Happy Land
By Dolen Perkins-Valdez
Berkley Books, 2025

Inspired by true post-Civil War North Carolina events, Happy Land tells of the founding of a community of formerly enslaved people in Appalachia and the legacies that endured over generations. An out-of-the-blue contact from her estranged grandmother sends present-day Nikki on a journey of discovery and reconciliation with her family’s history. Learning that her ancestor, Luella, became the queen of Happy Land, Nikki realizes that it is now up to her to protect her family’s land and legacy before they, like so much else, are stolen away.

About the Author
Dolen Perkins-Valdez is The New York Times bestselling author of four novels including Take My Hand, featured at HBF in 2022 and awarded an NAACP Image Award and a Silver Gavel Award from the American Bar Association. She teaches at American University and lives with her family in DC.

Purchase the book
Please help support local independent bookstores by purchasing this book at Browseabout Books, official bookseller of the History Book Festival. Online sources and digital versions are tempting; however, supporting local brick and mortar shops helps to preserve our vibrant main streets. Drop by Browseabout, order books online, or call the store at 302-226-2665. You also may purchase a copy at biblion in Lewes.