News Release

A compelling novel about a young girl with mystical healing powers will be the focus of numerous special programs being held this fall in support of this year’s One City One Book: San Francisco Reads.

Set in Mexico in the decades before the 1910 revolution, The Hummingbird’s Daughter tells the story of Teresita, a young girl coming to terms with her destiny as a healer and who later grows into a revolution-inspiring Mexican “Joan of Arc.”

Author and Pulitzer Prize finalist Luis Alberto 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.

Urrea will read and discuss The Hummingbird’s Daughter at numerous locations around San Francisco, including a talk at the Bernal Heights Branch Library on Sept. 23; a conversation with San Francisco Chronicle Book Editor Oscar Villalon at the Main Library on Oct. 11; visits to the Books Inc., Book Passage and Cody’s bookstores; and Spanish-language programs at the Mission and Excelsior branch libraries. He will also visit local high schools and community organizations.

Books are available in libraries and local bookstores. Program guides and bookmarks will be available starting in September. A Spanish language version, eBook, and downloadable audio version of The Hummingbird’s Daughter will be available later this fall.

One City One Book is sponsored by Friends of the San Francisco Public Library, AT&T, the Wallace Alexander Gerbode Foundation, and the Alexander M. & June L. Maisin Foundation. Media sponsors are KPIX CBS 5, KBLX Radio, San Francisco Examiner, KDTV 14 Univision and KFSF 66 TeleFutura. Bookstore sponsors are Books Inc., Bird & Beckett Books & Records, Cody’s Books, Green Apple Books, City Lights, and Modern Times Bookstore.

All programs are free and open to the public. For more information, call (415) 557-4277. Also, visit the One City One Book web site for additional resources at www.sfpl.org/news/ocob/onecity.htm

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.

September Events

Book discussion about The Hummingbird's Daughter
Wednesday, September 6, 7 p.m.
Bird & Beckett Books & Records
2788 Diamond Street (at Chenery), SF, 586.3733

Book discussion about The Hummingbird's Daughter
Tuesday, September 19, 7 p.m.
Borders Books
200 King Street (at Third St.), SF, (415) 357-9931

Discussion with the author! - Discuss The Hummingbird's Daughter and meet author Luis Alberto Urrea.
Saturday, September 23, 3 p.m. - 5 p.m.
Bernal Heights Branch Library
500 Cortland Avenue, 355-2810

Author event – Book Passage welcomes Luis Alberto Urrea for a discussion and signing at our San Francisco store. Please join us!
Sunday, September 24, 2:00 p.m.
Book Passage at the Ferry Building
1 Ferry Building, #42, S.F., (415) 835-1020

Excelsior Arts and Culture Salon celebrates The Hummingbird’s Daughter – The Salon will be discussing the book, viewing The Bronze Screen: 100 Years of the Latino Image in Hollywood and discussing Hispanic culture through the medium of film.
Wednesday, September 27, 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Excelsior Branch Library
4400 Mission Street, 355-2868

The Hero in Modern Literature Book Club discusses The Hummingbird's Daughter
Thursday, September 28, 6 p.m.
Borders
233 Winston Drive (in the Stonestown Galleria), 415.731.0665

October Events

Book discussion about The Hummingbird's Daughter
Tuesday, October 3, 7 p.m.
Eureka Valley/Harvey Milk Memorial Branch Library
1 José Sarria Court (16th Street near Market), SF, 355.5616

First Fiction Bookclub discusses The Hummingbird's Daughter - Book club is free; please register at Books Inc. Laurel Village or www.booksinc.net
Tuesday, October 3, 7 p.m.
Books Inc. Laurel Village
3515 California Street, SF, 221.3666

Luis Alberto Urrea in conversation with Oscar Villalon - Join us for a special evening featuring an in-depth conversation between Urrea and San Francisco Chronicle book editor Oscar Villalon about The Hummingbird’s Daughter and his other books. Booksigning to follow.
Wednesday, October 11, 6:30 p.m.
Main Library, Koret Auditorium
100 Larkin St. (at Grove), SF, 557.4400

Litquake Lit Crawl – Luis Alberto Urrea reads alongside other Latino writers at San Francisco’s Literary Festival Mission District “Lit Crawl”!
See www.litquake.org for complete details.
Saturday, October 14 — evening

Discussion with the author - Luis Alberto Urrea joins Cody’s for a fabulous afternoon discussion of his compelling and marvelous novel. Includes refreshments.
Sunday, October 15, 4 p.m.
Cody's Stockton Street
2 Stockton Street at Market, SF, 773.0444

Author Reading and Discussion *en Español* - In celebration of One City One Book: San Francisco Reads, the Excelsior Branch will have a very special program with Luis Alberto Urrea to honor the Spanish speaking population in our neighborhood.
Monday, October 16, 6:30 p.m. - 8:30 p.m.
Excelsior Branch Library
4400 Mission Street, 355.2868

Book Discussion about The Hummingbird’s Daughter
Wednesday, October 25, 7:30 p.m.
Modern Times Bookstore
888 Valencia Street, SF, 282.9246

November Events

Celebrate Day of the Dead with Luis Alberto Urrea – Meet Luis Alberto Urrea, sample some tasty Mexican treats, and join in a lively Q & A discussion when he reads from The Hummingbird’s Daughter.
Wednesday, November 1, 7:30 p.m.
Books Inc. in Opera Plaza
601 Van Ness Ave, SF, 776.1111
A portion of all copies of The Hummingbird’s Daughter purchased at SF Books Inc. stores in Sept, Oct, and at this event will benefit the One City One Book program.

Author Reading and Discussion *en Español* - Luis Alberto Urrea will deliver a Spanish language program at the Mission Branch Library, reading from his acclaimed novel and taking audience questions. Booksigning to follow. Library is wheelchair accessible.
Saturday, November 4, 3 p.m – 5 p.m.
Mission Branch Library
300 Bartlett Street, at 24th and Mission, SF, 355.2800

City Guides Mission District Walking Tours

Murals and the Multi Ethnic Mission: – See a four story mural at the Women's Building and an eight story example at Bethany Center. Visit a multicultural neighborhood of 1880s Victorian homes.
Offered every Sunday at Noon. Meet at the Women's Building at 3543 8th Street between Guerrero and Valencia.

Mission Murals: – See the colorful people's art of the Mission District, one of San Francisco's largest ethnic communities.
Offered the first and third Saturday of the month at 11am. Meet at Precita and Harrison, behind Flynn Elementary School.