March 27, 2009

The Library of Michigan Foundation today announced that Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award recipient Christopher Paul Curtis - author of 2008 Michigan Notable Book "Elijah of Buxton" - is the featured speaker for the annual "Night for Notables" celebration on Saturday, April 18. A tribute to all of the 2009 Michigan Notable Books authors - and a great opportunity for fans to mingle with their favorite writers and illustrators - the program takes place from 6:30 to 9 p.m. at the Library of Michigan and includes a reception and book signings with 16 of this year's 20 Notables authors.

"A Michigan native who became a renowned author by drawing on his experiences growing up in our state, Christopher Paul Curtis exemplifies the spirit of the Michigan Notable Books, which bring to life the diverse stories of Michigan's people and places," said Judith K. Moore, executive director of the Library of Michigan Foundation. "We're so excited to offer book lovers the opportunity to meet him and many of the talented Notable authors who so eloquently capture Michigan's rich heritage, all together in one venue."

Christopher Paul Curtis was born in Flint, the setting of many of his books. After high school, Curtis spent 13 years on the assembly line of Flint's historic Fisher Body plant, hanging 80-pound car doors on Buicks. He attended college at night and wrote during his breaks to escape the noise of the factory.

Curtis made an outstanding debut in children's literature with "The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963," named a Newbery Honor Book and a Coretta Scott King Honor Book. His second novel, "Bud, Not Buddy," won the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award.

"Night for Notables" guests will have the chance to win five of the Michigan Notable Books titles signed by their authors. Copies of all the 2009 Michigan Notable Books will be available for purchase. The celebration is open to all, with tickets priced at $35 per person. A portion of the evening's proceeds will be used to support the Library of Michigan's special collections and programs.

To reserve a spot and get more details about this special event sponsored by the Library of Michigan Foundation, call (517) 373-4692. The Library of Michigan is located inside the Michigan Library and Historical Center, 702 W. Kalamazoo St., in downtown Lansing. Weekend parking is free.

The Michigan Notable Books list is the Library of Michigan's annual selection of books that reflect the state's rich cultural heritage by highlighting Michigan people, places and events. Each year's list features 20 books published the previous calendar year that are about or set in Michigan or the Great Lakes region or are written by a native or resident of Michigan. Selections include nonfiction and fiction and typically have wide audience appeal, covering a range of topics and issues close to the hearts of Michigan residents. For more information about Michigan Notable Books, please visit www.michigan.gov/notablebooks.

The programming and author tour centered around the 2009 Michigan Notable Books list are sponsored by the Library of Michigan, the Library of Michigan Foundation, the Michigan Humanities Council, Cooley Law School, ProQuest, Meijer, Steelcase Foundation, Paul and Marge Potter, Auto Owners Insurance, the Michigan Center for the Book and the National Archive Publishing Company. Program partners are Borders and Schuler Books & Music. Media partners are City Pulse, WKAR, Queue Advertising, Gennara Photography and Mittenlit.com.

The Michigan Notable Books program is designed to promote reading and raise awareness of Michigan's strong literary heritage. Throughout April and May, many of the 2009 Michigan Notable Books authors will take their stories on the road, visiting libraries throughout the state - more than 50 stops in all - to talk with the public about their books. A full schedule of author visits is available on the Michigan Notable Books Web site.

The Library of Michigan Foundation raises funds to support special programs, services and collections of the Library of Michigan.

The Library of Michigan is part of the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL). Dedicated to enriching quality of life and strengthening the economy by providing access to information, preserving and promoting Michigan's heritage and fostering cultural creativity, the department also includes the Mackinac Island State Park Commission, the Michigan Council for Arts and Cultural Affairs and the Michigan Historical Center. For more information, visit www.michigan.gov/hal.

Read more press releases from the Department of History, Arts and Libraries (HAL).