‘Usher’ing In a Love of Reading
Musical artist, Usher (center), read Leo and Diane Dillon’s If Kids Ran the World (Scholastic/Blue Sky) to New York City children on September 4 as part of Scholastic’s new reading initiative, Open a World of Possible, which promotes a love of reading and literacy for kids, families, and communities. On November 6, Usher will participate in a live webcast from Scholastic headquarters, to share his enthusiasm for books and to encourage parents and teachers to become reading mentors for kids.
A Very Happy Reading
On September 10, Gayle Forman (l.) and Stephanie Perkins read from their respective novels, Where She Went and Isla and the Happily Ever After (Dutton) at McNally Jackson, as part of Perkins’s book tour. More than 80 people attended, including members of the Forever Young Adult book club, a community of adult YA fans. Perkins and Forman signed books for over two hours following the reading.
Breaking the Ice
David Zeltser, debut author of Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age (Egmont, Sept.), had his launch party at Warwick’s Bookstore in La Jolla, Calif., on September 9. Here Zeltser (center) is joined by Warwick’s children’s department manager, Lydia Sparksworthy (l.) and two fans. Lug, Dawn of the Ice Age also received a vice-presidential stamp of approval earlier in the day: Al Gore tweeted about the ecologically minded novel, which Zeltser wrote in part to get kids talking about climate change. The second book in the series is planned for fall 2015.
A ‘Wonder’ful Day
R.J. Palacio met with readers at Barnes & Noble in Manhattan’s Tribeca neighborhood during her launch party for 365 Days of Wonder: Mr. Browne’s Book of Precepts, a companion book to her novel, Wonder. During the event, Palacio read from the book of inspiring sayings before answering audience questions and signing books.
