This week, a middle-grade novel inspires a charity drive; young readers line up for “dangerous” nonfiction; an author prepares for his reading in style; an ex-president and author share a moment; two authors go on a Midwest adventure; and an author adds “milliner” to her resume.
United for a Cause
Macmillan employees celebrated the launch of their Crenshaw Food Drive on October 1, which they are conducting in tandem with 115 bookstores across the nation. All the food that Macmillan collects at the Flatiron building will go to City Harvest, while each bookstore will collect food for local charities. The idea was inspired by Katherine Applegate’s Crenshaw, which features a protagonist whose family is struggling with poverty. Here (from l.) Mary Van Akin, Ashley Woodfolk, Kelly McGauley, Caitlin Sweeny, and Katie Halata present the first of their donations.
What Your Schoolbooks Don’t Tell You
Author Steve Sheinkin is currently on a 10-day tour for his nonfiction book Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War (Roaring Brook), visiting bookstores, conferences, and book festivals in seven cities. At Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C., Sheinkin signed copies of Most Dangerous and other books including Two Miserable Presidents: Everything Your Schoolbooks Didn’t Tell You About the Civil War (Square Fish) for eager nonfiction fans.
Don’t Russ-ian!
M.T. Anderson enjoyed a Moscow Mule before reading from his new book Symphony for the City of the Dead (Candlewick), which tells the story behind Russian composer Dmitri Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 7 and the Siege of Leningrad. The event was held on September 23 at the KGB Bar in New York City, which – fittingly – is a Soviet-themed establishment.
Un-Presidented!
Megan McDonald attended events in Rapid City and Deadwood, S. Dak., as part of the South Dakota Book Festival and their Young Readers One Book program. McDonald was the program’s featured author for 2015. Thousands of copies of Stink: Twice as Incredible (Candlewick) were distributed to South Dakota students through the South Dakota Humanities Council and the South Dakota Center for the Book. While in Rapid City on September 24, McDonald took in some of the local attractions, including the sculptures of presidents – like James Madison here - that are featured throughout the city.
Lost and Found
Macmillan authors (l. to r.) Shelley Tougas (Finders Keepers, Roaring Brook) and S.A. Bodeen (Lost, Feiwel and Friends) hit the road for their Adventures from the Middle Tour, making stops at schools and independent bookstores throughout Minnesota and Wisconsin from September 12-20. Seen here, the duo visit Books and Company in Oconomowoc, Wis.
An Author of Many Hats
At the Southern Independent Booksellers Alliance trade show in Raleigh, N.C., on Sept. 20, author Joan Holub displayed three of her new books, The Knights Before Christmas (Holt); Mini Myths #5: Be Careful Icarus! (Abrams Appleseed); and Goddess Girls #17: Amphitrite the Bubbly (Simon & Schuster). She also showed off her homemade hats, themed after the books. Here, she dons her Knights Before Christmas headpiece.
