About A Bright Light of Hope
The Elizabeth Peratrovich Story
BY ANNIE BOOCHEVER
ILLUSTRATED BY APAY’UQ MOORE
INTRODUCTION BY BETSY PERATROVICH
No one expected the girl from a small town in Alaska to make history, but Elizabeth Peratrovich saw discrimination and refused to stay silent. Fairness became the driving force of her life. She helped change Alaska so everyone, no matter what race, would be treated equally under the law. This is her story.
A Bright Light of Hope: The Elizabeth Peratrovich Story is the first picture biography for young people that tells the true story of the remarkable Alaska Native woman whose fight, alongside other Alaska leaders, guaranteed equal treatment under Alaska law, regardless of race. It was a right that took the rest of the country nearly twenty years to realize with the US Civil Rights Act of 1964. Beautifully illustrated by Yup’ik artist Apay’uq Moore, A Bright Light of Hope is just that—a light of hope. Published at a time when stories of Indigenous people are being actively suppressed by the federal government, the Elizabeth Peratrovich story brings hope to young people that they can make real change in their communities.
Reviews
“For the first time, children will have the opportunity to learn about a noble Tlingit woman, Elizabeth Peratrovich, who successfully fought for the civil rights of Alaska Natives. Significantly, young readers will be able to learn about the concepts of equality and inequality.”
—Rosita Kaaháni Worl, Sealaska Heritage Institute
“This book allows teachers to work with their community of learners to establish a safe place to have these conversations. To learn from one another and use the example of a strong, intentional leader on how they can make their own change for the better in their world.”
—Jessica Curry, Juneau School District
“Teachers around the state of Alaska will find this book invaluable for their students.”
—Shannon Clouse, Dillingham City School District
Pre-Order Online for OCTOBER Release
Available for Pre-Order on Barnes & Noble and Amazon.
A Bright Light of Hope
Paperback: 978-1-64642-894-6, $14.95
6×9, 60 pages
Study Guide: 978-1-64642-895-3, $22.00
An extensive study guide featuring a scripted theatrical adaptation intended for student performance as well as a variety of classroom activities is also available. It includes a phonetic pronunciation guide and link to audio recordings of Łingít pronunciation, both contributed by Will Geiger and the Sealaska Heritage Foundation.
Generous support for the illustrations provided by the Rasmuson Foundation.
About the Author
Photo credit: Sheila Ring
ANNIE BOOCHEVER grew up in Juneau, where she became a teacher and playwright. During four decades as an educator, she wrote and produced more than a dozen multicultural musical plays for elementary students, earned an MFA in creative writing for children and young adults from the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, and cofounded the Alaska Children’s Theater. Her books Bristol Bay Summer and Fighter in Velvet Gloves: Alaska Civil Rights Hero Elizabeth Peratrovich, written in collaboration with Roy Peratrovich Jr., have won numerous awards.
Author’s website: https://annieboochever.site
Media/educator contact:
Beth Svinarich 720.406.8849 ext. 803
beth@upcolorado.com
upcolorado.com • 1.800.621.2736
UAPress in an imprint of the University Press of Colorado, supported, in part, by Adams State University, Colorado State University, Fort Lewis College, Metropolitan State University of Denver, University of Alaska Fairbanks, University of Colorado, University of Denver, University of Northern Colorado, University of Wyoming, Utah State University, and Western Colorado University.
View/Download the PDF About this Book