Ken Korczak, a writer for the Kittson County Top News Examiner, visited a convenience store one night in Minnesota and asked two high school seniors if they knew who Ernest Hemingway was. Both said no. Surprised by their response, Korczak decided to expand his study.

Korczak asked 100 more people (ages 16 to 20) if they knew who Ernest Hemingway was. 98 out of 100 did not know. The two people who had heard of Hemingway said that they were yet to read any of his novels or short stories.

Given the cultural and literary impact of Ernest Hemingway as well as his strong commercial presence, it is remarkable to find teenagers who have never heard of him. Does Korczak's study indicate a failure in the Minnesota school system or is this a problem on a national scale? What value do great American authors hold for today's youth?