Framingham Reads Together: One Community, One Book
FRT 2024 Selection: The Daughters of Yalta
by Catherine Grace Katz
April 2024
Framingham Reads Together is a shared community experience around one book, The Daughters of Yalta. This is our seventh “one book, one community” initiative.
Framingham Reads Together is an initiative of:
Framingham Public Library, The Friends of the Framingham Library, Framingham History Center, The Danforth Museum, Framingham State University, Framingham Public Schools and The City of Framingham.
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About the Book
The untold story of the three intelligent and glamorous young women who accompanied their famous fathers to the Yalta Conference in February 1945, and of the conference’s fateful reverberations in the waning days of World War II.
Tensions during the Yalta Conference in February 1945 threatened to tear apart the wartime alliance among Franklin Roosevelt, Winston Churchill, and Joseph Stalin just as victory was close at hand. Catherine Grace Katz uncovers the dramatic story of the three young women who were chosen by their fathers to travel with them to Yalta, each bound by fierce family loyalty, political savvy, and intertwined romances that powerfully colored these crucial days.
Kathleen Harriman was a champion skier, war correspondent, and daughter of U.S. Ambassador to the Soviet Union Averell Harriman. Sarah Churchill, an actress-turned-RAF officer, was devoted to her brilliant father, who depended on her astute political mind. Roosevelt’s only daughter, Anna, chosen instead of her mother Eleanor to accompany the president to Yalta, arrived there as keeper of her father’s most damaging secrets. Situated in the political maelstrom that marked the transition to a post- war world, The Daughters of Yalta is a remarkable story of fathers and daughters whose relationships were tested and strengthened by the history they witnessed and the future they crafted together.
Print copies, ebooks and digital audiobooks for free download are available HERE in our catalog
About Catherine Grace Katz
Catherine Grace Katz is a writer and historian from Chicago. She graduated from Harvard in 2013 with a BA in History and received her MPhil in Modern European History from Christ’s College, University of Cambridge in 2014, where she wrote her dissertation on the origins of modern counterintelligence practices. After graduating, Catherine worked in finance in New York City before a very fortuitous visit to the book store in the lobby of her office in Manhattan led her to return to history and writing. She received her JD from Harvard Law School in May 2023. The Daughters of Yalta is her first book.
2024 Programs
Venues and Registration
Please note venue(s) for each event:
Registration is required for some events as noted. For Youtube Streaming events, you are welcome to join us in person or stream live on: www.youtube.com/framinghampubliclibrary.
K-Pop Swing Dance
Saturday, March 30, 2PM | Main Library, Costin Room | Grades 6-12
Celebrate the trends of the 1940's and the music of today by learning some West Coast Swing dance set to K-Pop music! The Dancing Fools teach an hour long dance lesson followed by some free dance time to practice your new moves. Space is limited! Register here.
Storywalk: “Code Breaker, Spy Hunter: How Elizabeth Friedman Changed the Course of Two World Wars” by Laurie Wallmark
April 1-30 | Cushing Memorial Park | All Ages
Decode the story of Elizabeth Friedman, the cryptologist who took down gangsters and Nazi spies in this picture book biography.
Captain America. Superman. Wonder Woman. It was during the course of WWII that these and other icons of pop culture first gained their mighty momentum within their original medium of comic books. So join us as we discuss the rise of the Super Hero in the Golden Age of comics and how they were shaped forevermore by the events of the Big One. Then, have fun with some hands-on comic book and character creativity while the original film exploits of a certain Star-Spangled Avenger are shown on screen! Be there or be square.
Victory Garden: ‘Peas’ on Earth
Tuesday, April 16, 2PM | McAuliffe Branch Library, Craft Room & Garden | All Ages
Learn about the history of Victory Gardens while we plant peas and other vegetables in our very own McAuliffe Gardens! Then browse our Seed Library to start your own Victory Garden at home.
Through Their Eyes: Artifacts & Stories of Framingham’s Role in World War II
Framingham Reads Together Partner Event with Framingham History Center
Tuesday, April 16, 7PM | Village Hall on the Common
Join us for a captivating journey back in time as the Framingham History Center presents "Through Their Eyes: Artifacts & Stories of Framingham’s Role in World War II." Explore the multifaceted narratives of World War II, from the home front to the battlefront, through personal letters, military uniforms, photographs, and other ephemera from the FHC’s extensive 10,000-piece archive and artifact collection.
Discover the stories of resilience, sacrifice, and hope as the FHC highlights themes of immigration, community mobilization, and the everyday lives of those who lived through the turmoil. Led by FHC Executive Director Anna Tucker, this talk aims to inspire reflection on the impacts of war on individuals and communities, inviting attendees to connect with the past in a profound and personal way.
Art Noletti Film Series: The 39 Steps
Wednesday, April 17, 1PM | Main Library, Costin Room
Get an introduction to Hitchcock’s film The 39 Steps, a screening, and a post-screening discussion led by Dr. Arthur Nolletti, Jr., Professor Emeritus of English and Film Studies at FSU.
Arsenal of Democracy: The War Effort on the Home Front
Wednesday, April 17, 7PM | Main Library, Costin Room
On December 29,1940, President Roosevelt addresses the nation with one of his famous fireside chats, “Great Arsenal of Democracy,”. Almost a year later Pearl Harbor is attacked, and the United States enters World War 2. President Roosevelt even at that time is addressing the concerns of the Nazis and Imperial Japan. It called upon America to be prepared for an emergency in case the Axis powers threatened the US. Calling upon our industry to prepare for defense of the nation. When the US declared war on Japan and Germany by February 1942 America’s industry had switched to war production virtually overnight.
Jim Carroll is a Learning and Development professional at Comcast NBCUniversal with over 26 years of experience training adult learners. He is also the American Heritage Museum’s Education Coordinator, ramping up and developing their educational programs for visitors of all ages for the past two years. He graduated from Fitchburg State College with a B.A. Ed. in History Education. He started as a high school History teacher before moving on to the National Park Service. He served at both Lowell NHP and Minuteman NHP developing educational programs and museum workshops at the Tsongas Industrial History Center in Lowell, MA. His community contributions have included serving as a member of the Lowell Historical Society and until recently the Sterling Historical Commission Board Member.
Intermediate Kids’ Sewing Workshop: Aprons
Thursday, April 18, 1PM | McAuliffe Branch Library, Community Room | Grades 4-8
Make an apron and learn about Julia Child during WW2 creating her “first” recipe. Take home a 1940’s recipe to make later! Space and supplies are limited. Register here.
Reflecting on the Yalta Conference: Success or Failure?
Thursday, April 18, 7PM | Main Library, Costin Room
Join Dr. David Smailes, Associate Professor of Political Science at FSU, to discuss the Yalta Conference and address some fundamental questions about the meeting of the “Big Three” (Churchill, Roosevelt and Stalin). We cover why the Yalta Conference was called, the goals the three leaders hoped to achieve and the Conference, and an evaluation of whether the Conference achieved those goals. We will also reflect on how the death of President Franklin Roosevelt changed the political landscape following the Yalta meeting.
FRT Presents: Daughters of Yalta Author Talk with Catherine Grace Katz
Saturday, April 20, 10AM | Barbieri Elementary School
Come for a talk with The Daughters of Yalta author Catherine Grace Katz.
Intermediate Kids’ Sewing Workshop: Aprons
Saturday, April 20, 2PM | Main Library, Spark Lab | Grades 4-8
Make an apron and learn about Julia Child during WW2 creating her “first” recipe. Take home a 1940’s recipe to make later! Space and supplies are limited. Register now!
Sunday Spotlight: Dellie the Riveter: The Story of an African American WWII Homefront Warrior
Sunday, April 21, 3PM | Danforth Art Museum and School, 14 Vernon Street
Exhibiting artist Jennifer Davis Carey gives voice to untold stories in her American Histories series. Multiple works in this series explore the lived experiences of her grandmother, Dellie. In one piece, Carey assembles her grandmother’s personal items which share an aspect of the United States Home Front during WWII. Join Katherine Tako-Girard, Learning & Engagement Coordinator, in a discussion about Carey’s Dellie the Riveter. This piece brings attention to Black Rosie Riveters and Dellie’s contribution to the war effort at the Brooklyn Navy Yard during WWII.
This program is a collaboration with Framingham Reads Together.
Art Noletti Film Series: Notorious
Wednesday, April 24, 1PM | Main Library, Costin Room
Get an introduction to Hitchcock’s film Notorious, a screening, and a post-screening discussion led by Dr. Arthur Nolletti, Jr., Professor Emeritus of English and Film Studies at FSU.
Code Breaking
Wednesday, April 24, 6PM | Main Library, Spark Lab | Ages 8+
Learn about code breakers throughout World Wars and how to decipher codes.
McAuliffe Branch Library Morning Book Discussion: The Daughters of Yalta
Thursday, April 25, 10AM | McAuliffe Branch Library, Community Room / Zoom
For the Zoom link, register at bit.ly/FPL-Events.For the Zoom link, register at bit.ly/FPL-Events.
She Can Do It: Real/'Reel' Women and Mid-Century Mysteries
Thursday, April 25, 7PM | McAuliffe Branch Library, Community Room
Join Massachusetts suspense authors Janet Raye Stevens and Sharon Healy-Yang for an engaging, multi-media event revealing some intriguing inspirations for creating a mystery set circa WWII. Using film clips, anecdotes, and excerpts from their books, Janet and Sharon will talk about 1940s women in real as well as reel life and how these smart, stylish, and wise-cracking gals in books and film inspired their own 1940s-set mysteries. If you love mysteries, movies, and lots of banter, don’t miss it!
Greater Worcester Opera Presents the Sounds of the 1940’s
Sunday, April 28, 3PM | Main Library, Costin Room
Greater Worcester Opera presents beautiful, meaningful, and sometimes a bit silly, music from the 1940's. Springing from the joys and sorrows of wartime, this music expressed the heart and soul of those who found themselves in difficult times, doing their duty and longing for peace. Featuring our wonderful singers, accompanied by Olga Rogach and narrated by Aldo Fabrizi.