This week, Renée Watson speaks at the New York Public Library; Susanna Reich and Adam Gustavson welcome their Pete Seeger picture book; three authors kick off their joint book tour; and Alyson Gerber celebrates the release of her middle grade debut.

All Together Now!

Author Renée Watson spoke at the New York Public Library’s Schomburg Center on March 25, as part of the Schomburg Junior Scholars Program for kids in grades 5–12. Watson spoke about her most recent novel, Piecing Me Together (Bloomsbury), poetry, the experiences of black girls in schools, and her own upbringing in the Pacific Northwest. Here, Watson (back row, fifth from l.) is joined by Schomburg Junior Scholars and program staff.

Power to the (Picture Book) People

Illustrator Adam Gustavson (l.) and author Susanna Reich celebrated the release of their picture book Stand Up and Sing! Pete Seeger, Folk Music, and the Path to Justice on March 24 at the Village Bookstore in Pleasantville, N.Y. Joining Gustavson and Reich is Gary Golio, Susanna’s husband and author of Strange Fruit: Billie Holiday and the Power of a Protest Song, and (behind the counter) Roy Solomon, owner of the store.

Girls Read!

Aladdin authors (from l.) Gail Nall (Out of Tune), Stephanie Faris (the Piper Morgan books), and Debbie Dadey (the Mermaid Tale books) made their first stop on their “Girls Read!” tour on March 24. The event was held at Blue Marble Books in Fort Thomas, Ky. Here, the authors are joined by 5-year-old Elena (left) and 8-year-old Hannah.

Em-braced

Alyson Gerber celebrated the release of her debut middle grade novel Braced (Scholastic/Levine) at McNally Jackson Books in New York City on March 28. The book follows a 12-year-old girl’s experience with scoliosis and having to wear a plastic back brace. Gerber herself wore a back brace for scoliosis from ages 11–13. Here, she signs a book for a fan.