Author Irene Latham

February 21, 2010 - 02:00 PM

 

Author Irene Latham will be at Page & Palette on Sunday, February 21, 2pm - 4pm, to sign copies of her debut novel, Leaving Gee’s Bend. Set in 1932 and inspired by the rich quilting history of Gee's Bend, Alabama, Latham’s debut novel is a delightful, satisfying story of a young girl facing a brave new world.
 
About the Book
Ludelphia Bennett may be blind in one eye, but she can still put in a good stitch. Ludelphia sews all the time, especially when things go wrong. But when Mama goes into labor early and gets deathly ill, it seems like even quilting won't help. That's when Ludelphia decides to do something drastic—leave Gee's Bend for the very first time. Mama needs medicine that can only be found miles away in Camden. But that doesn't stop Ludelphia. She just puts one foot in front of the other. What ensues is a wonderful, riveting and sometimes dangerous adventure. Ludelphia weathers each challenge in a way that would make her mother proud, and ends up saving the day for her entire town.
 
About the Author
Irene Latham is a poet and novelist who writes heart-touching tales of unexpected adventure. Her debut mid-grade historical novel LEAVING GEE'S BEND is set in Alabama during the Great Depression. A resident of Birmingham, Alabama, for the past 25 years, she has published over 120 poems of various books, journals and anthologies, including a full-length collection WHAT CAME BEFORE, which was named Alabama State Poetry Society's book of the Year and earned a 2008 Independent Publisher's (IPPY) Award. Irene loves exploring new places and often uses "research" as an excuse to travel. Her favorite characters in books and real life are those who have the courage to go their own way.