Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander recently embarked on a month-long tour in celebration of the release of Rebound, prequel to his 2014 novel-in-verse, The Crossover. Alexander traveled to bookstores and libraries across the country aboard a bus featuring artwork from the new book cover. The author also visited schools and surprised students and teachers by picking them up to go to events. We’ve gathered a selection of highlights from the tour.

The author appeared onstage at the King Arts Complex in Columbus, Oh., where he discussed his new book and how he’s engaging young readers.

The tour bus stopped at Granger Middle School in Aurora, Ill., on April 10. Later that evening, Alexander spoke at Anderson’s Bookshop in Downers Grove.

Alexander with journalist Dan Rather at the Palm Beach Book Festival.

The author was joined in Palm Beach by James Patterson, novelist and honorary chairman of the festival.

A selfie with the crowd at Carroll University in Waukesha, Wis.

Alexander spoke before a packed house at the Charleston County Public Library in South Carolina.

Talking with radio host Dave Heller in front of WHYY-FM in Philadelphia.

Children’s Book World in Haverford, Pa., welcomed the Rebound author for a reading and musical performance by guitarist Randy Preston, who accompanies Alexander for many of his presentations.

Alexander signed a book for Toronto Raptors coach Dwayne Casey during a basketball practice.