BOOK BEAT PRESENTS THREE WOMEN AUTHORS (TWO LOCAL ) OF YOUNG ADULT FICTION AT THE OAK PARK LIBRARY
The Book Beat presents a program of three strong women writers of young adult fiction at the Oak Park Library on Sunday, October 14th from 2:00 - 3:30 P.M. The authors will be Kathe Koja, Helen Frost and Sarah Miller. All three have newly published books they will be presenting and discussing. Kathe Koja is a resident of Berkley, Michigan and Sarah Miller is a resident of Romeo, Michigan. The Oak Park library is located at 14200 Oak Park Blvd., (9 1/2 mile, just West of Coolidge). For more information, or to preview or reserve books, please call Book Beat at 248-968-1190.
About the Authors:
Kathe Koja is the author of many notable books for young adults including Going Under, Talk and The Blue Mirror, an ALA Best Book for Young adults. Her newest book is Kissing the Bee, a novel of rare depth and stark honesty that will draw readers in from the very first page. From her online blog Kathe comments:
"For me, there is nothing so satisfying to write about than a trio of characters, that push-me-pull-you tension between three people, where alliances shift, closeness ebbs or rises, a hierarchy develops (and shatters) (or not), and so on. It’s an elastic configuration where just about anything can happen, and Kissing the Bee is pure triangle." Katehe Koja lives in the Detroit area with her husband, photographer Rick Lieder and their son. Visit Kathe Koja's Blog and website to learn more.
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Helen Frost writes books for children, teens and adults. Helen will present her newest book The Braid, an amazing and award winning novel about the destiny of two Scottish sisters told in poetic verse. Set in the 1850s, it deals with serious topics and themes that will resonate with todays teens. The Braid has recieved starred reviews from Publisher's Weekly, Kirkus, Reviews, Booklist and School Library Journal. She is the author of Keesha's House, a Michael L. Printz honor Book and an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, and Spinning Through the Universe, as well as numerous works of non-fiction and poetry. Visit her website at Helen Frost: Poet, Playwright and Children's Writer. Helen lives in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Read a School Library Journal interview with the author at: Gentle Frost.
"The braid not only symbolizes the bond between the sisters ... but also nods to Frost's form here, the Celtic knot, which she employs seamlessly. This brief, memorable book spans two years, several deaths, first love and the stigma attached to unwed mothers, while also conveying the resolve of one family to survive and to preserve hope." Ages 12-up. -- Publishers Weekly, starred review.
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Sarah Miller is a young author from Romeo, Michigan. She will present her novel, Miss Spitfire: Reaching Helen Keller. Her novel tells the gripping and fascinating story of Annie Sullivan, the famous teacher of Helen Keller. Newbery Medal winner Richard Peck noted, "Miss Spitfire is high drama about how language unlocks theworld."
"To read Sarah Miller's Miss Spitfire with your daughter or your son is to discover in a fresh, new way the miracle that brought together two of history's most brilliant and stubborn women. What an amazing, revealing book. It's definitely not for kids only!"
~ Jacquelyn Mitchard, author of The Deep End of the Ocean
"In this debut novel, Miller departs from the known Keller story, imagining instead the emotional terrain of Keller's teacher, Annie Sullivan. . . . Miller goes well beyond history. She delves into the hearts and minds of her subjects, creating realistic, believable characters. The Kellers' love mingled with despair, Annie's loneliness and her terror of failure, and Helen's frustration and the overwhelming joy of her breakthrough are palpable. Miller brings history to life." --VOYA
Sarah Miller works at an independent children's bookstore and her website is at: SarahMillerBooks.com. Miss Spitfire is her first published novel.
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