National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride to Speak in Montpelier
MONTPELIER, VT – Vermont Humanities and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library are thrilled to welcome National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride to Vermont for a special evening on Thursday, September 26th. Part of Vermont Humanities’ Snapshot Series, McBride will present a free program at Christ Church in Montpelier at 6:00 PM followed by a fundraising reception at the Library. Additionally, as part of her visit, McBride will conduct a writing workshop for students at U-32 Middle & High School and present a reading to students that will be simulcast to schools statewide.
“We are thrilled to be welcoming the incredible writer, poet, and educator Amber McBride to Vermont this fall,” said Vermont Humanities Executive Director Christopher Kaufman-Ilstrup. “Her work blends writing genres beautifully to create meaningful characters and whimsical stories that tackle important issues such as grief, racism, and belonging in our world. Her visit will support Vermont’s exploration of these topics for years to come.”
“We are honored to partner with Vermont Humanities and U-32 to bring Amber McBride to Vermont,” said Kellogg-Hubbard Library Executive Director Dan Groberg. “We aim to be a community hub that engages people of all ages and backgrounds. We are grateful to our partners for working with us to bring such a thought-provoking and acclaimed speaker to Vermont.”
“Amber McBride is an extraordinarily talented author, with books for young adults that center the struggles and challenges of growing up in today’s world,” said U-32 Teacher-Librarian Meg Boisseau Allison. “She is deeply attuned with what young people need to know and hear: that they are not alone in their struggles, that they belong, and that there is hope. Her books are portals that lead to greater empathy and compassion within each of us. I’m thrilled to partner with Vermont Humanities and the Kellogg-Hubbard Library in welcoming Amber McBride to central Vermont and honored to host her at U-32.”
McBride’s work has been published in literary magazines including Ploughshares and Provincetown Arts. Her debut young adult novel, Me (Moth) was a finalist for the National Book Award and won the 2022 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent, among many other accolades. She is a professor of creative writing at University of Virginia, and lives in Charlottesville, Virginia.
At a 6:00 PM presentation at Christ Episcopal Church, McBride will reflect on how she uses her writing process to tackle the themes of loss, trauma, race, and healing through poetry. This event is free and open to the public and will also be available online via ORCA Media.
Following the free program, the Kellogg-Hubbard Library will host a meet-and-greet reception with McBride. Join us at the library for a Q&A with the author, plus delectable desserts from local bakeries, wine courtesy of Calmont Beverage, and coffee and tea. Tickets are $60 per person. All proceeds benefit the Library.
Learn more and register for the free event, livestream access, and reception tickets at www.kellogghubbard.org/mcbride.
About Vermont Humanities
A statewide nonprofit organization founded in 1974, Vermont Humanities uses the humanities to connect with people across Vermont to create just, vibrant, and resilient communities and to inspire a lifelong love of learning. Learn more at www.vermonthumanities.org.
About the Kellogg-Hubbard Library
The Kellogg-Hubbard Library is a nonprofit public library serving 18,000 residents across six towns in central Vermont. The library’s mission is to empower community members to become lifelong learners. KHL is among the busiest libraries in Vermont and has operated continuously since 1895. Learn more at www.kellogghubbard.org.