This month, an author joined an actor for a reading of his book ahead of the film adaptation’s release, middle grade authors came together for a book launch, a picture book creator led an art activity, and a museum celebrated Banned Books Week.
Stars Collide
On September 13, the New York Public Library welcomed author Peter Brown and Academy Award-winning actor Lupita Nyong’o for a special reading of Brown’s middle grade trilogy starter The Wild Robot ahead of the premiere of the book’s film adaptation on September 27. Nyong’o stars in the DreamWorks animated film as Roz, a robot whose time stranded on an island amid a community of animals leads her to question her programming. To learn more about the film, see our Movie Alert.
Authors On the Case
Once Upon a Time Bookstore in Montrose, Calif., hosted James Ponti at the Sparr Heights Community Center in Glendale for the release of his middle grade mystery The Sherlock Society (S&S/Aladdin). The series starter follows siblings Alex and Zoe, founders of the titular investigative crew, on their first investigation. Ponti was joined by fellow middle grade writers Stuart Gibbs, Max Brallier, Sarah Mlynowski, and Julie Buxbaum for a conversation. Here (from l.) store manager Jessica Palacios, authors Mlynowski, Ponti, Buxbaum, Gibbs, Brailler, and Liz Lawler, with (from l. front row) Once Upon a Time teacher volunteer Kristen Valenzuela and owner Maureen Palacios.
Lead with Light
Author Diana Farid celebrated the release of her picture book The Light of Home (Orchard) with a storytime event at Linden Tree Books in Los Altos, Calif., on September 22. The picture book, illustrated by Hoda Hadadi, follows a forcibly displaced family that uses art to connect. Here Farid leads young guests in an art activity.
A Win for Freedom to Read
The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art in Amherst, Mass., kicked off Banned Books Week with events on September 22 welcoming readers and authors for a series of activities. Massachusetts State Representative Mindy Domb (c.) presented a citation to the Massachusetts Chapter of Authors Against Book Bans for their event, "Celebrate the Freedom to Read with Your Favorite Authors." (From l.): Gwen Agna, Mk Smith Despres, Sarah Prager, Gayle Forman, Mass. Representative Mindy Domb, Colleen AF Venable, Federico Erebia, Michelle Cusolito, Lesléa Newman, and Shelley Rotner celebrated a successful evening.
