This week, D.C. kids get the Dork Diaries treatment; Adam Silvera welcomes a special guest to his book release; Ruby Shamir celebrates America’s past First Ladies; Jerry Spinelli picks up the mic; and a publishing staffer passes a milestone.

May the ‘Dork’ Be with You

Rachel Renée Russell visited Excel Academy in Washington, D.C. on January 13 with her daughter Nikki, who illustrates the Dork Diary series. As they do at every event, Nikki “dorkified” several of the students in attendance.

History in the Making

On January 16, Adam Silvera celebrated the release of his YA novel History Is All You Left Me, held at Books of Wonder in Manhattan. Of the 200-plus guests in attendance was Dontae Fox, who won a contest for people who preordered the book and traveled from his home on the Blackfeet Indian Reservation in Browning, Mont., to New York City, marking his first-ever plane ride. From left, booktubers EmmaBooks and MikeBookLion, who cohosted the event; Silvera; Alana Scheck (Dontae’s guest, also from Montana); and Dontae.

On Air

Author Jerry Spinelli took part in an interview with National Public Radio at WHYY studios in Philadelphia on January 4. During the interview, the author spoke about writing, inspirations, and his new novel, The Warden’s Daughter. The full interview aired on January 8 on Weekend Edition Sunday.

Ten Years and Counting!

Chrissy Noh, director of marketing at Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing, recently reached her 10 -year anniversary with the company. On January 6, colleagues celebrated Noh’s many years with the publisher.

First Ladies First

Author Ruby Shamir welcomed guests to the launch party for What’s the Big Deal About First Ladies held at Books of Wonder on January 8. During the event, she spoke about her inspiration for the book and the role of famous first ladies throughout history.