NEWBERY AWARD WINNING AUTHOR CHRISTOPHER PAUL CURTIS IN DETROIT AREA APPEARANCE, Thursday November 8th


The Book Beat is proud to present Christopher Paul Curtis reading and signing his latest book Elijah of Buxton on Thursday, November 8, 2007 from 7:00-8:30 PM at the Berkley High School Auditorium located at 2325 Catalpa (at 11 ½ mile just west of Coolidge) in Berkley, Michigan. This signing and talk is presented by Book Beat and Berkley High School. Please call 248-968-1190 to reserve books or for more information.

Christopher Paul Curtis will be a special guest on the "Detroit Today" show on WDET- 101.9 FM on Thursday, Nov 8th between 11:20 AM and 12:00 noon. Curtis made an outstanding debut in children’s literature with The Watsons Go to Birmingham—1963. His second novel, Bud, Not Buddy, is the first book ever to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award.

His latest book, Elijah of Buxton, is about a young boy born into freedom in Buxton, Canada , a settlement of runaway slaves about one hour from the border of Detroit. Part of the books action occurs in historical Detroit. It is perhaps the best Curtis novel yet, a master storyteller who is at the peak of his game. Evocative, heart- wrenching, and hilarious, Elijah of Buxton is an unforgettable testament to the power of hope.

In a recent interview in The Detroit Free Press: Christopher said, “I have always wanted to write about slavery because I think it's such an important part of American history overall and African-American history in particular," Christopher says. "But I think it would be so hard to do -- to write from the point of view of a slave -- because I can't imagine what that person went through. Even as an author, I can't imagine what it would feel like not to have freedom of thought or movement, to have your children be owned by someone else. ... I really could not imagine how the enslaved person would have to crush their own spirit in order to live."

Praise for ELIJAH OF BUXTON
by Christopher Paul Curtis

“This is Curtis’s best novel yet, and no doubt many readers, young and old,
will finish and say, ‘This is one of the best books I have ever read.’”
— Kirkus, starred review

“Many readers drawn to the book by humor will find themselves, at times,
on the edges of their seats in suspense and, at others, moved to tears.
A fine, original novel from a gifted storyteller.”
— Booklist, starred review

“This arresting, surprising novel of reluctant heroism is about nothing less than nobility.” — The Horn Book, starred review

“Curtis’s talent for dealing with painful periods of history
with grace and sensitivity is as strong as ever.”
— School Library Journal, starred review

“Here’s a pre-Civil War history lesson wrapped in an adventure story.”
— USA Today

“Curtis is a genius storyteller...”
—Detroit Free Press

“[Elijah of Buxton is] his finest work yet in this powerful and important novel”
—Buffalo News

“Elijah of Buxton is sure to become a classic—for readers of all ages.”
— BookPage

“Like Elijah Freeman, readers are destined to grow up with this novel. Also like Elijah, readers will come to value the strong connection between sacrifice and Hope.”
— Grand Rapids Press

“There are storytellers, and then there are Storytellers; it’s no surprise that Christopher Paul Curtis, winner of numerous awards for his fiction (including the prestigious Newbery Medal),
qualifies for that capital letter. It is, as always, an honor and a pleasure to lose oneself
in one more mesmerizing tale from him.”
— www.kidsreads.com

“You can't predict how the adventure will turn out, but in the ending, Curtis effectively
balances realism and hope. Elijah of Buxton looks at America's shameful history of
slavery with a fresh, fascinating perspective.”
— Columbus Dispatch

About the Author:

Born in Flint, Michigan, Christopher Paul Curtis spent his first 13 years after high school on the assembly line of Flint’s historic Fisher Body Plant # 1. His job entailed hanging car doors, and it left him with an aversion to getting into and out of large automobiles—particularly big Buicks.

Curtis’s writing—and his dedication to it—has been greatly influenced by his family members, particularly his wife, Kaysandra. With grandfathers like Earl “Lefty” Lewis, a Negro Baseball League pitcher, and 1930s bandleader Herman E. Curtis, Sr., of Herman Curtis and the Dusky Devastators of the Depression, it is easy to see why Christopher Paul Curtis was destined to become an entertainer.

“To me the highest accolade comes when a young reader tells me, ‘I really liked your book.’ The young seem to be able to say ‘really’ with a clarity, a faith, and an honesty that we as adults have long forgotten. That is why I write.”—Christopher Paul Curtis

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Tuesday, November 13, 2007 from 4:00-7:00 PM at The Community House, 380 South Bates Street, Birmingham call 248-644-5832 for info

*Shop for children' books, puppets and holiday gifts

*Books for preschoolers through teens

*Meet Michigan authors who will personally autograph your books

*Relax and enjoy light refreshments as you shop

BRING A FRIEND!

Visit Community House for more information.

CHILDREN"S AUTHORS & ILLUSTRATORS ATTENDING INCLUDE:

JIM BENTON, cartoonist and humorist, is the creator of two successful chapter book series, Franny K Stein Mad Scientist for ages 7-10 years and the New York Times bestseller series, Dear Dumb Diary for ages 8-13 yars. These books feature laugh-out-loud humor that speaks directly to kids. Mr. Benton receives praise from Scholastic publishing to The Wall Street Journal. http://www.jimbenton.com

JEAN ALICIA ELSTER is a lawyer and children’s writer. In her contemporary fiction Joe Joe in the City” series her young character gains strength and self esteem through heading and listening to stories of AfricanAmerican istory. These stories enable Joe Joe to make the decisions that resolve difficult situations in his own life. The books are aimed at readers 6-10 years old. Books in this enriching series include: Just Call Me Joe Joe, I’ll Do the Right Thing, I Have a Dream, Too! and I’ll Fly My Own Plane.
http://biography.jrank.org/pages/415/ElsterJeanAlicia1953.html

TRACY GALLUP, artist, doll maker and now a writer, has taken her doll making techniques to new heights, photographing her three dimensional characters to illustrate her poetic natural wonder books. Stone Crazy, Shell Crazy, Tree Crazy and Snow Crazy are true little gems and great gift books for all ages. http://www.tracygallup.com

RHONDA GOWLER GREENE, a former teacher, has written over a dozen picture books with bouncy verses, rhyming texts, and cumulative tale formats. Her stories beg to be read aloud. 3-8 year olds will enjoy these tales. Barnyard Song and The Beautiful World That God Made are among her best. Barnyard Song received a 2004 “Michigan Reads” Award. http://rhondagowlergreene.com

KATHE KOJA is the author of six realist young adult novels featuring creative, independent minded protagonists facing the challenges of contemporary teenage life. For readers 13 and up, her books include Straydog, Buddha Boy (winner of the International Reading Association Book Award), and her newest novel, Kissing the Bee. http://KatheKoja.com

ROBERT A. LYTLE is a Rochester author of juvenile and young adult books. Teenagers fish, swim, boat, flirt and solve mysteries that could only take place in the beautiful areas surrounding Mackinac Island. Pete and his friends help the local police catch “the bad guys” in the four book series including Mackinac Passage: Mystery at Round Island Light. His award winning, A Pitch In Time, tells a Civil War time travel adventure. It combines the history of baseball with the social and political topics of the era including the Underground Railroad. www.edcopublishing.com

RONALD MEYER is a former newspaper photographer turned author. Readers get to experience many of life’s lessons with Freddy and his fox family in the photographic Tale of Freddy Fox. Mr. Meyer and his wife, Diana, have just completed another fictional story based upon factual cougar information called Casey Cougar. These books are family stories for all ages. Young adult or beginning photographers will find Nature Is Your Studio very helpful. http://naturesbeautyphotography.com

CAROL McCLOUD’s Have You Filled a Bucket Today?, A Guide to Daily Happiness for Kids is filled with “golden rule” examples simple enough for all ages to understand. Families and teachers delight in using the bucket filling metaphor to support positive attitudes and actions while discouraging bucket dipping behaviors, rudeness or bullying. She offers seminars and workshops on turning bucket filling behaviors into daily habits.http://www.bucketfillers101.com

DENISE RODGERS is known as The Poetry Lady who presents the joy of reading and writing poetry to children in school and library settings. Her poetry has been included in two collections edited by Children’s Poet Laureate, Jack Prelutsky. She has written two collections of verses, one wacky, A Little Bit of Nonsense, and the other whimsical, Great Lakes Rhythm and Rhyme. Children ages 6-11 will love the sounds of the language. http://thepoetrylady.com

WONG HERBERT YEE has delighted readers with endearing characters, rhyming stories and lighthearted illustrations since his 1992 debut, Eek! There’s a Mouse in the House. His over fifteen titles include Fireman Small (a Parent’s Choice Gold Award Winner), Tracks in the Snow, Who Likes Rain, and his newest: Abracadabra! Magic with Mouse and Mole. His books are written for ages 3-8 years old.
http://hometown.aol.com/wongherbertyee/whyhomepage.html

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Wednesday, November 7th GROSSE POINTE LIBRARY PRESENTS AUTHOR JACK GANTOS

Award winning author of Rotten Ralph, Joey Pigza and Jack Henry Books will appear at Pierce Middle School Auditorium on Wednesday, November 7th at 7 PM. Pierce Middle School is located at 15430 Kercheval Ave. Grosse Pointe Park, MI. FREE admission! Mr. Gantos is known nationally for his educational creative writing and literature presentations to students and teachers.Visit the author's cool "Read or Rot" website at JACKGANTOS.COM Book Beat will be selling books for this event. Call us at 248-968-1190 or stop by soon to reserve some autographed books.

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Monday, November 12 Meet Children's Author Alan Silberberg at Pierce Elementary School

This event will be held in the Multi-purpose room, Pierce Elementary School, 1829 Pierce Street in Birmingham, MI. Alan Silberberg is the autor of Pond Scum -- an ecological adventure full of fantasy and humor. A story of friendship, loyalty and the relationship between humans and all living things. Alan Silberberg is a cartoonist and master storyteller who has written for Nickelodean, the Disney Channel, FOX, and PBS. Visit his website at ALANSILBERBERG.COM This is sure to be a fun-filled event! Admission is FREE and open to all.

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Book Beat Reading Reading Group discussion: BARTLEBY THE SCRIVENER and BENITO CERENO by Herman Melville, Meeting: Wednesday, November 28th, 7:00 PM at Gayles Chocolates, Royal Oak

Join us at Gayles Chocolates in Royal Oak, November 28th at 7:00 PM, for a discussion on two great short works by the American master Herman Melville. Bartleby the Scrivener is one of the most influential short stories ever written. Benito Cereno is a novella about a slave rebellion on board a Spanish ship in 1799. This will be our last meeting of 2007.

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In the Book Beat Gallery:

November 1- December 31st, Detroit Photography Group

This exhibition presents a selection of recent photographs by Detroit area photographers. This group show includes over a dozen active local photographers presenting their work. Most of the photographers have been gathering for the past several years at meetings hosted by Book Beat and Bill Rauhauser. Some of the photographers include; Gene Meadows, Bill Rauhauser, Chuck Cloud, David Griffith, Marilyn Zimmerman, Bob Mosher, Eric Smith, Vincent Fregonara, Rick Lieder, Barry Roth, Carla Anderson, and Mary Quinn. The exhibition will continue through December 2007.