Local authors Mitali Perkins and Karen Day will offer a writing workshop for youth in grades 6 and up at the Newton Free library on Monday, March 30 at 4 p.m.
Mitali Perkins recently read from her newest book Secret Keeper, to a full house at Newtonville Books, and I was lucky enough to attend.
"Good writing," says Mitali, "should engage the five senses." She used her own advice about writing to engage her audience at the reading. Guests were treated to warm cups of chai and samosas and women invited to adorn the middle of their foreheads with jeweled bindi stickers. Once her guests were seated Mitali passed around a small mortar and pestle of cardamom pods, one of her mother's favorite spices. So, sight, taste, touch, and smell were covered.
Then all properly in the mood, we listened to Mitali's beautiful voice as she read a short section from the Secret Keeper, a moving novel about two sisters set in the 1970's in Calcutta. We only wished she could have read more.
Several local authors were members of the audience, including Karen Day. We look forward to hosting both Mitali and Karen at the Newton Free Library on Monday March 30.
---Pam McCuen, Children's Librarian, Newton Free Library
Books by Mitali Perkins:
