FANTASY, FICTION & THRILLING BOOKS: YOUNG ADULT AUTHORS JUSTINE LARBALESTIER, KATHE KOJA AND MICHAEL SPRADLIN READING AND SIGNING AT OAK PARK PUBLIC LIBRARY

The Book Beat and Oak Park Public Library are pleased to present young adult authors Justine Larbalestier, Kathe Koja and Michael Spradlin at the Oak Park Public Library on Thursday, October 2, 2008, from 7:00 - 8:30 PM.  All three authors have delivered exciting new separate works of fiction that should appeal to a diverse group of readers. The Oak Park Library is located at 14200 Oak Park Blvd. in Oak Park. For more information call 248-968-1190. 

jl01small-185x300.jpgJustine Larbalestier is quickly becoming a name to watch in the world of young adult fiction.  Her latest book, How to Ditch Your Fairy, is about a teenage-girl named Charlie who is blessed with a helpful fairy with a rather unusual talent: the ability to find a parking spot.  Loaded with humor this light-hearted novel should appeal to teens and young adults who occasionally feel that everyone else has it made.

Larbalestier is from Sydney, Australia and is also the author of the Magic or Madness trilogy. Read an online interview with two amazingly wonderful fantasy authors: Justine Larbalestier and Ekaterina Sedia at Fantasy Magazine.   



K_96.jpgKathe Koja is the author of many critically-acclaimed young adult novels including Buddha Boy, The Blue Mirror and Kissing the Bee.  Her latest novel, Headlong, takes place in the Vaughn School, a private school for girls where perfection means everything.  Lily Noble’s perfect world is shaken by a new friend named Hazel who shows Lily a world beyond the sheltered walls of Vaughn. 

Koja is a native Detroiter who resides in the area. Read an online interview with Kathe at Teens Read Too.com/



michael_headshot1-big.jpgMichael P. Spradlin is the author of an exciting new children’s novel called, The Youngest Templar:  Keeper of the Grail.  Set during the time of Richard the Lionhearted and the English Crusades, the young orphan Tristan’s wish for adventure is granted when he becomes a squire headed to fight in the Holy Land.  This fast-paced adventure novel is sure to please readers aged 9-12 thirsty for excitement in the medieval era. 

Spradlin is also the author of the Spy Goddess series and lives in Lapeer, Michigan. Listen to a podcast with the author at Book Bites for Kids.