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Vicki Varney, Library Director Library Hours: Tues. & Thurs., Noon to 7 P.M., Sat., 9:30 A.M. to Noon |
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Vicki Varney, Library Director Library Hours: Tues. & Thurs., Noon to 7 P.M., Sat., 9:30 A.M. to Noon |
 
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Noted Author Returns To Turner With New Book Jackie Briggs Martin (wearing a scarf) with extended family members. Award-winning author Jacqueline Briggs Martin returned to her native Turner at the request of the Turner Public Library in the building from which she graduated from high school to discuss the research and writing of her newest book before a rapt, standing room only audience of fans and family of all ages on Sunday, Oct. 17. The Chiru of High Tibet, a true story, is the title of the book that Jackie, as she is known, spent several years preparing to write by reading reports on the plight of the animals and communicating with experts who had studied the near extinction of the Tibetan antelope high in the mountains. In 2003 she thought of the idea for such a book when she heard a report on the car radio about an animal in the mountains of Tibet being decimated by poachers for their extremely fine wool being made into shawls for very rich women around the world. The chiru (pronounced sheroo) would migrate each year to an unknown location where the females would give birth before returning to grazing grounds after winter. Many experienced mountain people had attempted to follow the chiru and find their hidden migration location, but none were successful. Mrs. Martin began communicating with men who were ready to give it a try, including a mountain climber, outdoor photographer, and a rugged hiker, all of whom agreed they would attempt the dangerous trip "just to save the chiru". In 2006, the quintet made the trip, first to Bejing, China for an overnight, then to Lhasa, Tibet for a couple of nights in preparation. Then 17 days in the wild, two-mile-high mountains of cold, dry, but beautiful Tibet, viewing animals, nomads, snow-capped mountain peaks, lakes formed by melting snow in Spring that turned to arid desert in the heat of summer. The tallest vegetation anywhere would not reach the knees of a human. The quintet did find the secret place where the chiru migrated to attempt the propagation of their species, made a report to the governing authorities, and China agreed to make the area a preserve where the chiru can live in relative safety and security from poachers. It meant the survival of this rare species. Giving the animal this preserve is most important to its continued existence, because for reasons not yet known, it cannot survive being domesticated, and if sheared, would freeze. Jackie, who grew up on the family farm in Turner, answered questions about her writing and her amazing trip to Tibet. The more than 50 people who filled the Community Room of the historic Leavitt Institute Building lined up to have Jackie autograph copies of the new book. and many of the previous ones she has written especially for children. Many of the youngsters in line had their personal copies of the 1999 Caldecott Medal winning "Snowflake Bentley" with them to be autographed by the author. Jackie completed the book on the "Chiru of High Tibet", her editors selected Linda Wingerter to illustrate it, and the book was released the last week in October. It is a story of bravery and heroics, beautifully illustrated, told from the heart. |