The Grosse Pointe Public Library recently hosted a excellent program on two local memoirs that attracted a large crowd and we want to pass the word.  

Border Crossings: Coming of Age in the Czech Resistance

Charles Novacek was recruited into the Czech resistance at the age of eleven, and his harrowing memoir of resistance, capture and escape has been beautifully edited and published posthumously by his widow, Sandra Novacek.  Read more about Border Crossings: Coming of Age in the Czech Resistance on the book website  or the Facebook page.  It has received high praise, including the Midwest Book Award gold medal winner for Memoir, and a commendation from Madeleine Albright.  The Metro Times highly recommended it in their Year of Detroit booklist.  Many may know Sandy from her former position as Director of the Cromaine Library.   She is currently a librarian here at the Grosse Pointe Public Library and to book a program she can be reached here at the library at 313-343-2072 or snovacek@gp.lib.mi.us or through the book Facebook page.

Through the Eyes of Rose

John Kozak was seven years old when he escaped with his mother and older sister from oppressive Communist rule in Czechoslovakia. He has poignantly recounted the stories and bravery of his mother Rose during and after World War II in Through the Eyes of Rose. Read more about him in the Grosse Pointe News on June 25, 2009, p.1, "Pointer of Interest. Mr. Kozak is willing to do programs and can be reached at jkozakinc@aol.com or 313-885-1999.

While we combined the two for one program, each has more than enough to make a delightful program.