Reading Across Rhode Island Author Event, April 2026

On Tuesday, April 14 a crowd gathered in Bazarsky Lecture Hall at Salve Regina University to hear 2026 Reading Across Rhode Island author Dolen Perkins-Valdez (Happy Land) in conversation with Pell Center Director, Jim Ludes followed by audience Q&A. The Reading Across Rhode Island program is supported in part by the Office of Library and Information Services. 

Perkins-Valdez offered insights into the years-long research and writing process that went into developing the story of Happy Land, an historical fiction novel based on the true story of an independent community of freed blacks in North and South Carolina at the turn of the 20th century. Following the discussion, attendees were offered the opportunity to get a personal copy of the book signed and to connect with statewide partners such as the GRINS Network, also funded by OLIS and the Institute for Museum and Library Services.