The Nebraska Women in Agriculture program and Annie’s Project have announced ‘The Giver of Stars’, as the choice for their second quarter book club, which will conclude with a virtual discussion at 1 p.m. Central Time on June 15.
This breathtaking story shares the journey of five extraordinary Packhorse Librarians and their remarkable trek through the mountains of Kentucky and beyond in Depression-era America.
Alice Wright marries handsome American Bennett Van Cleve, hoping to escape a stifling life in England. But small-town Kentucky quickly proves equally claustrophobic, especially living alongside an overbearing father-in-law. So, when a call goes out for volunteers to deliver books as part of Eleanor Roosevelt’s new traveling library, Alice signs on enthusiastically.
The leader, and soon Alice's greatest ally, is Margery, a smart-talking, self-sufficient person who has never asked anyone’s permission for anything. They will be joined by three other volunteers who become known as the Packhorse Librarians of Kentucky.
What happens to them becomes an unforgettable drama of loyalty, justice, humanity, and passion. These heroic protagonists refuse to be frightened by convention. And though they face all kinds of dangers in a landscape that is at times breathtakingly beautiful, at others brutal, they are committed to their job: bringing books to people who have never had any, arming them with facts that will change their lives.
Based on a true story rooted in America’s past, ‘The Giver of Stars’ is unparalleled in its scope and epic in its storytelling. Funny, heartbreaking, enthralling, it is destined to become a modern classic—a richly rewarding novel of friendship, of true love, and of what happens when we reach beyond our grasp for the great beyond.
Registration is free and can be found on the Nebraska Women in Agriculture website, or by clicking here. The first 25 registrants will receive a complimentary copy of the book mailed to them.
Please note: A small portion of the book contains some explicit and sensitive content. Please be advised that portions of this book may be upsetting. All attendees are welcome regardless of race, gender, or any other protected status. For UNL’s notice of nondiscrimination, click here.
