The Highest Tide, a novel by Olympia author Jim Lynch, has been announced as the Whidbey Reads 2009 book selection. The novel follows the exploits of thirteen-year-old Miles O’Malley as he explores the Puget Sound tidal flats near his home, hunting for starfish, snails and clams and finding a rare deep-sea creature stranded in the mud. While exploring for these treasures from the sea Miles also explores the mysteries of coming of age in somewhat dysfunctional surroundings.Jim Lynch, who has been featured in several "one book" projects around the country, fully embraces the community reading concept. "Talking with people who have actually read and discussed your book is an amazing experience for an author," he said. "It's totally different than doing a traditional reading. One man told me he had not read a book of fiction in years, until his daughter convinced him to participate in the community read. He had forgotten how meaningful fiction can be, and thanked me profusely for bringing that joy back into his life."
Jim Lynch will visit Whidbey Island in April for two “meet the author” events open to the public. They will be on April 21st at the Oak Harbor Yacht Club and April 22nd at the Whidbey Island Center for the Arts in Langley. Both events begin at 7PM. He will also visit two Whidbey Island high schools on those dates, working directly with students.
Leading up to the grand finale with the author, many related events have been planned focusing on the novel and on our special relationship with the Puget Sound waters that surround us. The kick off will be a dramatized presentation of the novel by the Seattle based Book-It Repertory Theatre at 7PM on Saturday, February 21st in Parker Hall at Oak Harbor High School. Voted Best Main Stage Production of 2008 by the Seattle Times, this event, suitable for teens and adults, is free and open to the public. Hope to see you there - Mary
Posts
