Saturday, February 16, 2013

Steve Brezenoff!


Today we held an event with Steve Brezenoff, the second author in the Teens Know Best author series we are collaborating on with MELSA. (See our first author, Jay Asher, here!)


Steve spoke at the RH Stafford Branch Library in Woodbury. 
 

The event was held at the amphitheater in an indoor park with a waterfall. 


It was a nice break from the snow and cold outside!
 






Steve is a local author who has written two young adult novels, Brooklyn, Burning and The Absolute Value of -1, both published by Carolrhoda Lab (located here in the Twin Cities!). 
 



He has also written a number of middle grade books, some of which he gave away at the event today!  
 


 

Steve spoke about the importance of setting in his books. 
 

His first YA novel, The Absolute Value of -1, is set in the suburbs of Long Island, where Steve grew up.
 

The second, Brooklyn, Burning, is set in Brooklyn (surprise!) where Steve lived after college. 
 




Steve read an excerpt from his next book, Guy in Real Life (scheduled for summer 2014). This one takes place in St. Paul, MN. If you're local, you will enjoy recognizing all the places he describes in his book!  






After his talk and questions and answers with the audience, Steve signed copies of his books. 
 







He also signed t-shirts from this author series (helped by his wife, Beth). 
 

Teens - don't forget to come to the rest of the events in the series.  You can pick up your free TKB stuff bag - they're filled with all kinds of goodies like playing cards, pencils, coupons, bookmarks, temporary tattoos and much more!  Some have t-shirts, too. Also, at each event everyone can enter to win books by the author!
 

Coming up in the TKB series:

  • Lauren Myracle - Feb. 23
  • Jordan Sonnenblick - March 9
  • Neal Shusterman - March 16
  • Andrea Cremer - March 23
  • Tamora Pierce - April 6
  • Barry Lyga - April 13
Teachers - want to earn clock hours for attending these events? Find out how!


Saturday, February 9, 2013

Jay Asher!


Addendum has partnered with the Metropolitan Library Service Agency (MELSA) to bring eight young adult authors to the Twin Cities during February, March, and April. Today was the first event in the Teens Know Best author series - Jay Asher! 


Asher is the author of Thirteen Reasons Why and The Future of Us (co-authored with Carolyn Mackler).
 
 
Asher spoke at the Dayton Ave. Presbyterian Church to a crowd of over a hundred. He was an incredible speaker; he's entertaining, charismatic, and kept the crowd laughing, despite the sometimes serious topics in his books. If you missed him this time around, do yourself a favor and see him in person if you get the chance! You won't regret it. 
 

After his talk, Jay Asher answered questions the crowd had and then was available to sign books. 
 







(And thank you, Jay, for writing about the event on your blog!)
 

Teens - don't forget to come to the rest of the events in the series.  You can pick up your free TKB stuff bag - they're filled with all kinds of goodies like playing cards, pencils, coupons, bookmarks, temporary tattoos and much more!  Some have t-shirts, too. Also, at each event everyone can enter to win books by the author!
  

Coming up in the TKB series:
  • Steve Brezenoff - Feb. 16
  • Lauren Myracle - Feb. 23
  • Jordan Sonnenblick - March 9
  • Neal Shusterman - March 16
  • Andrea Cremer - March 23
  • Tamora Pierce - April 6
  • Barry Lyga - April 13
Teachers - want to earn clock hours for attending these events? Find out how!

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Read Brave with Lady Gaga and SPPL


St. Paul Public Library is teaming up with Lady Gaga and her Born Brave tour to try to bring more awareness to what a problem bullying is, and how we can help prevent it. To participate, you can read the book Everybody Sees the Ants by A.S. King during the month of February. This book deals with important topics, such as bullying, war, and family relations. A.S. King will be in St. Paul later this month for several events with the library, as well as an in-store event with Addendum (Thursday, 2/28 7pm).  
  

The kickoff for the 'Read Brave' program started today, while Lady Gaga was in town for her show.


We had the chance to hang out this evening at the Born Brave bus, along with a couple of the fabulous SPPL librarians who are making this whole 'Read Brave' event happen. 


Lady Gaga had dinner and hot chocolate available for those who attended, as well as crafts and games to participate in and music to listen to. 




Everyone was invited to 'Join the Movement. Sign the Pledge.' 


The pledge table with all the signatures will be taken to the Central Library in downtown St. Paul today.









Marcus, co-owner of Addendum, 'empowering youth' with all that he does at our bookstore.





We are so impressed with all that Lady Gaga is doing "to foster a more accepting society, where differences are embraced and individuality is celebrated. [Her] Foundation is dedicated to creating a safe community that helps connect young people with the skills and opportunities they need to build a kinder, braver world."  - Quotation from the Born This Way Foundation website.  Please visit it to see all the incredible work Lady Gaga has done and continues to do to make the world a safe place for everyone; a place where it is ok to be you, just as you are.