Amherst, MA - On Sunday March 22, at 2 p.m. the Emily Dickinson Museum and the Jones Library will host author and actor Barbara Dana for a reading from her new historical novel for young people, A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson, published by Harper Collins. A book signing and reception will follow. The program will take place in the Trustees Room of the Jones Library. It is free and open to the public.
 
In her book, A Voice of Her Own: Becoming Emily Dickinson, Barbara Dana imagines the world of a vibrantly creative Emily Dickinson. Ms. Dana captures the spirit of the young poet searching for her unique voice within the confines of her 19th century New England world.  
 
"It's a real honor to help launch Barbara Dana's new book," said Jane Wald, the museum's director. "She writes a thoroughly engaging for young readers about artistic identity and the courage to claim one's own talents."
 
Barbara Dana is an award-winning author of books for children and young adults. Her books include Young Joan (a historical novel based on the young life of Joan of Arc); Necessary Parties; Crazy Eights; Zucchini; Zucchini Out West; Spencer and his Friends; and Rutgers and the Water-Snouts. Her first play, War in Paramus,was produced at HB Playwrights in New York and later opened at New York's Abingdon Theatre Company, directed by Austin Pendelton. It has recently been published in the anthology New Playwrights: The Best Plays of 2006. Her screenplays include Chu-Chu and the Philly Flash and Necessary Parties, adaptedfrom her novel.   Her first adult book, Wider than the Sky: Essays and Meditations on the Healing Power of Emily Dickinson (Kent State University Press) has recently been released.
 
Ms. Dana made her New York stage debut as an actor at age 17 in Arthur Laurents' A Clearing in the Woods. She appeared on Broadway in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?, Enter Laughing, Room Service, and opposite Beau Bridges in William Inge's Where's Daddy? She was a member of the famed improvisational group Second City, appearing in Chicago and New York.  Ms. Dana's film performances include roles in Raising Flagg, The In-Laws, Popi, Fire Sale, Chu-Chu and the Philly Flash (for which she wrote the screenplay) and the short films T.G.I.F. and Samuel Beckett is Coming Soon. She has appeared in over 100 television programs.

For a complete list of the Emily Dickinson Museum's 2009 programming and special events, visitwww.emilydickinsonmuseum.org.