An Evening with Geraldine Brooks

Fall Programs for Winchester Reads

 The Winchester Reads Committee announced the choice of this year’s book, ‘Caleb’s Crossing’ by Geraldine Brooks.  This is the second of two programs about this book.

Tuesday, October 23rd at 7:00 p.m. at McCall Middle School.  458 Main St.   Geraldine Brooks will speak about her book ‘Caleb’s Crossing’.

 Geraldine Brooks was awarded the Pulitzer Prize in Fiction for her novel, ‘March’ and is a well-known author of many books, such as ‘People of the Book’, ‘Year of Wonders’ and the nonfiction works ‘Nine Parts of Desire’ and ‘Foreign Correspondence.’   

 ‘Caleb’s Crossing’ is based on the fact that in 1665, a young man from Martha’s Vineyard became the first Native American to graduate from Harvard College.  Bethia Mayfield is a restless and curious young woman also growing up in Martha’s Vineyard in the 1660’s.  At the age of 12, she meets Caleb, the young son of a chieftain, and the two forge a secret bond.  Bethia’s father is a Calvinist minister who seeks to convert the native Wampanoag, and Caleb becomes a prize in the contest between old ways and new.

 Inspired by a true story and narrated by Bethia, ‘Caleb’s Crossing’ brilliantly captures the triumphs and turmoil of two brave spirits who risk everything in a search for knowledge at a time of superstition and ignorance.

Come and enjoy an Evening With Geraldine Brooks