Award-Winning author Katherine Paterson at Centre Congregational Church

Brooks Memorial Library will host a presentation by Katherine Paterson, two-time winner of the prestigious Newbery Award and the National Book Award, at Centre Congregational Church, 193 Main St. in Brattleboro on Friday, November 12 at 7pm. In conversation with Youth Services Librarian Lindsay Bellville, Paterson will speak about her recent novel for young people, Birdie’s Bargain, in honor of Veteran’s Day.

Birdie’s father is returning for another tour of duty in Iraq, so to save money Birdie and her family move from Brattleboro to live with her Gran up north. As if she didn’t have enough to worry about, the move brings a new school and a puzzling new acquaintance, which gives Birdie both concern and a cause. Readers of all faiths and backgrounds, especially children of military families, will identify with and root for the unforgettable Birdie, given inimitable voice by this master storyteller.

Katherine Paterson has written more than thirty books for young people, including Bridge to Terabithia and My Brigadista Year. She is a recipient of the Hans Christian Anderson Award, the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award, the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award, and is a former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, an honor bestowed by the Library of Congress.

Books will be available for sale and signing. The program is free, open to the public and accessible to people in wheelchairs. Because it will be held indoors, all attendees are required to wear masks. For more information call (802) 254-5290.  Sponsored by the Friends of Brooks Memorial Library in partnership with Centre Congregational Church, Brattleboro Literary Festival, Candlewick Press, and Everyone’s Books.