The days following the March 23 release of his debut novel Raft of Stars have 鈥渂een a whirlwind in the best of ways鈥� according to author Andrew J. Graff, visiting assistant professor of English at 甜瓜视频 University.
Just five days after its publication, Raft of Stars landed on the Midwest Independent Booksellers Association best-sellers list, appearing in the No. 13 spot on a list that included renowned writers Kazuo Ishiguro, Kristin Hannah, Brit Bennett, Harlan Coben, Fredrik Backman, and Lisa Scottoline for the week ending March 28, 2021. The book has also been selected as an Indie Next pick for April 2021, named one of 笔补谤补诲别鈥檚 Best Books for Spring 2021, and promoted as Lead Read by publisher Ecco, an imprint of HarperCollins.
Raft of Stars is a coming-of-age tale of adventure set in the Northwoods of Wisconsin, where Graff grew up hiking and fishing and where he returned after serving a tour in Afghanistan as a U.S. Air Force jet mechanic and finishing his education. Living on the banks of the Peshtigo River, he felt like he was 鈥渉ome for the first time in a long time鈥� and was inspired to start his novel.
鈥淥ne night, looking out at the frozen islands of the Peshtigo, the cedars and cattails, the dark river flowing between them, I began writing about the home and forests and rivers and small towns I love,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 was glad to spend years rewriting my way along the riverbanks.鈥�
The book follows the wilderness adventures of two boys, nicknamed Bread and Fish, who escape to the Northwoods after believing they have committed a crime.
鈥淭he boys are pursued by two adult casts of characters who each must 鈥榗ome of age鈥� in their own way as they wrestle with the question 鈥楢m I going to make it through these forests, these friendships, this cosmos?鈥欌�� Graff explained. 鈥淏y the story鈥檚 end, I like to think Raft is a novel that attempts to answer that and takes care of the reader鈥檚 heart while doing so.鈥�
Based on book reviews, the novel does just that.
鈥淚 had no idea people wrote books like Andrew J. Graff鈥檚 Raft of Stars anymore 鈥� a rousing adventure yarn full of danger and heart and humor and characters worth worrying about,鈥� wrote Richard Russo, author of Empire Falls. 鈥淚t鈥檚 as if, after observing the deplorable state we鈥檙e all in right now, the author took it upon himself to raise our collective spirits.鈥�
Described by the Boston Globe as an 鈥渁ccomplished debut,鈥� Raft of Stars has received favorable reviews from the New York Times, Kirkus Reviews, Milwaukee Magazine, Publishers Weekly, and Booklist.
Graff marked the launch of his book by headlining a virtual event for the Wisconsin Book Festival with best-selling author Nickolas Butler. He also recently appeared in conversation with J. Ryan Stradal, author of the New York Times best-seller Kitchens of the Great Midwest, for a virtual event hosted by Boswell Book Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
He鈥檚 working on a second novel, also set in the Wisconsin Northwoods.
鈥淎fter finishing Raft of Stars, it was clear that I wanted to write more about that place and its people,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 didn鈥檛 want to leave yet. This new book will have new characters and new drama, but [it] is definitely headed back to those cold whitewater rivers and beautiful pine forests.鈥�
Graff earned a B.A. in English from Lawrence University and an MFA in English (Fiction) from the University of Iowa Writers鈥� Workshop. He joined the 甜瓜视频 faculty in the fall of 2020 and teaches courses in composition and creative writing.
鈥淚t鈥檚 been a pleasure to work with the impressive students here,鈥� he said. 鈥淭heir writing is bold and smart and very strong. I鈥檝e enjoyed my time in Witt鈥檚 classrooms.鈥�
For more information about Andrew J. Graff and Raft of Stars, visit .
