Explora Books Showcases the Setterington Family Series at the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair
Explora Books will present the Setterington Family series by Donna Gene Stankey and co-author Ramona Hammel at the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair (BIBF), held June 17–21 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. The series offers a multi-volume portrayal of American pioneer life and family legacy across generations.
Frontier Legacy of Rate
Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, 21st May 2026 – Rate opens on a bitter December night in 1893 at the Setterington homestead near Elsie, Michigan, where Millie, a Canadian-born farmer, waits through the cold for the birth of a son his wife Mina neither wants nor welcomes. From this quietly charged opening, Donna Gene Stankey builds an intimate portrait of rural Midwestern life: its relentless labor, marital tensions, and a father’s stubborn hope that something of himself will endure into the next generation. Grounded in decades of family history and careful research, Rate functions as both a personal family chronicle and a vivid record of settler life on the American frontier.
The Lad Called Rate follows Ralph as he comes into his own through the daily work of the farm—its animals, seasons, and unrelenting demands—in a coming-of-age story rooted in heritage and belonging. Stankey and Hammel render his gradual self-discovery with patience and warmth, tracing a young man finding his footing in a world that asks everything of him.
Generations of Farming Legacy
The Mischief Maker sees Rate trade the open fields for the streets of Elsie, with his dog Bruno never far behind. The pull between his rural upbringing and town life creates both tension and tenderness, as Rate carries the instincts and loyalties of a farm boy into an unfamiliar world. Stankey and Hammel handle this transitional chapter of his life with precision and care.
Forever a Farmer brings the saga to its conclusion, with Rate facing the full cost of keeping a family farm alive across generations. It is a story about what it means to inherit not only land, but responsibility—and about the quiet determination of those who choose to stay when leaving would be easier.
Stankey was herself a Setterington—the third generation to farm the land outside Elsie, Michigan, which she spent decades documenting. Her co-author and daughter, Ramona Hammel, was shaped by the same rural inheritance: first on her father’s farm in Wayland, Michigan, and later on her husband’s farm near Hudson. Following Donna’s passing, Ramona has carried their shared work forward, ensuring the Setterington story reaches the readers it deserves.
Setterington Legacy at BIBF
Readers and industry professionals attending the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair are encouraged to visit the Explora Books exhibit booth 5A.B14 at the CNCC in Beijing. Attendees will have the opportunity to discover the complete Setterington Family series, explore special event features, and connect with the authors’ legacy in person.
All four books are available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major book retailers.
About Explora Books
Explora Books is a book marketing firm located in the heart of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The company specializes in self-publishing and marketing, taking pride in its exhaustive research and creative strategies that provide wider avenues for aspiring authors to gain recognition for their works. Explora Books aims to guide authors through the complexities of self-publishing, offering convenient solutions to navigate this process. The firm fosters and redefines creativity and innovation, setting new industry standards. Explora Books is dedicated to empowering authors globally.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the Setterington Family series?
The Setterington Family series is a multi-volume historical fiction collection by Donna Gene Stankey and co-author Ramona Hammel. It explores generations of rural American pioneer life. In addition, it focuses on family relationships, farming traditions, and life challenges in Michigan during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
2. Who wrote the Setterington Family series?
The series was written by Donna Gene Stankey with co-author Ramona Hammel. Stankey drew inspiration from her own family history and farming background. In addition, Hammel continued the project to preserve and share the Setterington family legacy with readers.
3. What is the first book in the Setterington Family series?
The first book in the series is Rate. It begins in 1893 at the Setterington homestead near Elsie, Michigan. In addition, it introduces the family’s struggles, relationships, and hopes through the early life of the central character, Rate.
4. What themes are explored in the Setterington Family series?
The series explores themes such as family legacy, farming life, personal responsibility, resilience, and generational change. In addition, it highlights rural Midwestern life and the emotional connection people have to land, heritage, and community.
5. What is The Lad Called Rate about?
The Lad Called Rate follows Ralph “Rate” Setterington as he grows up through the daily demands of farm life. The story focuses on his personal development and his connection to the land. In addition, it highlights the lessons learned from family and rural traditions.
6. How does The Mischief Maker continue the story?
The Mischief Maker follows Rate as he moves from farm life to the town of Elsie. In addition, the book explores the tension between rural values and new experiences. It also shows how Rate adapts to life beyond the family farm.
7. What is the focus of Forever a Farmer?
Forever a Farmer centers on the responsibility of maintaining a family farm across generations. In addition, the novel explores sacrifice, determination, and emotional commitment. It highlights the effort needed to preserve both land and family heritage.
8. When and where will the Setterington Family series be showcased?
The series will be showcased at the 2026 Beijing International Book Fair. The event takes place from June 17–21 at the China National Convention Center in Beijing. In addition, Explora Books will feature the collection during the international publishing event.
9. Who is presenting the Setterington Family series at the book fair?
Explora Books, a Vancouver-based publishing and marketing company, is presenting the series at the fair. In addition, the company supports authors through self-publishing and global book promotion services.
10. Where can readers purchase the Setterington Family books?
The complete Setterington Family series is available through Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and other major book retailers. In addition, readers can access all four books through both online and retail marketplaces.
Company Details
Organization: Explora Books Ltd
Contact Person: Simon Pratt
Website: https://explorabooks.com/home
Email: Send Email
Contact Number: +16043306795
Address: Jameson Offices, 838 W Hastings St w, Vancouver, BC V6C 0A6, Canada
City: Vancouver
State: British Columbia
Country: Canada
Release Id: 21052645308