LAWRENCEVILLE – Gwinnett County Public Library has scored a coup: Charles Frazier, winner of the National Book Award for his bestselling novel Cold Mountain, will participate as keynote speaker of the 2008 Gwinnett Reads program featuring his latest book Thirteen Moons as its centerpiece.
The popular summer reading program encourages metro Atlanta adults to read the same book as they participate in activities throughout Gwinnett County
reflecting aspects of the story’s plot and culture. Gwinnett Reads culminates in a major public event featuring Charles Frazier, who has been honored by the Tribal Council of the Eastern Band of the Cherokee Nation for his dedication to helping save the Cherokee language and culture. Thirteen Moons has become a high-profile part of Frazier’s efforts to help the Cherokee’s preservation ef forts.
“Growing up in western North Carolina,” said Frazier, “I never asked too closely how it came about that neighboring Cherokee people still persisted there in places like Snowbird and the town of Cherokee so long after the Trail of Tears. In large part, Thirteen Moons is my belated attempt to understand that move ment of American history and to tell a part of the story of the southern Appala chians and its people at a moment of transformation.”
This final Gwinnett Reads activity brings everything together at Gwinnett Center on the evening of July 12 with Frazier reading from his book, answering questions, and presenting Cherokee music, singing, and readings. He will also sign books that are available at the event in English and Cherokee.