Find a copy of Crazy Brave in a library near you (Click here).
Purchase a copy of Crazy Brave from Bank Square Books (Click here).
A “raw and honest” (Los Angeles Review of Books) memoir from the first Native American Poet Laureate of the United States. In this transcendent memoir, grounded in tribal myth and ancestry, music and poetry, Joy Harjo details her journey to becoming a poet. Born in Oklahoma, the end place of the Trail of Tears, Harjo grew up learning to dodge an abusive stepfather by finding shelter in her imagination, a deep spiritual life, and connection with the natural world. Narrating the complexities of betrayal and love, Crazy Brave is a haunting, visionary memoir about family and the breaking apart necessary in finding a voice.
Read Joy Harjo’s op-ed on the McGirt v. Oklahoma Supreme Court decision (Click here)
Kickoff Event
Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. | An online kickoff celebration | Watch a recording on YouTube.
Please join us for a virtual kickoff celebration for the book on Wednesday, June 17 at 7 p.m. with keynote speaker Sandy Grande. Grande is Professor of Education and Director of the Center for the Critical Study of Race and Ethnicity at Connecticut College. Her areas of specialization are Native American/Indigenous Education and Critical Indigenous Theory. Her landmark book Red Pedagogy: Native American Social and Political Thought was recently published in a 10th anniversary edition.
Watch a recording of the June 17 kickoff event with Sandy Grande on YouTube:
Author Event
Monday, September 14, 2020 at 7:00 p.m. | One Book, One Region and Connecticut College present an evening with Joy Harjo. Registration for the virtual (online) event was required.
This virtual community event is a collaboration between One Book One Region of Eastern Connecticut (now in its 18th year) and Connecticut College. This is the fifth year that Connecticut College has partnered with this initiative to bring community members and the college community together to discuss ideas, broaden appreciation of reading and break down barriers between people.
A Life in one Line
During the 2020 One Book, One Region season we asked residents of New London County to write a one sentence memoir. These life stories were collected into a single book entitled A Life in One Line. Download your free eBook today by clicking the links below.
EPUB: compatible with many eReaders and Apple products (not compatible with Kindle products).
PDF: for all devices, including Kindle products.
Book Discussions
Looking for a Book Discussion? Check out your local library! Please note that not all libraries will be able to participate this year due to COVID 19. Select book discussions are listed below:
Thursday, July 23, at 6:30pm — Waterford Public Library — Book discussion facilitated by Lynne Rogers, professor of english at UConn. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. Multiple copies of Crazy Brave are available in the library for check out.
Tuesday, September 8, from 6:30–7:30pm — Groton Public Library — Book discussion facilitated by Laurie Wolfley, Professor of English at UConn Avery Point. Visit the Groton Public Library calendar of events for contact information and to register.
Wednesday, September 9, at 7pm — Otis Library — Join the Otis Library Changing Minds Book Club for a virtual discussion of the One Book One Region 2020 selection Crazy Brave by Joy Harjo. Please register for the discussion by e-mailing Adultprograms@otislibrarynorwich.org, or you may register on the Otis Library website calendar at www.otislibrarynorwich.org.
Thursday, September 10, at 6:30pm — Gales Ferry Library — Book discussion via Zoom facilitated by Librarian Elaine Steele. Copies of Crazy Brave are available at both library branches. Share your thoughts and hear what others have to say. No registration necessary; the Zoom link will be posted on our events page.
Poetry Walks
Monday, September 7 through November 2 | Read poetry by One Book One Region 2020 author Joy Harjo while walking nature paths at Connecticut College, Ledyard Public Library, Mohegan Park, and UConn Avery Point. Each poetry walk has different poems, so be sure to visit them all! Poetry walks will run from Sept. 7 – Nov. 2, conditions permitting.
Please call each host before visiting to ensure that the walk is open on the day of your desired visit:
Connecticut College Native Plant Collection, located at approximately 830 Williams Street, New London. Plenty of parking is available on Williams Street across from Connecticut College Harkness Chapel, (860) 439-5020. (Public access to Connecticut College through the main entrance at 270 Mohegan Avenue is currently restricted due to COVID.)
Connecticut College Caroline Black Garden, is located across the street from the main entrance to Connecticut College. Parking is available at 4 Winchester Road, New London which just east of Route 32/Mohegan Avenue; best accessed by taking the road to the College Athletic Center and an immediate right onto Winchester Road. Take a right at the first driveway, which leads to the Vinal Cottage parking lot, (860) 439-5020. (Public access to Connecticut College through the main entrance at 270 Mohegan Avenue is currently restricted.)
Ledyard Public Library, 718 Colonel Ledyard Hwy, Ledyard, CT 06339, (860) 464-9912.
Mohegan Park, Mohegan Park Rd., Norwich, CT 06360, Host Otis Library (860) 889-2365.
UConn Avery Point, Branford House Quadrangle. Proceed straight on campus entrance road and take your second left, Branford House is on the right. Visitor parking is available as noted on campus signage near Branford House and along Sculpture Path. Hosts Groton Public Library (860) 441-6750 and UConn Avery Point.
Thank You to Our 2020 Sponsors!
Community Foundation of Eastern Connecticut
Connecticut College
Frank Loomis Palmer Fund, Bank of America, N.A., Trustee
Libraries of Southeastern CT
