Last month, author James Ponti hit the road to celebrate the release of City of the Dead (Aladdin), the fourth book in his middle grade City Spies series. Ponti traveled to nine states and appeared at more than 15 schools, in addition to participating in both in-person and digital events with a number of fellow authors. We’ve rounded up highlights from his tour here.


Blue Willow Bookshop hosted a virtual launch event for City of the Dead featuring a conversation between Ponti (above) and author Kelly Yang (below).


Ponti (r.) visited Asheville, N.C., bookstore Malaprop’s for an event with author Alan Gratz (l.).


Ponti posing with the sign outside Malaprop’s highlighting his event.


RJ Julia in Madison, Conn., welcomed Ponti for an event that also featured author Lauren Tarshis.


Ponti (c.) was joined by Chris Grabenstein (l.) and Karina Yan Glaser (r.) at New York City bookstore Books of Wonder for a conversation about their novels.


Ponti with a welcome poster designed by students for a school visit hosted by Minneapolis bookstore Wild Rumpus.


Ponti (r.) made an appearance at Wild Rumpus for a tour stop that featured author Jacqueline West (l.).


Ponti with Wild Rumpus booksellers.


Ponti (l.) and author Kwame Mbalia (r.) signed books after their discussion at Quail Ridge Books in Raleigh, N.C.


Ponti prepares for his event at Politics and Prose in Washington, D.C.


In partnership with nonprofit An Open Book Foundation, Ponti (l.) appeared at Washington D.C.-area schools DC Prep: Edgewood Middle Campus and McKinley Middle School. Here he celebrates a successful visit, with school librarian Adrian King.


Ponti made a very fitting visit to Washington’s International Spy Museum.


Ponti signing books at Lake Highland Preparatory School in Winter Park, Fla. .


During his visit to Lake Highland Preparatory School, Ponti (r.) held a conversation with Newbery Medalist Jerry Craft (l.).