Middle Reader Panel with Jarrett Lerner, Elly Swartz, and Alex Thayer
Join us for a panel with local middle reader authors Jarrett Lerner, Elly Swartz, and Alex Thayer. Moderated by Newton librarian Jean Stehle, this evening will be a fun-filled way to learn about the books and writing processes of these four authors.
The event will begin at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM.
Pizza dinner will be provided at this event!
Tickets:
$20 - Admission + Book (includes up to two children and their guardians)
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A young boy struggles with body image in this poignant and “perceptive” (Publishers Weekly, starred review) middle grade journey to self-acceptance told through prose, verse, and illustration.
Jarrett Lerner is the award-winning creator of more than a dozen books for kids, including the EngiNerds series of middle grade novels, the Geeger the Robot series of early chapter books, the Hunger Heroes series of graphic chapter books, two activity books, the illustrated novel in verse A Work in Progress, and the Nat the Cat series of early readers. You can find him online at JarrettLerner.com and on X and Instagram at @Jarrett_Lerner. He lives with his wife and daughters in Massachusetts.
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From the beloved author of Hidden Truths comes a novel about take-charge sixth grader Bess Stein, who brings together friends and a group of rockstar librarians called the Book Warriors to fight a book ban happening at her middle school.
Elly Swartz lives in Massachusetts and is happily married with two grown sons, a beagle named Lucy, and a pup named Baxter Bean. Hidden Truths, called a “realistic fiction at its best” in a starred review by SLJ, was her latest novel. She is also the author of Dear Student, Finding Perfect, Smart Cookie, and Give and Take, novels for middle-grade readers.
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With charm and sincerity reminiscent of Judy Blume and Rebecca Stead, this debut middle grade novel is a “compassionate” (Kirkus Reviews), hopeful story about a girl finding herself through secretly giving out advice to classmates.
Alex Thayer is a former film and television actress and elementary school teacher. She lives in New England with her two sons. She’s the author of Happy & Sad & Everything True and Bad Cheerleader.
About The Moderator:
Jean Stehle (steel) is a school librarian, writer, and literary influencer. A graduate of Ithaca College and Columbia University, Jean is a middle school librarian in the Newton Public Schools district. Jean takes pride in fostering an inclusive library where facts matter and all students are book lovers, even if they don’t know it yet. Jean is a founding organizer of the Newton Children’s Book Festival and has consulted for PBS Learning Media. She lives outside of Boston with her one husband, two children, and countless books. Discover your next great read and follow Jean on Instagram: @jeanstehle_