SIDNEY — Katrina Kittle, author of “The Blessings of the Animals,” will be the guest speaker at the Sidney Shakespeare Club’s Christmas luncheon, Dec. 1, at noon, in the new Community Room of the Amos Memorial Public Library 230 E. North St.

It is open to the public; however, advance reservations are required. Tickets cost $15. No tickets will be sold at the door. Mail the names of people attending and checks to Kathy Westerheide, 1605 Westwood Drive, Sidney, OH 45365. Email for more information at [email protected].

“The Blessings of the Animals” is available for purchase at Readmore Hallmark, 430 N. Main St., Piqua, and online at Amazon. It is also available on the new app through Hoopla at the library. People attending the luncheon may take their books to be signed by Kittle or may buy books at the event.

Kittle was born in Illinois but has lived in the Dayton area since first grade. She attended Ohio University and was Outstanding Graduating Senior for both the English and Education departments. She taught high school English and theater at Centerville High School for five years, and she taught middle school English and theater at the Miami Valley School for six years. She earned a Master of Fine Arts in creative writing from Spalding University in Louisville.

“The Blessings of the Animals” was an Indie Next pick (August 2010), a Midwest Connections pick (September 2010), and chosen by the Women’s National Book Association as one of 10 Great Group Reads for National Book Group Month (October 2010).

Kittle is also the author of “Traveling Light,” “Two Truths and a Lie,” and “The Kindness of Strangers,” which was the winner of the 2006 Great Lakes Book Award for Fiction.

In accordance with the topic of the book, donations will be accepted for the Shelby County Animal Rescue Foundation to be used for veterinary care of animal shelter pets. Julie Ehemann, vice president of SCARF, will give a short overview of SCARF.