[CALIBK12] FW: O'CONNELL CELEBRATES ACCLAIMED WORK OF SACRAMENTO AUTHOR, NOTES CALIFORNIA WRITERS WEEK

[Darla Brown]

Thank you for sharing that with us, Barbara. After reading the story, I clicked on the "California Writers' Week" link at the bottom, printed out the beautiful poster, and set up a quick display in my library w/ Twain, London, Steinbeck, and Gerald Haslam (a Bakersfield writer who is an alumnus, and donates signed copies of his books to us). I love this listserve! It makes my job easier than if I were alone...

Mrs. Darla Brown, TL, M.Ed.
Teacher Librarian
Garces Memorial High School
"60 Years of Excellence in Catholic Education"
661-327-2578 x133
dbrown at garces.org


From: calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu [mailto:calibk12-bounces at lists.sjsu.edu] On Behalf Of Barbara Jeffus
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 5:25 PM
To: CALIB (E-mail)
Subject: [CALIBK12] FW: O'CONNELL CELEBRATES ACCLAIMED WORK OF SACRAMENTO AUTHOR, NOTES CALIFORNIA WRITERS WEEK

FYI.

Barbara Jeffus
School Library Consultant
California Department of Education
1430 N Street, Suite 3207
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.319.0445
FAX 916.319.0172
http://www.cde.ca.gov/ci/cr/lb

READ Green. Borrow a Library Book!

From: COMMUNICATIONS
Sent: Wednesday, October 15, 2008 11:06 AM
To: DL-Communications
Subject: O'CONNELL CELEBRATES ACCLAIMED WORK OF SACRAMENTO AUTHOR, NOTES CALIFORNIA WRITERS WEEK




REL#08-142


CONTACT: Pam Slater


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE


PHONE: 916-319-0818


October 15, 2008


E-MAIL: pslater at cde.ca.gov<mailto:pslater at cde.ca.gov>




STATE SCHOOLS CHIEF JACK O'CONNELL CELEBRATES ACCLAIMED WORK OF

 SACRAMENTO AUTHOR, NOTES CALIFORNIA WRITERS WEEK


            SACRAMENTO - State Superintendent of Public Instruction Jack O'Connell today recognized Sacramento native Kiyo Sato, who at the age of 85 wrote her first book, "Dandelion through the Crack: the Sato Family Quest for the American Dream," a poignant memoir of her family's history, and winner of the prestigious 2008 William Saroyan International Prize for Writing (Nonfiction).
            "I am proud of Kiyo Sato's commitment to share the story of her family's life, from the early years on a Sacramento strawberry farm, through the trauma of war and internment, and the rebuilding of their life," O'Connell said.
 "Her individual perspective proves that history and personal experience must be told and must be written so generations may understand and learn from it. Ms. Sato's book illuminates not only the challenges of prejudice and oppression, but more fundamentally, the triumph of a family despite those challenges. Today is a proud day for Kiyo Sato, her family, and the entire Sacramento community," O'Connell said.
            The acknowledgment of Ms. Sato's accomplishments comes the week prior to California Writers Week, a week-long tribute to California's writers. The California Writers Club, of which she is a member, also honored her during ceremonies Wednesday at Kit Carson Middle School at 53rd and N streets.
Last month at Stanford University, Ms. Sato was awarded the 2008 William Saroyan Prize (Nonfiction) that is presented to new or emerging writers representing the Saroyan literary legacy of originality, vitality, and stylistic innovation.
Using original photos and recounting the experience of leaving her home and pets, Ms. Sato has told her story to thousands of school children. Only in the last few years has she written the story, penned daily in a local coffee shop. She believes that sharing such true stories helps old and young make sense of the world and can greatly increase intergenerational understanding.
Early next year, Soho Press in New York will be reissuing the book as "Kiyo's Story: A Japanese Family's Quest for the American Dream."
Ms. Sato is a U.S. Air Force veteran, having risen to the rank of Captain in the Nurse Corps. Along with other members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Nisei Post 8985, she developed a video and workbook, "Lessons from our Lifetime: Stories from America's Concentration Camps." Earlier this week she traveled to San Diego to serve on a panel for "Passing Poston," a documentary by New York filmmakers on the camp, where she and her family were taken. Ms. Sato has worked as a public health nurse in Sacramento school districts.
 In 2003, the California State Assembly officially declared the third week in October each year as California Writers Week. For more information on California Writers Week and the California Writers Club, the nation's oldest professional writers organization, please visit: http://www.calwriters.org/html/cal_writers_week.html.

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