Did you know there are lots of fun book events available to you every month? Especially right now, when most everything is offered virtually, so you can attend no matter where you live. And many, if not most, are free. Independent bookstores, libraries, and other organizations host authors and illustrators throughout the year, usually timed with the publication of a new book. Purchasing a book from the event host to support the store and the creators is always appreciated, but not typically required to attend.

I’m going to spotlight a handful of upcoming middle-grade book events that caught my eye for this month and early next, but you can find more by visiting bookstore, library, author, and illustrator websites and looking at their calendar of events. Subscribing to newsletters is a great way to hear about them too!

JANUARY 12: At Book Bar, Denver, CO:  Alone by Megan E. Freeman 

JANUARY 12: At Blue Willow Bookshop, Houston, TX: The Ambassador of Nowhere Texas by Kimberly Willis Holt

JANUARY 12: At Malaprop’s Bookstore, Asheville, NC: Halfway to Harmony by Barbara O’Connor, in conversation with Amy Cherrix 

JANUARY 12: Link to Libraries Presents: Grace Lin and Shannon Hale in Conversation  

JANUARY 13: At Mysterious Galaxy, San Diego, CA: Clues to the Universe by Christina Li, in conversation with Erin Entrada Kelly 

JANUARY 15: At Anderson’s Bookshop, Chicago, IL: Lion of Mars by Jennifer Holm

JANUARY 26: SCBWI Carolina’s Virtual Book Launch for Take Back the Block by Chrystal D. Giles  Pre-order the book from Park Road Books here: https://www.parkroadbooks.com/book/9780593175170

FEBRUARY 2: At Porter Square Books, Cambridge, MA: Red, White, and Whole by Rajani LaRocca, in conversation with Kate Messner 

FEBRUARY 2: At Books Inc., San Francisco Bay Area, CA: Hilo Book 7: Gina the Girl Who Broke the World by Judd Winick