This month authors appeared on the morning news; an artist visited schools with familial ties; a nonprofit brought access to books to the local community; an author highlighted queer books at their release; a picture book writer hosted a read-aloud; and authors held small concerts at book launches.
On the Big Screen
On September 23, author Angie Thomas (c.) appeared on CBS Mornings with co-host Nate Burleson (l.) and Gayle King (r.) to discuss On the Come Up, the film adaptation of her bestselling novel, and share thoughts about the increasing waves of book bans across the country. On the Come Up is available for viewing on streaming app Paramount+ and in select theaters.
Serendipitous School Visit
Visual artist Katie Yamasaki launched her latest picture book, a biography of her grandfather, famed architect Minoru Yamasaki, Shapes, Lines, and Light: My Grandfather’s American Journey (Norton), with a day of school visits in Katy, Tex. On September 26, Yamasaki visited Keiko Davidson Elementary school, named after Keiko Yamasaki Davidson, Katie’s cousin and the niece of Katie’s grandfather. The author spoke with more than 500 students about Minoru Yamasaki’s life and work, and his influence on architecture. Yamasaki (m.) is pictured here with Keiko Yamasaki Davidson (l.) and Keiko’s daughter, Carolyn Bauerschlag (r.).
New Books for New Orleans
The Little Free Library's Read in Color program is partnering with local organizations Youth Empowerment Project, One Book One New Orleans, and the YMCA to bring 3,000 diverse books and 10 Little Free Libraries to New Orleans. To commemorate the occasion, on September 27, YEP East Opportunity Center held a ribbon-cutting ceremony, including special remarks and a book giveaway.
Queer YA Celebration
Books of Wonder in New York City welcomed National Book Award-winner Kacen Callender for their Queer YA panel celebrating their latest novel Lark & Kasim Start a Revolution (Amulet) on September 26. The panel featured Callender (bottom r.), Mason Deaver (top l.), Aiden Thomas (top c.), and Adam Sass (bottom l.), who discussed inspiration, their writing processes, and favorite tropes and themes.
A Jam-Packed Read-Aloud
On September 7 author Emily Kilgore celebrated the release of her picture book The Iheards, illustrated by Zoe Persico (Little Bee Books), with a launch event at the Red Balloon Bookshop in St. Paul, Minn. Kilgore read aloud to a standing room only crowd; it was one of the bookstore’s best attended events since the pandemic.
Hold On
Author Sophia N. Lee (r.) and illustrator Isabel Roxas (l.) celebrated the release of their picture book Holding On (Simon & Schuster) with an event at the Bergenfield Public Library in Bergenfield, N.J., on September 17. The event included a story time, an activity creating comics about summer memories, and ukulele artists performing for an intimate mini concert.
