This week, Soman Chainani asks the big questions; David Barclay Moore tours for his debut novel; actress Quvenzhané Wallis debuts as an author; Salina Yoon and her Penguin character visit a book festival; Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright dine with booksellers; and Joan Dupont celebrates a black sheep.
What Would You Do?
Soman Chainani spoke to a group of more than 200 fifth and sixth grade students at Harman Elementary School in Dayton, Ohio. At the event, Chainani challenged the students to answer a moral and philosophical multiple-choice question: “If one of your classmates jabbed you with their training sword during Swordplay class, would you jab them back, tell the teacher, or challenge them to a private duel after class?” Quests for Glory, Chainani’s fourth book in the School for Good and Evil series, was published last month.
All Stars
David Barclay Moore, debut author of the middle grade novel The Stars Beneath Our Feet, visited Aux Sable Middle School in Joliet, Illinois on September 28. The event was part of Moore’s five-city tour for the book, which is about a boy growing up in Harlem who expresses himself creatively through Legos following the death of his brother.
A Night Out with Quvenzhane
Fourteen-year-old actress Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild) celebrated the launch of her first two books for young readers, A Night Out with Mama and Shai & Emmie Star in Break an Egg! (Simon & Schuster) on October 3, at Barnes & Noble Tribeca in New York City. In attendance was a group of girls from the Saving Our Daughters Boys & Girls Club of Harlem, who took home copies of Wallis’s (back center r.) books.
Once Upon a Penguin
Author-illustrator Salina Yoon read from her book Penguin and Pinecone at the Harbor Springs Festival of the Book, held in Harbor Springs, Mich., on September 30. Yoon offered attendees a drawing demonstration and was accompanied by her trusty travel companion, Penguin himself—sitting next to her in his orange scarf.
Double Dutch
Author-illustrator and husband-and-wife duo Kenneth and Sarah Jane Wright visited with California booksellers at the San Francisco restaurant Marlowe on September 27. The event was part of their pre-publication tour for their picture book, Lola Dutch (Bloomsbury, Jan. 2018). (From l.): Caitlin Jordan, Kepler’s Books; Alison Nolen, Linden Tree Books; Sarah Jane Wright; Bronwyn Gruet, the Reading Bug; Lizzy Mason, Bloomsbury; Clare Doornbos, Book Passage; Lauren Savage, the Reading Bug; Kenneth Wright; Shannon Mathis Grant, Books Inc.; and Suzi Hough, Hicklebee’s Children’s Books. Each bookseller wore a Lola Dutch-inspired red bow headband.
Feeling Sheepish
Author Joan Dupont attended an event at McNally Jackson Books in New York City on September 9. The event was for her picture book, Philippe the Black Sheep (Filsinger & Co.), about a lamb who works in a kitchen under the watchful eye of a cruel chef, and who dreams of becoming a painter. Dupont (seated) signed books for readers, who also took part in Philippe-themed activities at an art table, including creating menus for imaginary restaurants.
