret Grandma divulges is only half the truth, and after the teens cleverly piece together other parts of the mystery, they confront her and demand to know what happened. The unexpected truth that she reveals about what Shelby’s great grandfather and the Ku Klux Klan did in 1956 shocks the kids and alters the trajectory of their lives.
2022 American Fiction Award Finalist, Family Saga category
Advance Praise
“I was hooked from the first page. Ann K. Howley’s writing is beautiful and the story is well crafted. She has drawn three dimensional characters and painted a background that is mysterious, visual, and relatable. The message of the book is exceptional. Kids need to know about the lesser known prejudices and racist views of the Ku Klux Klan. This is a YA book that should be read in schools.” –Carrie Lee Wilson, screenwriter
“The Memory of Cotton explores relevant issues in an engaging way for teens. The book balances heavy, discussion-worthy topics with small bits of comedic relief and wisdom-filled quotations. Her flawed characters are both relatable and believable. The best YA books are those that engage young readers and make them think critically about its plot and characters; The Memory of Cotton does just that.” –Anne DeGerolamo, middle level English Language Arts teacher
“Ann K. Howley takes readers on a surprising, heart-wrenching, and often humorous journey that addresses a part of history that is sometimes being silenced. A powerful and relatable story, The Memory of Cotton will prompt serious discussion on timely and sensitive issues.” –Anna Marie Gire, owner of Women’s Independent Press and founder of The Authors’ Zone
About the Author
Ann K. Howley is the author of the award-winning memoir, Confessions of a Do-Gooder Gone Bad and is a contributor to the HerStories Project anthology, So Glad They Told Me: Women Get Real About Motherhood. She writes for Pittsburgh Parent Magazine and her work was awarded the Silver Award from the Parenting Media Association in 2017 and 2019. She won the 1st Place Prize for Nonfiction in the 2015, 2016 and 2019 Pennwriters Writing Contests. Her articles appear in publications nationwide, including skirt! Magazine, Bicycle Times Magazine, and the Pittsburgh Post Gazette. A popular speaker, she has conducted workshops in cities across the country and hosts weekend writing retreats for aspiring authors.
The Memory of Cotton is her debut novel.