This week, Jacqueline Woodson kicks off AWP festivities; the Magic Tree House series hits a milestone; Ellen Hopkins meets some grown-up fans; Robert Beatty celebrates a day of reading; a debut author takes flight; and Kate O’Hearn dresses up.
A Luminous Event
Jacqueline Woodson spoke at a gala celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Association of Writers & Writing Programs (AWP) held on February 8. The event took place the evening before the start of AWP’s annual conference in Washington, D.C. Woodson read an excerpt from her Newbery Honor book Brown Girl Dreaming and spoke about the many significant changes in the world since the founding of AWP, as well as about her upbringing in the segregated south: “Fifty years ago, a black woman like me could not have walked through the front door of this hotel,” she said, much less speak to such a large gathering of literary luminaries.
Twenty-Five Years of Magic
The Random House Children’s Books team honored Mary Pope Osborne and illustrator Sal Murdocca on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Magic Tree House series, in a celebration held at Random House offices on February 8. The group also toasted Murdocca, who announced his retirement, as well as the launch of a rebranding for the series. From left: Will Osborne (Mary’s husband); Mary Pope Osborne; series editor Mallory Loehr; Sal Murdocca; and Natalie Pope Boyce (Mary’s sister). Also joining the group were cut-outs of the series’ protagonists, Jack and Annie.
Library Ladies
While on a two-week tour for her new YA novel, The You I’ve Never Known, Ellen Hopkins paid a visit to Huntington Beach High School in Huntington Beach, Calif., on January 27. Here, she is joined by the school’s librarians and media specialists, who are also all big fans. Flanking Hopkins on the left are Stephanie Taylor and Jen Jackson, and on the right are Tonie Procter and Emmi Seminara.
Well Read
Disney celebrated its second annual Disney Reads Day on February 4 with events at Barnes & Noble and Disney Store locations nationwide. Disney Reads Day is connected to the company’s Magic of Storytelling campaign, during which Disney plans to donate one million books to First Book. Author Robert Beatty took part in Disney Reads Day by meeting fans and reading the first three chapters of the third title in his Serafina series, Serafina and the Splintered Heart, to fans at Barnes & Noble in Knoxville, Tenn.
Birds of a Feather
Debut author Sally Pla celebrated the release of her novel The Someday Birds with a unique event held at the San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center in Cardiff-by-the-Sea, Calif. More than 100 guests attended the book reception and book signing, which also included a bird-watching walk around the San Elijo Lagoon. Here, attendees embark on their bird-watching expedition, with Pla (center) holding her book.
Book Tour of the Valkyries
Author Kate O’Hearn came dressed in full costume regalia on January 24 to Bon Lin Elementary school in Bartlett, Tenn., to promote The Runaway, the second book in her Valkyrie series. Here, she is joined by Barnes & Noble bookseller Mandy Henley-Bouk.
