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As part of the Library of Michigan's 2007 "Michigan Notable Authors Tour," Boisvert will read from her book "Keewaydinoquay: Stories from My Youth" at 6:30 p.m. May 3 at Marguerite deAngeli Branch Library, 921 W. Nepessing St. in Lapeer. The evening will also feature a question-and-answer period and a book signing.

"We're thrilled," said library director Kate Pohjola. "She's the kind of storyteller where you can listen to her read a grocery list."

Told in first person from birth to pre-teen life, the book reflects Peschel's life growing up in an Ojibway community in northern Michigan during the early 1900s with a Native American and white heritage. As close to her own words as possible, her stories span several generations and recount her education in public schools and highlight the role Christianity played in Native American culture during her childhood days. Maintaining traditional customs while living and functioning in a "white" world is also emphasized.

After hearing about Peschel in her early 30s, Boisvert always wanted to meet her. In 1987, she got her wish at age 38 after a friend notified her the Native American was teaching an herbal workshop in Leland. She befriended her and in 1995, Peschel founded the Holy Hill Center in Leland, where Boisvert is currently a trustee.

"It's in order to preserve the ethnobotanical and philosophical teachings she had been gifted with," Boisvert said.

Peschel was a lecturer of ethnobotany and philosophy of the Western Great Lakes Indians at the University of Wisconsin. Her travels included living and teaching in New Zealand, as well as going to Scotland and England. She is also the author of several books, including "BlueBerry: First Fruit of the People."

"She was such an incredible person," the author said.

After Peschel died in 1999, Boisvert wanted people to have the opportunity to meet her through the stories she told. Supported by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, she began the book in 2001. To get it as close to Peschel's words as possible, extensive research was conducted including finding stories through her oral teachings. After a three-year process, the book was finally complete.

"I was surprised at how many people she knew, and her (extensive) knowledge," Boisvert said.

"She had a unique way of expressing her self," she adds. "Most of the book reflects that unique language. It makes people stop and think and contemplate."

Boisvert is currently working on a second book reflecting the adult life of Peschel. However she doesn't expect it to be released until at the earliest late 2008. The book is also supported by Michigan Humanities Council.

"She had a heart as big as the world," she said. "What we're trying to do is share that."

Boisvert attended the University of Michigan as a member of the Residential College and has a bachelor of science degree in sociology with double minors in Native American studies and gerontology from Central Michigan University. She has been married to Robert for 33 years and has one son, Adam.

For more information about the event, call (810) 664-9521 or visit the Web at http://library.lapeer.org.

Jeff Hoard can be reached at (810) 664-0811, Ext. 8127 or jeff.hoard@lapeergroup.com.