This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Arts & Entertainment

Chuck Miceli and Catherine Gibson Book Reading Event

Southington Library will Feature Two Authors Who Use Their Words to Help Children 

On Tuesday, June 26 a pair of Connecticut authors who use very different writing approaches to aid in a common purpose will conduct a book reading and signing at the Southington Public Library. 

Chuck Miceli will debut his paranormal thriller, "Amanda's Room," which combines mystery and the supernatural with romance and murder. At the other end of the writing spectrum, Catherine Gibson will share her children's books, "Through Sophie's Eyes."  

Find out what's happening in Southingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

While very different in genre and style, Miceli and Gibson's books share some unique, common threads. Gibson's heroine, Sophie, is a very likeable young girl who can neither hear nor speak. She reads lips and communicates through sign language. In Miceli's book, Amanda's spirit has learned to communicate by manipulating the environment and especially violent weather.

Both authors write to entertain and educate. Fingerspelled words and the entire ASL alphabet are featured in “Through Sophie’s Eyes,” giving children an opportunity to learn the basics of sign language. In Amanda's Room, Miceli heads each chapter with facts about the weather that guide readers through the book's events, the lives of its characters, and an understanding of who and what Amanda really is. Miceli was recently interviewed for “Amanda’s Room” on the Connecticut Style program and is a columnist for the WXedge.com weather site. Gibson has won IPPY's Mom's Choice Awards-2010 / 2011 for "Through Sophie's Eyes" and "Coach Bob & Me." In 2010 she won the Women of the Year award from the National Association of Professional Women. 

Find out what's happening in Southingtonwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Both authors also use their books to help children. Miceli is Chairman of the Board for Every Dollar Feeds Kids, which raises money for programs that provide food for children in the U.S. and abroad. Gibson, who learned sign language at the American School for the Deaf and teaches dance to deaf children, established For Children with Love, a foundation that gives money to various charities that benefit children. Both authors donate a portion of the proceeds from their books to charity. Their books are available for purchase through Amazon.com.

The event is open to the public for adults and children six and over. Both authors will have copies of their books available for purchase and signing at the event. Refreshments will be served.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?