PATRICIA POLACCO LAUNCHES NEW BOOK AT LOCAL STORE
Saturday, September 26, 2009
1-3 pm
MARSHALL, MICH-- Award winning, beloved children's author and illustrator, Patricia Polacco makes a return engagement to FIRESIDE BOOKS, with the early release of her newest book, January's Sparrow. Fireside Books has the exclusive rights to an advance signing on Sept 26. 1 – 3pm. (Book is scheduled to release to the general public Oct 29.)
This beautifully illustrated book is a depiction of the Crosswhite saga, the story of a fugitive slave family that escaped via the Underground Railroad from Kentucky, in 1844, and settled in Marshall, Mich. Bounty hunters came in the night to capture the family to return them to Kentucky, but the town's residents gathered around and refused to allow the family to be taken back, instead the bounty hunters were arrested, giving the Crosswhite family time to escape to Canada.
The Crosswhite’s Kentucky neighbor, Senator Henry Clay, worked to pass the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850, one of the causes of the Civil War.
The Crosswhites returned to Marshall after the Civil War. Adam Crosswhite died in 1878. He is buried in Marshall.
No one can tell a story like Patricia Polacco. She says that she comes from a family of wonderful storytellers and her enthusiasm for life and for storytelling is captured in her illustrations as well as her words. Polacco’s stories teach children to care about others and to understand those who come from different backgrounds and cultures and live in different times. Each story is presented respectfully and joyfully. This is Polacco’s 50th book and we hope is a contender for both the prestigious Caldecott Award for most distinguished American picture book for children and the Newbery Award for most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
Negotiations are underway for Academy Award winning actor, Morgan Freeman to record the audio version of the book.
Fireside Books is a locally-owned, independent family bookstore located at 1110 W. Michigan Ave. Marshall, Mich.
For more information, contact Fireside Books at (269) 781-3800
Cancelation of Patricia Polacco’s “Meteor Festival” 2009
Due to the sudden and tragic death of dear friend and co-coordinator, DeeDee Foley, the Meteor Festival for July 11, 2009 has been cancelled. We sincerely apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused for those of you planning a visit to our little town. We are truly saddened by the loss of our friend and due to the circumstances surrounding her death; we are unable to proceed with the festival for this year.
Those of you who may have attended in the past may remember DeeDee as the “bumble bee” in the “Bee Tree Race” as well as the vibrant and energetic teacher who ran the Graves House.
