The Journey Preserved: Joan Mueller Peters and the Roses of the Valley

Before the Pages

We often wonder about the history inside the books on our shelves, but rarely about the history of the person who wrote them. Today, we're delighted to welcome Joan Mueller Peters, co-author of the powerful book, Katy: The Little Rose from Ukraine, to our "Beyond the Pages" author feature series.

Joan, who wrote the book with her sister Lisa, tells a poignant story of faith and migration. Their book, which is historical fiction, follows little Katy Mueller as she and ten other Swiss German Mennonite families flee political oppression in Ukraine, Russia, and journey to the Dakota Territory. Her fiction is not only entertaining but also deeply reflective, inviting readers to consider how faith and resilience shape everyday life.

The Unfolding of a 150-Year-Old True Story

The inspiration for the Roses of the Valley Series began unexpectedly after the passing of an aunt. Joan and her sister, Lisa, were already bouncing around book ideas, but a cousin's short story about their family's homestead sparked a collaborative journey into genealogy. Their father, a dedicated family historian, had always shared stories about their great-great-grandfather, Christian Mueller, but a genealogy booklet revealed a deeper truth: Christian's two oldest daughters were born in Russia.

This discovery became the core of the story. Joan and Lisa tried to imagine what it would have been like for two young girls to leave their home and travel halfway across the world to a new life. They decided they wanted to tell this incredible true story of their ancestor, Katherina Mueller, through the lens of historical fiction.

Their dedication to history led to a surprising research reveal:

"Our main character, Katy's uncle Andreas Schrag, was sent to America to scout possible resettlement locations a year before the family immigrated. Andreas kept meticulous journals and diaries about his travels. . . . We discovered that Uncle Andreas's actual diary had actually been in the possession of our grandfather, who later donated it to our hometown museum and archives—The Heritage Hall Museum and Archives."

Being able to use the translated diary details gave their writing the authenticity needed to describe the weeks of travel across Russia, Austria, Germany, and England, and the arduous steamship journey aboard the S.S. City of Richmond. The novel meticulously details how these eleven German-Russian families battled the Atlantic Ocean and eventually landed at Castle Garden, New York, before finding a new home in the Dakota Territory. Their book contains resonant themes of faith, perseverance, hard work, and the importance of family.

The Journey from the Classroom to Collaborative Writing

Joan’s love of writing began with a lifelong passion for reading, which led her to become an 8th-grade reading teacher in South Dakota. Historical fiction has always been one of her favorite genres—she recommends acclaimed works like The Nightingale by Kristen Hannah, The Storyteller by Jodi Picoult, and The Quiet Librarian by Allen Eskens.

Her journey into writing began while teaching language arts, where she started writing a short autobiography with her students. That personal project soon blossomed into the collaborative series with her sister, Lisa, who had always had writing a book on her bucket list.

Their unique partnership was crucial in overcoming the common challenges of authorship. A challenging part of writing their first book was the aspect of restarting the original storyline numerous times because new research continued to emerge. Joan notes the value of having a partner: "If one of us got stuck, the other would step up to help keep the writing going. Bouncing ideas off of each other, we were able to keep on track with Katy's story."

Their biggest influences have been their parents. Their father, a teacher and coach, instilled a deep love of history, especially family history, which was the significant reason they wanted to write this story. Their mother was a lover of books and reading who always encouraged them. Joan and Lisa credit their parents’ extraordinary work ethics as the example that helped them push through the difficult times in their writing.

In addition to Katy: The Little Rose from Ukraine, they have published the sequel, Katy of Rose Valley: A New Beginning, and are currently having a children's picture book illustrated based on their mother's childhood suffering from rheumatic fever.

Life Beyond the Pages

What does a writer do when she's not immersed in historical narratives? Joan lives in Hartford, SD, and teaches at West Central Middle School. She is a dedicated family person whose favorite thing to do is watch her three grandchildren participate and compete in all their extracurricular activities.

Joan and Lisa chose Masthof for their publishing home after their cousin, Dale Yoder, successfully used the press for his children's book series. They also relied heavily on Masthof-published research material for their books, confirming it was the "perfect fit." 

Ultimately, their work is driven by a powerful commitment to legacy:

"I want to know who my ancestors are. I want to remember them. I want to tell their stories. I don't want them to diminish and fade away into the past."

Joan Mueller Peters' journey, shaped by a commitment to ancestral memory and historical accuracy, is a powerful testament to the value of telling your family's story. Her novel, Katy: The Little Rose from Ukraine, is more than historical fiction; it's a window into the extraordinary courage required to immigrate and settle a new land.

Ready to relive the epic journey of Katy Mueller and the families who settled the Dakota Territory?

Interested in learning more? Start with the first book in the series, Katy: The Little Rose from Ukraine. Share in the adventures and ordeals of a small girl who left everything she ever known for an unknown, unfamiliar but promising future.

Connect with Joan Mueller Peters

Find more of Joan's work and connect with her directly:

• Website: mueller-sisters.com

• Facebook: Mueller Sisters' Writing Adventures

• Instagram: @muellersisterswritingadventure