This week, authors remember 9/11 and the impact that day had on our lives; Fierce Reads celebrates love and Black spaces in the book world; and Kathi Appelt hitches a ride on top of an unexpected friend.
Remembering History
On August 24, Bookshop Santa Cruz hosted various local schools for a virtual event featuring Lauren Tarshis and Corey Egbert—the author and illustrator of I Survived: The Attacks of September 11, 2001 (Graphix)—and Marcie Colleen and Aaron Becker—the author and illustrator of Survivor Tree (Little, Brown). During the event, which centered on 9/11, creators discussed the inspirations behind their books, their artistic processes, and the importance of preserving history. Tarshis reminded children that they themselves are currently living through history.
Big Apple Memories
Alyssa Bermudez (r.) had a virtual discussion on August 19, hosted by Word Up! in the Bronx. The event celebrated the launch of her middle grade graphic memoir, Big Apple Diaries (Roaring Brook). Inspired by her childhood diaries, the book follows young Alyssa as she grows up in New York City before, during, and after the September 11 attacks. Bermudez was joined in conversation with fellow middle-grade author Remy Lai (Pawcasso, Holt).
Book Your Perfect Match
Scholastic partnered with Bookstore Romance Day and Savoy Bookshop (in Westerly, R.I.) on August 22 for “Book Your Perfect Match.” The panel featured authors (clockwise from top l.) Leah Johnson (Rise to the Sun), Brianna Bourne (You & Me at the End of the World), Jay Coles (Things We Couldn’t Say), Debbie Rigaud (Simone Breaks All the Rules), and Molly Knox Ostertag (The Girl from the Sea). Due to a power outage caused by Hurricane Henri, the planned moderator was not able to join the panel. As a result, Johnson took over as moderator, asking about the authors’ books, characters, and writing romances, before launching into audience questions.
Celebrating Black Books and Bookstores
Fierce Reads hosted an IG Live series called Celebrating Black-Owned Indie Bookstores. As part of this series, every evening from August 16–20, Fierce Reads authors teamed up with Black-owned indie bookstores for a book discussions, bookstore promotions, and more. Participating authors included Crystal M. Fleming (Rise Up!), Bethany C. Morrow (So Many Beginnings), Randi Pink (Angel of Greenwood), K. Ancrum (Darling), and Amber McBride (Me (Moth)).
Posing for the Camel-ra
Kathi Appelt displayed her new novel, Once Upon a Camel (Atheneum/Dlouhy), on top of Richard the camel at Texas Camel Corps, a camel farm located north of Waco, Tex. Publishing on September 7, the book follows an old camel that ventures out to save two baby kestrel chicks during a massive storm in the Texas desert.
