Hall High School student Julia Tannenbaum will give a book talk about ‘Changing Ways’ at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society on Jan. 23.

Submitted

Courtesy image

In honor of Noah Webster’s legacy of civic engagement, the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society strives to encourage people to be active in their community and come together to discuss complicated issues. An issue that touches all communities yet is often neglected in discussion is youth mental illness.

On Wednesday, Jan. 23, at 6 p.m., the museum will host author Julia Tannenbaum to discuss her debut novel, “Changing Ways.” The novel tackles the issue of youth mental illness from a very personal point-of-view: Tannenbaum herself has been battling mental illness since she was 13 years old.

Tannenbaum’s book follows Grace, a high school junior, who spirals into mental illness and must travel the tough road to recovery with the help of friends, family, and those she meets along the way. At times heart-warming and humorous, at other times painful to read, “Changing Ways” portrays the hardships of adolescence thoughtfully, authentically, and realistically.

Tannenbaum is currently an 18-year-old senior at Hall High School, but she began writing when she was in eighth grade. “Writing saved me,” she says. “If I didn’t have writing, I honestly don’t know if I would have found the strength to recover.”

In addition to writing, Tannenbaum is also an advocate for mental illness. She plans to share her novel, as well as her own personal journey, with her community because she knows young adults will relate whether they have struggled with mental disorders or not. “It’s more than a story of tragedy,” Tannenbaum said when asked about her book’s overarching message. “It’s also a story of hope.”

The author talk with Julia Tannenbaum will take place on Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, at 6 p.m., at the Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society, 227 South Main St., West Hartford, CT 06107. Tannenbaum will be selling and signing books at the event.

This is event is free and open to the public. No registration is required. The museum would like to thank the Greater Hartford Arts Council and Hartford Foundation for Public Giving for their ongoing support.

The Noah Webster House & West Hartford Historical Society is a cultural destination where citizens can learn to understand and appreciate the past. The museum preserves the birthplace of Noah Webster, the founding father, educator, author, and lexicographer who taught generations of Americans what it means to be American. This National Historic Landmark is also a repository for West Hartford’s history, the community that molded Noah Webster’s future, and is still thriving over 250 years later. The historic house and exhibit spaces are open daily 1 p.m. until 4 p.m. For more information on the museum’s extensive school and public programs, please visit www.noahwebsterhouse.org or call 860-521-5362.

Like what you see here? Click here to subscribe to We-Ha’s newsletter so you’ll always be in the know about what’s happening in West Hartford!