Author Talk with Dave Newell, Sr.

Join author David Newell, Sr. for a talk on the history of his newly published book Sarah Jane and readings from both Sarah Jane and Petey and Quackers. Copies of the books will be available to purchase.

David Newell, Sr. was born into a large family in New England. He spent the summers, as a young adult, at his father’s family farm in West Wardsboro, Vermont, the place that inspires much of his writing. He is the author of two books, Petey and Quackers, an endearing tale of a pigeon and duck who became friends, based on a true story and the recently published Sarah Jane, a story about his aunt. He based the novel, Sarah Jane, on entries from his aunt Sarah Jane’s diaries that were found in a trunk that he inherited from her. His book brings Sarah Jane’s story to life. Along with her husband Sarah Jane and her family struggled to survive during the long, harsh Vermont winters. Even so, they managed to adopt a young runaway slave from Georgia. When the family brings him into their fold, he is eventually embraced by the small Vermont community they lived in. Newell’s retelling of Sarah Jane’s words makes for a humorous, wholesome and good read.

David was raised in Woodbury, Connecticut and taught English at Woodbury Middle School. David owned and ran his family hardware and feed store C. L. Adams, until his retirement. He has been a member of Region 14 Board of Education, and served as a town selectman.