News Release

Gain some insight in the life and experiences of The Hummingbird’s Daughter author Luis Alberto Urrea when San Francisco Chronicle Book Editor Oscar Villalon engages in a lively conversation with the writer on Oct. 11 at the Main Library. The wide-ranging table talk will cover everything from how Urrea’s family history played into the story of The Hummingbird’s Daughter to his development as a writer. Among other topics, Urrea will discuss his inspiration for writing The Hummingbird’s Daughter and reflect upon his other published works.

Urrea’s compelling 2005 novel about a young girl with mystical healing powers who later grows into a revolution-inspiring Mexican “Joan of Arc” is the selected reading for this year’s One City One Book: San Francisco Reads program. Launched in 2005, One City One Book is a citywide reading initiative developed to encourage all residents to read and discuss the same book. Readings and discussion groups will be held at various libraries and bookstores throughout San Francisco to inspire conversation about the book.

Urrea conducted more than 20 years of research into the life of Teresita, who is based on the life of his great-aunt. The book is a recent winner of the 2006 Kiriyama Prize for fiction and was selected as one of 2005’s best books by the San Francisco Chronicle. Urrea is also the author of many other books, including The Devil’s Highway, a non-fiction title about illegal immigration across the U.S.-Mexico border. The Devil’s Highway was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2004.

The conversation begins at 6:30 p.m. on Oct. 11 in the Koret Auditorium at the Main Library, 100 Larkin St. (at Grove). This program is free and open to the public.

For more information, call (415) 557-4277, or visit the One City One Book web site at http://www.sfpl.org/news/ocob/onecity.htm