Mary Helen Stefaniak comes to Bay Village Library

Meet author Mary Helen Stefaniak at the Bay Village Branch Library on Thursday, Feb. 2, at 7:00 pm. Her most recent book, “The Cailiffs of Baghdad, Georgia,” received the 2011 Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Fiction. This prestigious award has recognized books that “make important contributions to our understanding of racism and our appreciation of the rich diversity of human cultures.” 

Her book was chosen as a “rollicking tale  that manages to speak seriously to the tragedy of ignorance and the damage caused by fear.” In the book, the town is thrown into an uproar when new teacher Grace Spivey arrives and turns the annual festival into an exotic Baghdad Bazaar. Although her progressive spirit proves threatening to some, Miss Spivey succeeds in pushing the limitations of stereotypes and inspiring change.    

Stefaniak’s  earlier novels have also received awards and recognition. She has presented many writing workshops in various venues from Florida to Alaska. She even went to talk to readers of her book “The Turk and My Mother” in Italy!

Join us as we welcome this celebrated author to Bay Village for an enjoyable evening. Copies of her books will be available for purchase and signing courtesy of the Friends of the Bay Village Library and Mac’s Backs-Books on Coventry. Please register to let us know you’ll be coming, by going online at cuyahogalibrary.org, by phone at 871-6392, or by stopping in to see us!