Jane Kurtz is an award-winning children's book author who spent most of her childhood in Ethiopia.

She has helped found Ethiopia Reads, a nonprofit organization that has planted sixty libraries for children in Ethiopia, including a model school library in each of the country's 11 regions during 2011-2012.

Jane Kurtz will be at the Sioux Center Library to sign her published books, including Lanie, Girl of the Year 2010 for American Girl. Books will be available for purchase.

She will be speaking at the Living Water Community Church (1005 8th Street SE) at 7:00pm in Orange City, also on April 11th. She will be sharing about her passion for reading and literacy in Ethiopia.

Freewill donations will be accepted at both events to plant schools in Ethiopia for rural families eager for education and books.