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Lilly Setterdahl of East Moline, Illinois, has released her 13th book: Growing Up in Sweden : In the Shadow of World War II, 168 pages, paperback with 125 illustrations, priced at $11.00, brought out by Fidlar Doubleday, Inc., Davenport , IA.

Lilly has previously authored eleven nonfiction books about Swedes in America and one novel, Maiden of the Titanic (2007). A photo of Growing Up in Sweden is attached to this mail. John E. Norton writes about her latest book: “Lilly Setterdahl’s childhood story is an account of her family’s life in neutral Sweden of World War II, where the threat of war hovered just across their borders with Norway , Finland , and across the straits in Denmark . She intertwines memories of her own neighborhood with the larger story of Sweden ’s efforts to remain free of foreign entanglements, while still offering a secure life to her citizens during very frightening times. It is a delightful read, whether as a Swede, Swedish-American or World War II historian.”

If you missed out on learning about your immigrant parents’ or grandparents’ lives in Sweden , here is your chance to learn from someone else.

Read about Swedish customs, family ties, play, work, school, and community life. Children growing up today will realize that kids can have fun no matter when or where they live.

Growing Up in Sweden is sold during business hours at Midwest Writing Center, E. 2nd Street , Davenport , IA 52801 , and can be ordered directly from the author, lillys@mchsi.com. Locals: Please contact the author about upcoming book signings.

The book can also be purchased at Amazon.

Lilly Setterdahl is the author or coauthor of eleven books of nonfiction, and numerous research articles dealing with the history and experiences of Swedish immigrants. Her major book titles are: Swedes in Moline, Illinois (2003), Minnesota Swedes, two volumes (1996 and 1999), Rockford Swedes (coauthored 1993), and, A Century of Song (1992).

She has chronicled her travels with her husband, Lennart Setterdahl, from coast to coast in the United States , parts of Canada , and Sydney , Australia , in search of Swedish-American archival material and oral histories, resulting in the book I Emigranternas spår: Människor vi mött,1959-1995, which was published in Sweden in 2002. On her frequent trips to Sweden , she is often asked to give presentations about her own and her husband’s work.

In 1989, Kvällsstunden, Västerås , Sweden , published her first historical novel, Banbrytaren, (The Trailblazer) as a serial novel.

She has also authored children’s stories, and is working on a creative nonfiction story, “Growing up in Sweden .”

Lilly is a native of Sweden and an American Citizen. She came to the United States in 1959, with her husband and two small sons. They settled in Cleveland , Ohio , where another son was born. In 1971, the family relocated to East Moline , Illinois , where she still resides.

In 2003, Lilly was recognized by the city of Moline with a plaque and a designated “Lilly Setterdahl Day” ( September 9, 2003 ). She has been honored with awards from the Royal Gustav Adolf Academy , the Swedish Emigrant Institute, the National Swedish Historical Society, the Swedish-America Day committee (Hans Mattson plaque), the Trolle-Ljungby community, and others.

Lilly has three sons and six grandchildren, living in three different countries, Switzerland , Norway , and the United States .

Illinois Ancestors