2017 Minnesota Book Awards Finalist “This undeniably original book centers on a mystery in a very unique small town. The end result is a gripping read. From the handmade cover to the never ending twists in the story, this book is a deserving finalist.” – Minnesota Book Awards Judge A teacher is murdered in the small town of Copeland, a community secluded by its surrounding forest, and her students, Johnny, who loved her, and his sister, Cot, pursue the killer. Spande’s expansive and genre-bending novel looks deep into the perspectives and lives of the residents of Copeland, a place which holds many more mysteries to be unearthed. Spande is a police and fire 911 dispatcher. The Born and the Made is his first novel. - From the 2017 MN Book Awards website