Golden Guests

Newbery Medalists shone at the fifth annual Boston Book Festival, which was held in Copley Square October 17–19. (L. to r.) Jack Gantos (Dead End in Norvelt, FSG) Rebecca Stead (When You Reach Me, Random/Wendy Lamb) and Kate DiCamillo (The Tale of Despereaux, Candlewick) took part in an afterschool panel called Meet the Medalists, moderated by Megan Lambert (far r.) of the Center for the Study of Children’s Literature at Simmons College, which sponsored the event in conjunction with Boston Parents Paper.

In League for Literacy

On October 20, Kristen Kittscher, author of the spooky middle-grade mystery The Wig in the Window (Harper) was a guest at a Halloween-themed literacy fundraiser held at a Pasadena, Calif., philanthropist’s home. The event benefited Reading Partners, an organization that trains volunteer reading tutors. Kittscher became involved with Reading Partners through her work as a Pasadena-area writing teacher. Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose, Calif., teamed with the nonprofit to organize the fundraiser. In addition, for every copy of The Wig in the Window bought at the bookstore through the end of the year, 20 percent of the purchase price will go to Reading Partners. At the event, Kittscher (second from l.) greeted donors Fran Scoble (far l.), Patty Eisenberg (second from r.), and Judy Gain (far r.).

A Trip Down Memory Lane

Kate Adams, a former employee of Front Street Book Shop in Scituate, Mass., posed with her mother, Sheila, at the store’s display of Jonathan Stroud’s Lockwood & Co.: The Screaming Staircase (Disney-Hyperion). Adams is more than just a fan of the book – it’s the first one the 24-year-old Rhode Island School of Design graduate has illustrated. “Last Christmas we sold a line of cards she had done of characters from The Nutcracker,” said Front Street owner Margaret Patten. “They sold out instantly.” Adams worked at the bookstore during the summer and over Christmas while she was in high school and college.

Book Bandits

Matthew Cody signed copies of his middle-grade Robin Hood retelling, Will in Scarlet (Knopf), at McIntyre’s Books in Pittsboro, N.C., while visiting schools in the Chapel Hill area. At the event, bookstore employees and friends surprised Cody by dressing up as Sherwood Forest bandits. (L. to r.): Eric Juengst, the friend who crafted the armor; bookseller Pete Mock; Katherine Pinard, children’s book buyer; owner Keebe Fitch; and bookseller Lucia Cowles.

Not So ‘Nameless’

Joshua Dread series author Lee Bacon recently visited Creek View Elementary school in his hometown of College Station, Tex. Bacon was in the area after appearing at the Tweens Read Festival in Houston on October 19, where he spoke on a panel about writing adventure stories. Delacorte released the second book in the series, Joshua Dread: The Nameless Hero, in September. Upon arriving at the school to discuss writing and reading with Creek View kids, Bacon came face-to-face with a life-size portrait of himself, created by students.

That’s the Key!

After speaking to thousands of children at elementary school assemblies throughout Henderson, Nev., author and illustrator Hans Wilhelm (r.), creator of the Noodles and Bunny Trouble books, among many others, was presented with the key to the city by Mayor Andy Hafen at the Paseo Verde Library on October 17. Wilhelm was the guest author at the Celebration of Reading, a three-day festival held annually by the city of Henderson in conjunction with Henderson District Public Libraries, Clark County School Districts, and local bookstores.