Recently, authors came together for an event, a record-breaking pilot made an appearance on TV, middle grade authors held a conversation, young readers enjoyed a storytime, an author made school visits, and readers enjoyed a book launch.
Gather Round, Friends
On February 3, Renée Watson (r.) made an appearance at Recirculation, a Word Up Community Bookshop project in New York City, to launch her new middle grade novel All the Blues in the Sky (Bloomsbury). The novel follows Sage, who is grappling with guilt and grief after the death of her best friend. Jason Reynolds (l.) joined Watson for a conversation on craft and writing about young people. The event closed with a book signing.
Flying High
Captain Barrington Irving (r.) and Chana Stiefel (l.) made an appearance at the Intrepid Museum in New York City on February 3 for an interview with Craig Melvin (c.) on Today to celebrate the release of Let’s Fly: Barrington Irving's Record-Breaking Flight Around the World, illustrated by Shamar Knight-Justice (Dial). The picture book highlights the achievements of Barrington Irving, who broke records as the youngest person and first Black man to fly around the world solo.
New Readers Calling
The Chevy Chase Library in Washington, D.C., gave James Ponti a warm welcome on February 4 as he celebrated the release of London Calling, the sixth installment of the City Spies series (Aladdin). The latest addition centers on Cairo, the newest member of the City Spies, who must take the lead on a case when his sister vanishes. The event, which was organized by local bookstore Politics & Prose, featured Ponti in conversation with fellow children’s author Katherine Marsh, followed by a q&a and book signing.
An Author Makes a Friend
Back Cove Books in Portland, Maine, welcomed local author Phuc Tran for the launch of Cranky Makes a Friend, illustrated by Pete Oswald (HarperCollins). Tran gave a storytime to attendees and signed copies for guests.
Watch This!
Lindsay Currie made school visits to celebrate the launch of her new middle grade novel It’s Watching (Delacorte). Here, Currie presents to fifth-grade students at Central Elementary in St. Charles, Mo., arranged by Main Street Books. The local bookstore donated copies for each student via the Main Street Books Literacy Foundation.
An Author’s Wish
Meera Trehan (l.) dropped by Scrawl Books in Reston, Va., on February 6 to celebrate the release of her middle grade novel Snow (Walker Books US). The story follows a princess without a kingdom due to a wish that backfired, and Ela, a girl who stumbles upon the princess’s kingdom as proof that the wish can be undone. Trehan was joined in conversation by fellow middle grade author Leah Henderson (r.).
