The 2023 Montana Book Award winner is The Lost Journals of Sacajewea by Debra Magpie Earling. In The Lost Journals of Sacajewea, Author Debra Magpie Earling challenges prevailing historical narratives of Sacajewea. She brings to life a mythologized figure, while casting an unsparing light on the men who brutalized her and re-centering Sacajewea as the arbiter of her own history. Written in lyrical, dreamlike prose, The Lost Journals of Sacajewea is an astonishing work of art and a powerful tale of perseverance—the Indigenous woman’s story that hasn’t been told.

Four honor books were also chosen. Holding Fire by Bryce Andrews chronicles his journey to forge a new path for himself, and to reshape one handgun into a tool for good work. Lookout by Christine Byl is set in rural Montana and centers on the duel coming-of-age of a girl and her father amid the natural and cultural forces that shape their family. Man, Underground by Mark Hummel is a fast-paced dark comedy, that will leave readers contemplating both the disruptions and the potential transformative power found in random acts of kindness. Mumblecusser by Allen Morris Jones is a collection of poetry, contemplating late-life fatherhood, aging, and mortality.

All these titles are available at the library. The Montana Book Award was founded by the Friends of Missoula Public Library in 2001 and winners are selected by a committee of individuals representing areas throughout Montana.

Spring programs are now under way at the library. Some of our programs have changed and we altered the time a bit to allow kids to get home before dark. Beginning March 4th, the STEAM program is back every Monday, except the last Monday of the month. There will be board games, art, and engineering. STEAM will be open to all ages, but children under 5 must be accompanied by an adult. Tuesday will be Story Time from 10:30 to 11:00 a.m. This program is for preschool and younger children. Hangout for grades 5-8 will be Tuesdays from 3:45-4:45 p.m. Wednesday will be Home School Hour from 1:30-2:30 p.m. This is a family led program, so if we don’t have volunteers to host the program, there won’t be one that week. We are happy to provide supplies for programs. If you would like to sign up to host, you can find a google doc signup sheet on our Facebook page, or you can contact Emily at the library. Teen Scene for teenagers 13 to 18 is every other Wednesday from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m. The next one will be March 6th. Thursdays will be LEGO Club from 3:45-4:45 p.m. Fridays will be Movie Day. We will show a family friendly movie from 2:00 to 3:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome to join us. We do ask that no children under 5 attend movies without an adult. We provide snacks and drinks at all after school programs.