VALE – The Vale Book Club will discuss “News of the World” by Paulette Jiles this Thursday.
The meeting will be at 7 p.m. at the home of Carol Spears, 683 Cottage St. S. Marge Mitchell will facilitate the discussion.
Goodreads online reviews describe the book as a morally complex novel of historical fiction that explores the boundaries of family, responsibility, honor, and trust.
The story, set in the aftermath of the Civil War, tells of an aging itinerant news reader who agrees to transport a young captive of the Kiowa back to her family. The child, Johanna, had witnessed the brutal slaughter of her parents and sister but seems to have no memory of this experience.
Captain Jefferson Kyle Kidd makes his living traveling from town to town in northern Texas, giving live readings from various newspapers to paying audiences, hungry for news of the world.
Offered a $50 gold piece to deliver the 10-year-old orphan to relatives in San Antonio, he agrees and embarks on a 400-mile journey through dangerous territory with Johanna, who has forgotten English and tries to escape at every opportunity.
Over the miles, a bond of trust develops, and the captain faces a dilemma: whether to abandon the child to cruel family members or become a kidnapper himself.
For information on the book club, contact Lucy Hutchens, 208-739-6954, or Marge Mitchell, 208-739-6777 for information.
Also coming up in Vale:
• Nominations are due Jan. 15 for Vale’s Distinguished Citizen awards. The winners will be honored at a dinner March 16 at Vale High School.
Nomination forms are available on the Chamber website, or at businesses including Chabelita’s, Perk Beverage, Diamondback Grill and the city of Vale.
• Vale High School Alumni Association will hold its next meeting at 5:30 p.m. Monday, Jan. 28, at the Vale Emma Humphrey Library meeting room, 150 A St. E.