Play reading at UC lunch

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Novelist Denise Giardina will read from her latest project, a play based upon the friendship between Robert Byrd and Ted Kennedy, at the University of Charleston Builders' March 28 luncheon.

An opportunity to meet the author will begin at 11:30 a.m. with lunch served at noon, followed by the program in the Erma Byrd Art Gallery in Riggleman Hall on the UC campus.

Membership in the Builders is not a requisite for attending the luncheon. The price is $15, and reservations are required by Friday. Contact Janie DeYoung at Janiedeyo...@ucwv.edu or at 304-357-4369.

At the first public reading of her play, Giardina will team with Frieda Forsley to present a scene from "Robert and Ted." The play about the two long-serving U.S. senators will be staged during FestivALL.

Hickam at 50th gala

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- "Rocket Boys" author Homer Hickam will speak and sign books April 3 at the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation's 50th anniversary celebration at the Clay Center.

The dinner event begins at 6 p.m. Tickets are $100 per person and $175 for couples. For tickets, contact Stephanie Hyre at 304-346-3620 or email sh...@tgkvf.org by Friday.

Children's book signing

CHARLESTON, W.Va. -- Carolyn Turgeon, an author based in New York and Pennsylvania, will read from and sign copies of her new book, "The Next Full Moon," from noon to 2 p.m. April 7 at Books a Million, 212 RHL Blvd.

The novel is for middle-grade readers and is about a 12-year-old girl who begins growing feathers and eventually discovers that she's the daughter of a swan maiden.