Jouko Halmekoski started by writing an autobiography which consists of small stories about his life. In the book he also talks about his father, Hemmi, who was killed in the
Winter War. Hemmi's body has never been found. Jouko's first book
Sotaorvon vala was published in 2006. Halmekoski's second books tells about his life and growing up as a war orphan. Book also examines how Finnish countryside and lifestyle has changed throughout the years.
Kirkkonikkarin sydämellä was published in 2008. For his latest work, Jouko has interviewed and collected memories of 24 Finnish orphan children sold in an auction "huutolaislapsi". Huutolaislapsi (auction child) was a child (often orphans or a juveniles whose parents were not able to look after them) auctioned and sold as a slave in marketplaces all over Finland. This child practice started in 1840s ended around 1945. Jouko has collected auction children's stories in his book
Orjamarkkinat – Huutolaislasten kohtaloita Suomessa (Slave markets – auction children's destinies in Finland). == Publications ==