Children’s author to appear at library

DOWNEY – Award-winning author and teacher Kathryn Fitzmaurice will discuss her book, “A Diamond in the Desert,” on Thursday, Nov. 20, at the Downey City Library. The discussion is part of the library’s celebration of Children’s Book Week.

“A Diamond in the Desert” tells the story of a young Japanese-American boy, Tetsu, as he transitions from life on a farm in central Califronia to living in an internment camp in the deserts of Arizona following the bombing of Pearl Harbor on Dec. 7, 1941.

The camp isn’t technically a prison, but it sure feels like one when there’s nothing to do and no place to go. So when a man starts up a boys’ baseball team, Tetsu is only too eager to play again.

But with his sister suddenly falling ill, and his father taken away for questioning, Tetsu is forced to choose between his family and his love of the game.

Fitzmaurice’s presentation will include details of how she wrote the book and the Japanese-American experience during World War II.

Children ages 7-12 and their parents are invited to the free program. The book will be available for sale or check-out at the library.

For questions, call (562) 904-7360, ext. 127.

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Published: Nov. 13, 2014 - Volume 13 - Issue 31