Saturday, November 3, 2012

Kirstin Cronn-Mills Reads From 'Beautiful Music for Ugly Children'


Today was a big day for us. Not only did we have the Teen Literature Network breakfast this morning, but then we hosted Kirstin Cronn-Mills at Addendum in the afternoon. 
 

Kirstin was at the TLN event in the morning as well, and was kind enough to come by the store afterwards to read from her newest book, Beautiful Music for Ugly Children.  
 

"Gabe Williams is a guy with big summer plans.  He’s got a job as a radio DJ, following in the footsteps of his mentor, and he wants to move far away after graduation.  He’s also hoping his best friend Paige will fall in love with him—she’s smart, she’s hot, and she tolerates his music habit.  He couldn’t ask for more. His only problem?   The rest of the world has known him as Elizabeth for the last eighteen years. " 


Kirstin has written a poignant book with a powerful message about acceptance and compassion. Gabe is an endearing narrator, and you will find yourself rooting for him from beginning to end.  
 

It was a pleasure to hear the beginning of the story read by Kirstin, as well as to learn more about the background of the book during the Q&A after the reading. 
 

Thank you, Kirstin, for taking the time today to come by the store and share Gabe's story with us!
 

We have signed copies of the book available at Addendum.  
 

Teen Literature Network

Authors pictured: (Front row, L-R) Margi Preus, Julie Schumacher, Ann Angel, Molly Beth Griffin; (Middle row L-R) Lisa Bullard -TLN Coordinator, Joan M. Wolf, Natalie M. Rosinsky, Anne Greenwood Brown, Sandra McLeod Humphrey, Pat Schmatz, Eva Apelqvist, Loretta Ellsworth, Kirstin Cronn-Mills, Rebecca Fjelland Davis; (Back row, L-R) Ann Bausum, bookseller Nancy Caffoe, Vicki Palmquist (CLN), Jonathan Friesen, Polly Carlson-Voiles, Geoff Herbach, John Coy, and Steve Palmquist (CLN).

This morning was the kick-off breakfast for the Teen Literature Network - the new offshoot of the Children's Literature Network. We were very much looking forward to this, and were pleased when TLN asked Addendum to be the official photographer for the event









The morning started with time to browse through everyone's books. Then we had breakfast and played 'Who Am I?'. Each author had provided 10 little-known facts about him- or herself. We read through each card and had to guess which author it was. We got almost all of them right. ;)  



Each author came up after the game and talked a little about themselves, their books, and their current writing project.  
  
A number of the authors in attendance this morning were also at our grand opening.  

Anne Greenwood Brown

Margi Preus

Ann Angel

Kirstin Cronn-Mills

Julie Schumacher


John Coy


Rebecca Fjelland Davis

Sandra McLeod Humphrey

Loretta Ellsworth

Molly Beth Griffin

Jonathan Friesen

Pat Schmatz

Ann Bausum

Joan M. Wolf

Natalie M. Rosinsky

Polly Carlson-Voiles



Eva Apelqvist


Patrick Jones

Interspersed througout the author talks, Vicki Palmquist (head of the Children's Literature Network), Terri Evans (school librarian), and Lisa Bullard (TLN coordinator) spoke about their top 5 picks for young adult books released in the past year. 



Vicki Palmquist


Terri Evans




Lisa Bullard
  
After the event, the authors were available for book signing:


Geoff Herbach




Pat Schmatz

Ann Bausum


Margi Preus






Jonathan Friesen




A huge thank you to Vicki Palmquist, Steve Palmquist, and Lisa Bullard for making this morning happen - it was wonderful to be a part of it!