Zach Lehner

Sunday, November 15

4 pm at the Evanston Public Library, 1703 Orrington

Local comic book artist Zach Lehner will walk kids through making their own comics, explaining simple tricks and techniques to make a story look amazing and fun! Plus, he'll talk about how he illustrated the awesome graphic novel Junior Braves of the Apocalypse Vol. 1: A Brave Is a Brave, about a group of boys coming back from a campout to find the world has ended.  Monsters roam the streets and the adults that are left have cracked under the stress. 

Grades 6-12. No registration necessary.

How to Read Like a Writer

TODD HASAK-LOWY Sunday, July 12 4 pm at the Evanston Public Library

Todd Hasak-LowyTodd Hasak-Lowy, author of Book Stall YA favorite Me Being Me Is Exactly As Insane as You Being You will speak on the subject "How to Read Like a Writer." He'll lead an interactive discussion about the relationship between active reading and creative writing. Recommended for ages 12 and up. This event is free, but space may be limited. Click here or call  the library at 847 448-8625 to reserve a space.

Frank Bruni

A Family Action Network Program     FRANK BRUNI         Thursday, April 9, 7 pm        New Trier High School, Northfield Campus, 7 Happ Rd. Cornog Auditorium

The Family Action Network (FAN) hosts New York Times columnist Frank Bruni for a talk on the subject of his new book Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admission Mania. It offers students and their parents a new perspective on the college admissions process and a path out of the anxiety it can provoke. Students and parents are encouraged to attend. For more information about Mr. Bruni and his book, click here for the FAN website.

Arwen Elys Dayton

A Teen Reader Event

ARWEN ELYS DAYTON

Wednesday, February 18

5 pm at The Book Stall

 

We're delighted to welcome Arwen Elys Dayton for a special event for teens. Early readers of her sci-fi/fantasy novel Seeker (it just hit store shelves yesterday) have been burning up the Internet with praise and excitement. Proclaims the School Library Journal: "Fans of Veronica Roth's 'Divergent,' Marie Lu's 'Legend,' and Suzanne Collins's 'The Hunger Games' series: your next obsession has arrived."

Arwen will discuss her work, answer questions, sign copies of her book, and pizza will be served. This event is recommended for ages 13 to adult, and is free and open to the public. Reservations are requested by calling  us at 847 446-8880. We want to have enough pizza! And if you are reading this Wednesday afternoon and are able to come, please do! All are welcome.

Click here to reach Arwen's website and learn more about her and her book.

"The Mask You Live In," A FAN Program

Monday, February 9

7 pm, Gaffney Auditorium, New Trier High School
385 Winnetka Ave., Winnetka

The Family Action Network (FAN) hosts the Chicago premiere of "The Mask You Live In" and a discussion featuring  

Jennifer Siebel Newsom, the film's director, producer, and writer. The 

film follows boys and young men as they struggle to stay true to themselves while negotiating America's narrow definition of masculinity. Pressured by the media, their peers, and even the adults in their lives, the film's protagonists confront gender stereotypes involving race, class, and circumstance that create the identity issues boys and young men must navigate to become "real" men. 

Click here for more information about this event, which is free and open to the public. 

Barbara Shoup

October 5th at 1 pm, our Children's Department starts off a very busy month of activities with young adult author Barbara Shoup, discussing her historical novel, Looking for Jack Kerouac. 

 It's the tale of a boy who discovers Kerouac's "On the Road" while on a 1964 school trip to New York City and begins to question the life he will lead after high school.

Kevin Emerson

KEVIN EMERSON

Thursday, September 25

4:30 pm at The Book Stall

 

Our guest today is Kevin Emerson, the author of the middle grade novel The Fellowship for Alien Detection, and the YA dystopian series The Atlanteans. His new book, Exile, is the realistic story of a young woman who manages a high school rock band. Kevin brings his years of alt-rocker experience to this book -- and he might just have his guitar along for his visit.  

Book Stall children's department manager Robert McDonald recommends Exile for fans of John Green and Antony John.

Harry Potter Birthday Party...

 

Calling all Harry Potter fans!

Harry Potter turns 15 on July 31st! 

Be sure to stop by the store and sign our giant Harry Potter birthday card, enter a drawing to win a FULL set of the Harry Potter books, and make plans to attend our Harry Potter birthday party!

   

Two Big Events for Kids and Teens

Saturday, May 31 at The Book Stall

In between Mother's Day and Father's Day, this Saturday could be declared Children's Day at The Book Stall. We're hosting two big events, which are:

11 am:  YA Summer Reads Kick-Off Party

Young adult (YA) fiction writers James Klise (The Art of Secrets) and Philip Siegel (The Break-Up Artist) will join us for our annual celebration of summer, the year's greatest season for reading! We'll have prizes, teens can chat with the authors about their work and how they get their ideas and inspiration for their books, and we'll have pizza at noon. This event is free, but we ask that you please register by calling the store at 847 446-8880.

3 pm: Middle Grade Mania

We welcome six amazing writers to this party for young readers ages 8-12. They are (from left to right as pictured below: Emily Fairlie (The Tuckernuck Mysteries), Kate Hannigan (Cupcake Cousins), Michele Weber Hurwitz (The Sumer I Saved the World in 65 Days), Wendy McClure (Wanderville), Liesl Shurtlieff (Rump: The True Story of Rumpelstiltskin), and Amy Timberlake (One Came Home). 

Each will talk about their books, their work, and share how they develop and how they improve their stories. It's a fine kick-off for a summer of reading. Free. No registration required.

Hilary Levey Friedman

A Family Action Network (FAN) Presentation

HILARY LEVEY FRIEDMAN
Wednesday, April 23
7 pm, Attea Middle School at 2500 Chestnut Ave., Glenview

 

Hear Harvard sociologist Hilary Levey Friedman speak on the subject "Playing to Win: Raising Healthy, Competitive Children," the subject of her new book Playing to Win: Raising Children in a Competitive Culture. 

Taking a distinct approach that draws on the work of educators, historians, and psychologists -- along with her own research on over 100 families  -- her book discusses how parents can expose their children to healthy competition, how they can make more informed decisions about what instructor is right for a child, and how they can help a child select the best after-school activity for him or her.  

This event is free and open to the public. Click here for directions to Attea Middle School. 

 

SPRING BREAK ~ SCREEN BREAK.... See what's in store!

Spring Break Week at The Book Stall

        Our Calendar of Daily Events March 3 - 8

We're joining The Winnetka Alliance for Early Childhood in celebrating ScreenBreak Week 2014, a time when area families are encouraged to turn off or limit television and computer use in favor of alternate activities. Where noted, please call The Book Stall to reserve a spot.

 

Monday, March 3, 4 pm  Avengers Assemble! Calling all super-hero fans!  We'll watch a film clip or two, read a bit about some of the most powerful beings in the universe, and then work on a create-your-own superhero (or super villain) writing and drawing project. Please call us to reserve your spot. Ages 8-11

Tuesday March 4, 4:30 pm  Story-teller Lucia Luckett-Kelly returns with a program called "Noodles, Oodles and Cock-a-doodle-doo Folk Stories."  No registration required.  Ages 4-12

Wednesday, March 5, 4:30 pm  The Best of the Book Stall: Miss Amy Reads Her Favorite New Picture Books! No registration required. We provide a treat.  Ages 3 and up

Thursday, March 6, 4 pm  The Day the Crayons Quit! A Party!  Kids can imagine their own conversations with crayons with this picture book by Drew Daywalt and New York Times-bestselling illustrator Oliver Jeffers. Call us to reserve your spot. Ages 4-8

Friday, March 7, at 6:30 pm  Pajama Story Time! Join us for a special Friday night storytime designed to relax and entertain you at the end of a busy week. No registration required. Ages 3 and up

Saturday, March 8, from 3 to 4:15 pm  Let's Put on a Puppet Show! 

Join Betsy, Robert, and Amy in a fun-filled puppetry workshop. After you make a puppet or two, we'll talk about how to tell a story, and you can stage a skit of your own.  Space is limited. Call us to reserve your spot. Ages 7-9

A FAN Presentation and Workshop

A FAN Presentation

DAVID SHEFF and NIC SHEFF

        Wednesday, February 5

     7 pm, Gaffney Auditorium New Trier High School

Winnetka Campus, 385 Winnetka Ave.

Journalist David Sheff will be joined by his son Nic Sheff 

(right) for what promises to be a moving Family Action Network (FAN) program titled "Preventable and Treatable: A Family Portrait." David Sheff is the author of the # 1 bestseller Beautiful Boy: A Father's Journey Through His Son's Addiction, the story of his harrowing struggle to help Nic overcome methamphetamine addiction, and Clean: Overcoming Addicition and Ending America's Greatest Tragedy, just out in paperback. 

 

Nic Sheff himself is the author of two memoirs, Tweak: Growing Up on Methamphetamines and We All Fall Down: Living with Addiction. Together, the Sheffs will weave together their perceptions and experiences of Nic's addiction and their family's path through discovery, treatment, relapse and recovery. 

This event is free and open to the public. It will be followed by a workshop the next day, Thursday, February 6, from 9:30-11 am, at the Winnetka Community House, 620 Lincoln Ave., Winnetka.  The workshop will be led by Doug Bolton, PhD, Principal of North Shore Academy, and Al Ross, LCSW, of Family Service of Glencoe. (RSVPs requested). Click here for the FAN website for more information and links to interviews with David and Nic Sheff.

Girls and Their Moms Talk Clothes

Girls and Their Moms Talk Clothes

JACKIE WALKER 

PAMELA McKUEN

        Wednesday, February 5

      4:30 pm at The Book Stall

Longtime fashion consultant Jackie Walker (right) and writer Pamela McKuen (far right) join moms and daughters here at the store to talk about the subject of their new book, Expressionista: How to Express Your True Self Through (and Despite) Fashion.  It's a guide for girls ages 7-12 on finding self-esteem through their clothing and is packed with tips and quotes from fashion icons as well as fun quizzes and resources galore. Jackie will facilitate a discussion between mothers and daughters about making clothing choices.  Free and open to the public.

Write Through Chicago

BOB BOONE and MARK HENRY LARSON

Wednesday, November 20

7 pm at The Book Stall

 

Bob Boone (top) and Mark Henry Larson, both popular Highland Park High School English teachers -- now retired -- talk about Write Through Chicago: Learn About a City by Writing About a City, a writing program and book offering both teachers and students the opportunity to connect with Chicago and its remarkable history by writing about such events as Lincoln's Chicago funeral, the Columbian Exposition, the Haymarket Riot, the first McDonald's burger, and Barack Obama's 2008 Grant Park election night speech. The book encourages students to craft a wide range of written forms, from stories and poems to polemics, monologues, diaries, letters and more. 

 

Click here to read more about it.

Very special events for Educators, Parents and Kids

Special event info on Our Teacher Day with
Esme Raji Codell, Maggie Stiefvater in Evanston,
and Rebecca Caudill Award Winner Matthew Cody,
among others! 

Save the Date: Saturday, Sept. 29th is our annual Teacher In-Service Day for grades K-5. With special guest star Esme Raji Codell

Join us for a special morning of giveaways, prizes, book seller presentations, and our special guest Esme Raji Codell, discussing  her new book, Seed by Seed: The Legend and Legacy of John "Appleseed" Chapman.

Educators will receive prizes, special gifts, and a coupon for 20% off all books purchased that day.  The event is free, but we do request that you register--reply to this email, stop by the store, or call us at 847-446-8880 to reserve your spot.  Space may be limited.

If you are interested in a free author visit to your school or library by Cold Fury author T.M. Goeglein, contact Robert McDonald at 847-446-8880, or respond to this email. 

   

Maze Runner author James Dashner visited The Book Stall as he launched a new series, The Infinity Ring

From the publisher of The 39 Clues comes an alternate-history time travel adventure for readers ages 8-12. Written by a team of six best-selling and acclaimed authors, The Infinity Ring series will have books, an interactive map feature, and an online game experience.  Learn more at www.infinityring.com.  We have signed copies!!

Treat Yourself to an Afterschool Special: Appetizers and Authors

We are hosting  a "stealth" event with two debut authors: Donna Cooner, author of Skinny, and  Sharon Cameron, author of The Dark Unwinding.  This intimate low-key gathering is a way to introduce Chicago northshore bloggers, educators, and teens to two terrific books, with appetizers, conversation, and maybe a bit of reading.  It's part of our newish "Teen Reads" series of events, and those always have some prizes and giveaways, as well as great authors.  Space is limited--RSVP at 847-446-8880 or reply to this email. Please invite your students!  Friday, September 28th at 5:00 PM at The Book Stall!   Can't make it to one of these events?  Call us at 847-446-8880 to reserve an autographed copy.

Join us for a Teen Reads After Hours Pizza Party--with two Great Authors!

Our After Hours Teen Reads Fall Pizza Party features prizes, giveaways, refreshments, and TWO guest stars: Dan Krokos, author of False Memory, and Nancy Grossman, author of A World Away.  Free, but space is limited.  Call us, stop by, or reply to this email to reserve your spot.  Sunday, Sept. 30th at 5:00 PM.   Please invite your students! Can't make it to one of these events?  Call us at 847-446-8880 to reserve an autographed copy.

Meet Maggie Stiefvater, author of the Shiver Trilogy and The Scorpio Races

Maggie's new novel, The Raven Boys, is all kinds of awesome. In a starred review, Booklist said, "the book is marvelous, for not only is it filled with marvels but it is also a marvel of imagination and, more prosaically, structure. Rich, too, in characterization, this fantasy-mystery rises to the level of serious literature, leaving readers hungering for more. And more there will be, for this is the first volume of a planned quartet. Waiting for the next book in the Raven Cycle will indeed be a test of readers' patience." Tuesday, Oct. 2nd at 7 PM at The Evanston Public Library.

Coming Up:  Put these on your calendar!

Rebecca Caudill Award winner Matthew Cody, author of Powerless, celebrates his award, and new book, Super with us on Friday, Oct. 19th at 4:30 PM. Science writer Debbie Miller discusses and signs copies of her new book, Survival at 120 Above, Saturday, Oct. 6th at 2 PM at The Book Stall. Debbie will also be at The Wilmette Public Library at 7 PM on Wednesday, Oct. 3rd. Novelist Mary Amato leads a songwriting workshop and discusses her new book Guitar Notes on Sunday, Oct. 7th at 2 PM at The Book Stall. Visit our table at the Children's Book Fair in Hyde Park, Sunday, Oct. 7th from 11 until 6 pm at Nichols Park at 55th Street and Kimbark Ave in Chicago. Snoozapalooza, a Pajama Story Time featuring the The Sleep Book by Dr. Seuss--Friday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 PM at the store.  Attendees should wear their PJs and bring a studded animal buddy. Terri Murphy, illustrator of the picture book As I Went Rambling, leads an art workshop on discovering  the magic in the everyday. Saturday, Oct. 13th at 3 PM. Happy Halloween! Join us for Scary Stories for ages 4 and up on Saturday, Oct. 27th at 3 PM.  "Torchwood" and "Dr. Who" actor John Barrowman teams up with his sister Caroline Barrowman to create a new series for middle grade readers: Hollow Earth.  Meet the authors at The Skokie Public Library on Tuesday, Oct. 30th at 7 PM. Free, but register with the library, seating may be limited. If you are interested in a free author visit to your school or library by Cold Fury author T.M. Goeglein, (for grades 6-8) contact Robert McDonald at 847-446-8880, or respond to this email.   Interested in hosting authors at your school? The visits we set up are free to the schools involved.  Contact Robert McDonald at 847-446-8880 or email him at robmc1002@yahoo.com to discuss how it works!

For more news from the Book Stall

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