Griot African-American Book Discussion

Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee

We feature books by African-American authors and meet for discussion in person and virtually via Zoom on the third Tuesday of the month. October's selection: Under the Tulip Tree by Michelle Shocklee.

Attend in person or virtually via Zoom. Print copies of the book are available for checkout at the Eola Road Branch Adult Reference Desk, 2nd floor or Santori Library, 3rd floor. Email group facilitator Becky Clark at rclark@aurorapubliclibrary.org for more information. Note: Griot Book Discussion will meet temporarily at Santori Library during Eola Road Branch renovations.

Join us virtually here.

Book description:

Sixteen-year-old Lorena Leland’s dreams of a rich and fulfilling life as a writer are dashed when the stock market crashes in 1929. Seven years into the Great Depression, Rena’s banker father has retreated into the bottle, her sister is married to a lazy charlatan and gambler, and Rena is an unemployed newspaper reporter. Eager for any writing job, Rena accepts a position interviewing former slaves for the Federal Writers’ Project. There, she meets Frankie Washington, a 101-year-old woman whose honest yet tragic past captivates Rena. As Frankie recounts her life as a slave, Rena is horrified to learn of all the older woman has endured?especially because Rena’s ancestors owned slaves. While Frankie’s story challenges Rena’s preconceptions about slavery, it also connects the two women whose lives are otherwise separated by age, race, and circumstances. But will this bond of respect, admiration, and friendship be broken by a revelation neither woman sees coming? (publisher description)

I acknowledge my participation (or my child’s participation) in this virtual program includes the recording of this program which may include my name as listed on my account, images and/or video footage. I grant the Aurora Public Library District my permission to use the photographs and/or video footage for any legal use, including but not limited to: publicity, copyright purposes, illustration, advertising, and web content.  
 
Furthermore, I understand that no royalty, fee or other compensation shall become payable to me by reason of such use.

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