Winthrop High alum Steven Rubin celebrates debut novel and class reunion

For Steven M. Rubin, all roads lead back to Winthrop.

A 1979 graduate of Winthrop High School, Rubin is returning to his North Shore roots this month for a double celebration: a milestone class reunion and the hometown signing of his critically acclaimed debut novel, “The Unraveling of Michael Galler.”

During his time at WHS, Rubin was a familiar face on the local athletic fields, competing as a three-sport athlete across North Shore cities and towns. He took that competitive drive to the University of Pennsylvania, where he played football, before embarking on a successful career in consulting. After years of living in the Boston suburbs, Rubin eventually settled in Connecticut—but his hometown never left his heart.

Published this past May, *The Unraveling of Michael Galler* is a psychological family drama deeply infused with local DNA. The story is set against the familiar backdrops of the North Shore and the inner city of Boston. It follows a young protagonist grappling with profound inner fears, ultimately using the grueling crucible of the Boston Marathon to forge his own fate.

This summer, the book earned spots on several prestigious reading lists, including:

• CT Insider’s "New books by Connecticut authors to add to your summer reading list"

• The Philadelphia Inquirer’s "5 books by authors with ties to Philadelphia to take to the shore"

• SheReads Magazine’s "Family dramas that will tug at your heart strings"

Now, Winthrop residents have the chance to welcome back one of their own and pick up a copy of the celebrated novel. On Saturday, August 29, Rubin will host a book signing from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Winthrop Book Depot and Café.

The celebration won't stop there. Later that same evening, Rubin will head over to the Winthrop Elks to reconnect with old friends at a special "65th Birthday Party" reunion for the WHS Class of 1979.

Whether you remember him from his days in a Vikings uniform, or you're just a local reader looking for a gripping North Shore drama, be sure to stop by the Book Depot to say hello and celebrate a Winthrop native’s next great chapter.