Award-winning local children’s author Jerdine Nolen of Ellicott City, Md., speaks about her newest book and first novel, “Eliza’s Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary,” on Saturday, January 22, 2 – 4 p.m. This official national book launch takes place at the Maryland Women’s Heritage Center located at 39 West Lexington Street (at the corner of Lexington and Liberty Streets) in downtown Baltimore.

Co-sponsored by the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, Girl Scouts of Central Maryland, and WomanTalk Live, this special event includes a meet and greet and book signing with children’s author Jerdine Nolen. Copies of “Eliza’s Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary,” are also available for purchase. Admission is free.

“Eliza’s Freedom Road: An Underground Railroad Diary” is Jerdine Nolen’s first novel and latest book. Geared towards readers’ ages 8 – 12 years old, it is an historical fiction book written in a diary format telling the story of a 12-year-old slave girl named Eliza and her journey to freedom.  Jerdine Nolen notes, “This story draws much of its inspiration from a constant theme in human experience: the act of traveling to go to a better way of life.”

Alma Powell, wife of former Secretary of State Colin Powell, said, “A story of hope, determination, and the triumph of human spirit.”

Jerdine Nolen is an award-winning children’s author and former elementary school teacher from Ellicott City, Md. She is the author of numerous picture books. Her best-known books include Raising Dragons, illustrated by Elise Primavera, which was a SHOW ME Readers Award winner and received the Christopher Award, and Harvey Potter's Balloon Farm, illustrated by Mark Buehner, which was an ALA Notable Book and an IRA-CBC Children’s Choice. She and Kadir Nelson collaborated on Thunder Rose, winner of a Coretta Scott King award for illustration, and Hewitt Anderson's Great Big Life, which received the Society of Illustrators’ Gold Medal. Recently, Plantzilla, illustrated by David Catrow, was named a BOOKSENSE 76 Selection. Her most recent picture book is Christmas in the Time of Billy Lee, a family story about a young girl and her imaginary friend, Billy Lee, released in September 2010.

For more information, visit www.MDWomensHeritageCenter.org or call 410-767-0675

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