FARMINGTON — Author Laurel Mills, who grew up in Wilton, will read from her award-winning book of poems, Rumor of Hope, at 7 p.m. Thursday, July 25, at Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers.

The book was published by Encircle Publications of Farmington and was the winner of Encircle Publications Chapbook Contest.

“This collection of poems is brave and poignant. Written from the perspective of a mother whose daughter has the rare genetic condition 1p36 Deletion Syndrome, the poetic voice speaks to any nurturer, any parent, any caring soul. The reader is brought to the edge of metaphoric cliffs of chaos, love — and hope,” Cynthia Brackett-Vincent, Encircle editor, said.

Mills poems are about her daughter, Beth, 47, who was born in Farmington. The syndrome has left her intellectually disabled and with behavioral problems, including periods of aggression, Mills said.

“Beth has a unique and delightful personality, but she struggles daily to find her place in the world,” Mills said. “In Rumor of Hope, I’ve attempted to honestly chronicle her story and to share her exceptional journey with others.”

“Rumor of Hope” was awarded first place in the Wisconsin Fellowship of Poets chapbook competition. It was also selected for another award — the Wisconsin Library Association’s Outstanding Achievement Award — the third one this month, she said.

Mills is the author of four other award-winning poetry collections, and she has been published in magazines such as Yankee, Ms. and Calyx, and in anthologies including “Boomer Girls: Poems by Women from the Baby Boom Generation.” She is also the author of three published novels, including “Racing Toward Providence,” set in a fictional area inspired by Weld and Farmington.

Mills graduated from Wilton Academy in 1964 and attended the University of Maine at Farmington. She later completed her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Wisconsin, where she now lives. She is Senior Lecturer Emerita at the University of Wisconsin-Fox Valley, where she taught English and edited the literary magazine, Fox Cry Review.

Mills’ sister, Maureen Riggs, is a retired Wilton teacher, and another sister, Sherryl Porter, is a retired bookkeeper living in Lewiston. Mills and her brother, Brad Lothrop, return from the Midwest to Maine every year for the four siblings’ annual reunion, which includes attending the Wilton Blueberry Festival.

The poetry reading is free and open to the public. Mills will sign copies of Rumor of Hope, which will be for sale. Devaney Doak & Garrett Booksellers is located at 193 Broadway. For more information, call 778-3454.