This week, Neil Patrick Harris brings down the house; Tyler Knott Gregson and Sarah Linden are on a book-giving mission; the CBC holds its annual book wrapping party; author Farah Oomerbhoy visits with Big Brothers and Sisters in New York City; and author Russell Ginns takes a spin around the country.

A Magical Night

Neil Patrick Harris wowed fans at an event at Symphony Space in New York City on December 4. Harris spoke with YA author Maureen Johnson about his debut middle grade novel, The Magic Misfits (Little, Brown), as well as the many hats he wears as an actor, writer, producer, and father. Harris read from The Magic Misfits—even reading a portion as Count Olaf. The night closed out with one of Harris’s magic tricks.

Mission: Book Donations!

Toys for Tots volunteers from the U.S. Marine Corps joined co-authors Tyler Knott Gregson and Sarah Linden at 4 Kids Books & Toys in Indianapolis. They celebrated Penguin Young Readers’ donation of 10,000 copies of Gregson and Linden’s North Pole Ninjas: Mission: Christmas! to the charity. A portion of the donated books are being distributed at the store. (From l.): Tyler Knott Gregson, Sarah Linden, 4 Kids & Toys owner Cynthia Compton, Santa’s Sensei costume character, and Marine Corps volunteers.

That’s a Wrap!

The Children’s Book Council’s Early Career Committee and Diversity Committee teamed with YPG Cares and the Women’s National Book Association for their annual book drive and book-wrapping party. The event was held at the CBC offices in New York City on November 30. The book donations this year went to the nonprofit organizations Behind the Book and Community Caregivers.

Shining Bright

Fantasy YA author Farah Oomerbhoy recently performed a live reading from books one and two of her Avalonia Chronicles. The event took place at the headquarters of Big Brothers and Sisters of New York City and was held to help support Oomerbhoy’s charity #ShineLikeAurora, which aims to empower girls. Here Oomerbhoy, who is based in Mumbai, signs a book for a fan.

Any Way You Spin It

Russell Ginns, debut author of Samantha Spinner and the Super-Secret Plans (Delacorte), recently went on tour in the San Francisco area, Seattle, Chicago, and Philadelphia. Ginns visited schools and attended dinners with educators and librarians to spread the word about his book. While visiting Cornell Elementary School in Albany, Calif., Ginns played a game with readers using his custom umbrella prize wheel (umbrellas are an important symbol in the book).