The Chippewa Valley Book Festival is closing out its 2026 run in Eau Claire this weekend, and one of its featured sessions put Hmong American stories at the center.
Author and educator Pao Lor spoke to an audience of all ages on Oct. 22 at the L.E. Phillips Memorial Public Library about his new book 'Bamboo Son,' following his 2021 work 'Modern Jungles.' The session, titled 'Sharing a Hmong American Experience,' was part of the festival's effort to draw attention to diverse narratives and the cultural heritage of the local Hmong community.
Lor said his goal at events like this is for each audience member to take away something new — information or a perspective they can share with family and friends.
Pa Thao, a member of the Eau Claire Area School District board and founder of Power Up Eau Claire, introduced the session. She said books like 'Bamboo Son' help preserve a collective history while inviting readers of all backgrounds to better understand displacement, identity, resilience and belonging.
Festival programming continues through Saturday, Oct. 24 at the library, 400 Eau Claire St.
