The 2025 book Saturday Morning at the Shop by Minnesota author Keenan Jones has roots going back to 1988. "I was five years old at the time," says Jones. "I was living in Gary, Indiana... I just remember going with my brother, my grandfather, going into this shop that was just jam packed with men from the community; pastors, construction workers, just everyday folks... it was just positive, there was laughter, there was smiles."
Saturday Morning at the Shop follows a black child as they experience the happenings at a local barbershop - most of which have little to do with haircare. Colorful illustrations by Ken Daley present the shop as a vibrant place to connect, share, and celebrate. "He knocked it out of the park," says Jones of Daley. "I think that his experiences in the barbershop also came through along with mine."
Jones will be visiting Duluth on Saturday, January 18th. From 1-3pm, you can find him and Saturday Morning at the Shop at Zenith Bookstore in West Duluth. The book is also available at many other booksellers and online.
Minnesota Reads is produced at The North 103.3 with funding provided in part by the Minnesota Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.
