Margarita Engle, the celebrated author and poet who calls the Central Valley home, published two new books in 2021. The first, “Your Heart, My Sky,” is a young adult novel written in verse. The second is a children’s picture book titled “A Song of Frutas.” Valley Edition Host Kathleen Schock …
Read More »New Novel By Fresno Author Explores Japanese-American Experience In WWII
The new historical novel “Tears of Honor” by Fresno author James Ardaiz documents the experience of Japanese-Americans during WWII. The sweeping narrative includes two boys from Calwa who are forced into an internment camp, and ultimately show their loyalty to America by joining the Army and fighting in the war. …
Read More »Author Miriam Pawel On How Pat And Jerry Brown Influenced Criminal Justice
Former California Governors Pat and Jerry Brown collectively led the state for 24 years, and in that time played a significant role shaping California’s courts and incarceration policies. Miriam Pawel, author of “The Browns of California: The Family Dynasty that Transformed a State and Helped Shape a Nation,” will discuss …
Read More »‘Two Buck Chuck & The Marlboro Man’ – Author Frank Bergon’s Tales of The San Joaquin Valley
Western novelist and historian Frank Bergon’s recently published nonfiction book Two Buck Chuck and The Marlboro Man: The New Old West gives readers an intimate portrayal of 12 small town westerners, many of whom he met growing up in Madera. From cowboys to writers, dust bowl migrants to farmers and …
Read More »Frazier Park Author Gives Voice To Family Of Those Caught Up In Substance Use Disorders
We’ve become more familiar with stories and reports about how widespread the opioid crisis has become, but what about the loved ones of those caught in addiction — their family and friends? In her first book, Central Valley author Tina Hogan Grant writes about this from her own perspective. Her …
Read More »Author Sarah Fawn Montgomery May Be “Quite Mad,” But Uses Her Story To Explore Mental Health
It can be hard to find the right kind of care for your physical health, and it can be just as challenging to find the right care for your mental health. One Fresno State alumna’s latest book is about facing that challenge herself. Sarah Fawn Montgomery is an author from …
Read More »Author Steven Church Talks About His Latest Book, And Why It Is And Isn’t “Disturbing”
Author and Fresno State professor Steven Church has written several books, many of them as compilations of essays. His latest is called “ I’m Just Getting to the Disturbing Part: On Work, Fear, and Fatherhood .” The essays span Church’s adult life, from jobs he took soon after college to …
Read More »Valley Edition – September 4, 2018 – Author Miriam Pawel, Poet Brian Turner, ICE At Courthouses
This week on Valley Edition, we talk with biographer Miriam Pawel, author of the new book, “The Browns of California: The Family Dynasty that Transformed a State and Helped Shape a Nation.” We also talk with poet Brian Turner, about his new music project from his band, the Interplanetary Acoustic …
Read More »Author William Saroyan’s Home To Become Museum In Fresno, Complete With Hologram
Mark Arax, who’s a journalist and author, says he remembers when William Saroyan would come over to his grandfather’s house in Fresno for dinner. And when he finally got a driver’s license, he recalls picking Saroyan up at his home on Griffith Way for those dinners. “He kept the grass …
Read More »Author Naomi Hirahara Explores “Life After Manazanar” In A New Book
It’s been 76 years since Japanese immigrants and Americans were incarcerated, and sent to internment, also known today as concentration camps, during World War II. They were sent there by Executive Order 9066 from President Roosevelt. The action was under the pretense of defending national security on the West Coast. …
Read More »Valley Author Pens “Zoot Suit” Novel For Young Adults
Seventy five years ago this month, the streets of Los Angeles turned violent in an event that came to be known as the Zoot Suit Riots. The cause is still unclear, but we know this: for 10 days in 1943, white service members attacked young Latino men on the streets …
Read More »Valley Edition – June 5, 2018 – Lamont Sidewalks, Author Tim Z Hernandez, Jessica Garrison
Today on Valley Edition, we learn how residents in the Kern County community of Lamont are excited about something many of us take for granted: sidewalks. We also learn about a new Buszzfeed investigation into a hit man with roots – and many victims – in the San Joaquin Valley. …
Read More »Fresno Author Tanya Nichols Releases Second Novel “The Circle Game”
A new novel from Fresno-based author Tanya Nichols tells the story of an attorney, her young client, and how they both must deal with tragedies in their lives. The Circle Game is Nichols’ second novel, and is set here in the San Joaquin Valley. She recently joined us on Valley …
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