James McBride's landmark memoir\, The Colo r of Water\, was published in 1996 and is considered an American classic\, read in schools and universities across the United States. His 2013 novel \, The Good Lord Bird\, won the National Book Award for Fiction and was ad apted by Ethan Hawke and Jason Blum into a Showtime series bearing the sam e name. His latest\, The Heaven &\; Earth Grocery Store\, was named one of the New York Times&rsquo\; 100 Notable Books of 2023.
\nIn 2016\ , President Obama awarded McBride the National Humanities Medal "for human izing the complexities of discussing race in America. Through writings abo ut his own uniquely American story\, and his works of fiction informed by our shared history\, his moving stories of love display the character of t he American family." In 2024 he became the latest recipient of the Library of Congress Prize for American Fiction. A native New Yorker\, McBride is a Distinguished Writer in Residence at New York University.
\nHeathe r Marie-Montlilla of PBS Books will join McBride in conversation.
\nThis event is made possible by Illinois Libraries Present (ILP)\, a statew ide collaboration among public libraries offering premier events. ILP is f unded in part by a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library\, a departm ent of the Office of Secretary of State\, using funds provided by the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services\, under the provisions of the Li brary Services and Technology Act (LSTA). \;
\nILP is committed to inclusion and accessibility. To request accommodations\, please email i llinoislibrariespresent@gmail.com
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