BELFAST, Maine  — Beyond the Sea will host author Eva Murray, for a talk, question and answer, and book signing, of her new release, Island Schoolhouse: One Room for All, from 1:30-4:30 p.m. Friday, Oct. 5, at 74 Main Street.

On six remote, windblown Maine islands, the children are still educated in one-room schools. After two mainland one-room schools closed in 2009, these islands maintain the last taxpayer-funded public one-room elementary schools in the state. But despite very small student populations and sometimes shrinking communities, these remaining schools are not slated to close. Consolidation is impractical, a daily commute is usually impossible.

Author Eva Murray moved to Matinicus in 1987 to teach in the one room school, married and raised a family on the island, and has served on the school board and volunteered in the school.

For more information, email inquiries to Nanette, info@BeyondTheSeaMaine.com, call 207-338-2100, or visit Facebook.com/BeyondTheSeaMaine.