Author Phyllis Cole-Dai will discuss her book, Beneath the Same Stars, at 9 a.m. Wednesday, September 11, at the Stearns History Museum’s Breakfast Club.

Inspired by actual events surrounding the Dakota War of 1862, the novel is a sensitive portrayal of pioneer Sarah Wakefield, who found herself in the middle of the political and cultural turmoil. The story translates well to today’s political and societal climate on race relations. It also invites people to acknowledge and appreciate cultural differences despite the ever-present social anxiety directing us not to do so.

Cole-Dai of Brookings, S.D., has authored and edited nine books in multiple genres. She began writing on an old manual typewriter as a child and never stopped. Her work explores polarizing events so that we might questions our ideologies and come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of one another.

The Breakfast Club program is free for Stearns History Museum members and is $7 for nonmembers.

Refreshments are available. Please join us for this portrayal of the Dakota War of 1862.