March 16th, 11:00 am, Exploring Family & Place

Come to Bear Pond Books on Saturday, March 6th, for an author talk with Natalie Kinsey-Warnock and Jenny Land! 

How many books can one person fill with family stories? Well, according to this Burlington Free Press Article on author Natalie Kinsey, more than 50.

Natalie Kinsey-Warnock is the author of sixteen books for children that all have one thing in common: They are based either on the author's own life or on true stories passed down through the seven generations of her family that have lived in northern Vermont.

Natalie's books include her first novel, The Canada Geese Quilt, an ALA Notable Book, and As Long as There Are Mountains, the 2006 selection for the Vermont Reads program. Her latest book is True Colors, which takes place in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom in the 1950's.

On Saturday, March 16th at 11:00 in the Bear Pond children's room Natalie will be speaking about exploring family and place in historical fiction, including her Story Keepers pilot writing project that combines genealogical research and historical context as a platform for writing. 

Along with Natalie we are particularly happy to welcome Jenny Land and her debut novel The Spare Room.

The Spare Room takes us to a farm in pre-Civil War Vermont in the year when 12 year old Susannah Allen starts to learn about slavery, the abolitionist movement, and how these will affect her life. Vermont author Frank Howard Mosher writes:

"Jenny Land's The Spare Room is a beautifully-written, entirely authentic novel about pre-Civil War Vermont, human freedom, and the most evil institution in mankind's history—slavery. Jenny Land understands her characters inside-out, and writes with the magical touch of Laura Ingalls Wilder.  Young people and adults alike will love The Spare Room. What a splendid debut."   

Jenny Land was born in Vermont. After her education at Dartmouth College and the Universities of Oxford and St. Andrews, she returned to Vermont to teach English and creative writing at St. Johnsbury Academy, and to work on farms during the summer. We look forward to seeing more of her books!

This talk will include conversations about activities to incorporate historical research and creative writing into the school classroom - but it's not just for educators. Historians, storytellers, and people who enjoy a good story will all find something to learn!

Get thinking about historical fiction with this story board of some favorite books. 

Please join us Saturday, March 16th, at 11:00 am. There will be refreshments as well as discounts on books purchased that day. And, while you're checking your calendar, don't forget to save the date for April 6th when Linda Urban talks about her brand new (being published this week) book The Center of Everything.