Berkley School District’s Read in the Park; Sunday, March 21, 1pm-4pm
“There is no substitute for books in the life of a child” – Mary Ellen Chase
Book Beat and The Berkley Area PTSA Council are proud to present the Read in the Park on Sunday, March 21, 2010 at Berkley High School in the Collaborative Center, 2325 Catalpa Drive, Berkley, MI 48072-1897. The Collaborative Center is on north side of the building, facing the courtyard and Catalpa. March is Reading Month and in celebration five Michigan authors and illustrators have been invited to speak and autograph books for children and families. The event is free and open to the public. Books by the participating authors will be available at the event, also we will be sending out an order form for people who cannot attend but would like to purchase books and get them signed. Your purchase of these author’s books at the event, through the book-order form or at the Book Beat is important because it makes these events possible. We thank you for your support in the salute to reading!
Here’s the schedule for the day:
Schedule
1:00 Doors open and reception table is available
1:15 General welcome to the event, summary of activities, thank you to our guests, vendors, administration, PTSA Council etc.
1:30 Author and Illustrator Amy Young
2:00 Author Michael P. Spradlin
2:30 Illustrator Kathryn Darnell
3:00 Author John Perry
3:30 Author Renée Hand
4:00 End of event and clean-up
Amy Young Bio 
I grew up in Watertown, Massachusetts. I always loved to draw and to make things, and wanted to be an artist for as long as I can remember. I was pretty good at writing and other academic subjects, but I never really liked math.
After high school I went to lots of different schools. I went to the Cleveland Institute of Art for two years, then I transferred to Yale University. A few years after graduating, I went to Indiana University and got a Master of Fine Arts in painting. Then, for something completely different, I went to Harvard Law School and proceeded to practice law for seven years. I “retired” in 1995 to illustrate full-time.
During and between all those years of schooling I had a lot of different jobs. I have been a waitress, a kitchen worker, a construction worker, a farm hand and a teaching assistant. My least favorite job was waitressing. My best boss ever was Danny, the foreman of my construction crew.
Once I became a full time illustrator, I worked in as many areas as I could. You can see samples of my work in the different sections of this website.
I had wanted to illustrate a children’s book for years before I got the chance to actually do it. My first picture book, which I wrote as well as illustrated, is Belinda the Ballerina; it was published by Viking in 2003. I have written and illustrated lots of books since then.
I live in Spring Lake, Michigan with my charming husband Paul and my darling dog Sophie Rose. I love animals, and I used to serve on the board of Harbor Humane Society. That’s where we got Sophie. For fun, I like to play music (I play fiddle and Irish whistle, and Paul plays guitar and concertina), read, take walks and nap with Sophie. I also like to spend time with my friends.
Amy Young’s latest title: The Mud Fairy
other books: Moi and Marie Antoinette: By Lynn Cullen, illustrated by Amy Young. Hardcover only
Belinda, the Ballerina: Hardcover and paperback
Belinda in Paris: Hardcover
Belinda and the Glass Slipper: Hardcover
Belinda Begins Ballet: Hardcover
Michael P. Spradlin Bio 
Michael P. Spradlin is the author of more than a dozen books for children, some of which have actually been published. He grew up in a small town in Michigan not far from the Indiana border, which may explain his irrational fear of Hoosiers. (Both the inhabitants of the state of Indiana and the movie starring Gene Hackman).
Surrounded by books in his formative years, he grew up loving to read, imagining himself the hero of numerous epic battles and indulging in his favorite pastime, which was smuggling fireworks across the Ohio border so that he could blow up his collection of Plastic Green Army Men and Matchbox Cars.
His first book for children, The Legend of Blue Jacket, was called by School Library Journal “a well-researched labor of love.” His first novel, Spy Goddess: Live and Let Shop, was a 2006 Edgar Award nominee by the Mystery Writers of America for Best Young Adult Mystery. The second book in the series, Spy Goddess: To Hawaii, With Love, was given a starred review by VOYA. His newest project is The Youngest Templar Trilogy. The first book The Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail was published by G.P. Putnam Sons in September 2008. An international sensation, rights to The Youngest Templar have sold in ten countries, and it is also available as an audio edition from Listening Library. The second book in the trilogy The Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate was released in October, 2009 and called by School Library Journal ‘brilliant’ and ‘riveting’. The third book The Youngest Templar: Orphan of Destiny will be released in fall 2010.
Michael’s first book for grownups It’s Beginning To Look A Lot Like Zombies, was a five week New York Times Bestseller. Published in fall 2009, the book recieved raves from The New York Daily News, The Baltimore Sun and many other media outlets.
Michael is also the author of several picture books including the award-winning Daniel Boone’s Great Escape. Check the Coming Soon page for all of the latest updates on his new books including Baseball From A to Z and Off Like the Wind: The First Ride Of The Pony Express, both of which will be published in spring 2010.
Upcoming projects include a novel called The Raven’s Shadow which will be published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in 2011. The Raven’s Shadow is set in Washington DC in 1825 and features a teen age Abraham Lincoln, Charles Darwin and Edgar Allan Poe who must band together to defeat an evil the modern world will come to know as Count Dracula. Teaming up with illustrator Ard Hoyt again, Michael will publish The Inch High Samurai, a retelling of a Japanese Folk Tale which will also be published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons in 2012.
When not writing, he enjoys reading, traveling, spending time with his family and worrying over the fact that he really should be writing instead of doing other stuff. He lives in Michigan with his wife Kelly, son Michael, daughter Rachel and two dogs Willow and Apollo.
His latest titles: Off Like the Wind: The First Ride of the Pony Express: Hardcover only & Baseball From A to Z: Hardcover only
Daniel Boone’s Greatest Escape: Hardcover only
Texas Rangers: Legendary Lawmen: Hardcover only
Youngest Templar: Keeper of the Grail: Hardcover and paperback
Youngest Templar: Trail of Fate: Hardcover
Renee Hand Bio 
My love for reading and writing started when I was a child. I always had a passion for it. I remember frequently wearing out the stone steps to the local library. When in a bookstore I would sit in the middle of an aisle perusing a novel that I was eagerly going to purchase but couldn’t wait to read. Often, when I had extra time, I would write stories that would pop into my head locking myself in my room for hours. Now that I am older my love for reading and writing has not diminished. In fact, it has only become a bigger part of me. It is because of this that I chose to share my interests with other readers who love books as much as I do.
My goal in writing is to entertain, but more importantly it is to build a connection with my readers. If I make another person feel some kind of emotion while they read my books, whether it be love, anger, compassion, or curiosity, then I did my job as a writer and that makes me feel good about what I write about.
I am not only a romance author but a children’s author of an amazing mystery series that encourages children to read by incorporating several topics of interest. The reader must participate into the story in order to solve the case.
I am an award-winning author, educator, tennis coach and various other things. I have been writing for over twenty years and have been a published author for five years with five works published. I write for various chronicles and newsletters, as well as write reviews for various authors of children´s books on my blog.
In my writing career thus far, I have been in over 40 newspapers and blogs. I have been interviewed on ABC channel 12 and on various radio stations and blogs, including Blog Talk Radio and The Children’s Author Show. I have participated in over 100 events, which include book signings, libraries, book stores, charities, schools and festivals all over the United States. I am a member of the SCBWI (Society of Children´s Book Writers and Illustrators). I am available on Facebook and I have two videos created for my series which can be seen from the homepage.
For me, it is all about my readers. I write for them and hopefully create a love of reading that will last a lifetime. My family has encouraged my talents and creativity 
and I couldn’t have gotten this far without their support and love.
I have also received awards for my works. For Magic Hearts I won a Best 2006 Fantasy Romance award. My second romance novel Seduction of the Lonely Heart won a National Literary Award for Best Romance of 2007. I am thankful for these two awards. Book 1 of my new children’s series, The Crypto-Capers in The Case of the Missing Sock, won a preferred choice award for 2009 by Creative Child Magazine.
Check out the various books that I currently have available and coming soon, a new mystery series for lower elementary. All of the information is throughout the site.
If you would like me to review your children’s book, I can be contacted at thecryptocapersseries@gmail.com I love being an author! Thank you for all of your support.
Her latest title: Crypto-Capers: Case of the Golden Monkey: Book 3 Paperback only and Adventures of Joe-Joe Nut & Biscuit Bill Case #1: The Great Pie Catastrophe: Paperback only
Crypto-Capers: Case of the Missing Sock: Book 1, Paperback only
Crypto-Capers: Case of the Red Rock Canyon: Book 2, Paperback only
K. L. Darnell Illustrator Bio 
Artist Kate Darnell has been drawing for as long as she can remember and even after 20 years of doing it, is thrilled each day to be making her living at what she loves most to do — drawing pictures. She earned her BFA studying drawing and painting at the University of Michigan School of Art and Design. In addition to her freelance career as an illustrator and calligrapher, she is a part-time instructor of art at Lansing Community College.
Her art has been described as “making you want to slow down and look.” Her intricate drawings are achieved through many layers of tiny colored pencil marks on vellum paper. She lives in East Lansing with her husband and daughter.
The American Reader: By Kathy-jo Wargin, illustrated by Kate Darnell, Hardcover only
The Michigan Reader: By Kathy-jo Wargin, illustrated by Kate Darnell Paperback only
Fibblestax: by Devin Scillian, illustrated by Kate Darnell, Paperback only
John Perry Bio
John Perry is a native Michigander and currently lives in Ann Arbor. After spending most of his youth tromping through swamps somewhere North of Howell, Perry eventually found employment in the advertising industry. These days he is a happily married Dad with two young girls, a cat, two hermit crabs and several houseplants.
The Book That Eats People is his debut book and has garnered rave reviews from critics and kids who have survived this 
hungry title. Children who enjoy the humor of John Scieszka will “eat this book up” as well. Also, The Book That Eats People has been chosen as one of five finalists for the Children’s Choice Book Awards Third to Fourth Grade Book of the Year. The awards, to be announced May 11, are sponsored by the Children’s Book Council, in association with Every Child a Reader, and the finalists were voted for by thousands of young readers. Congratulations John! One of the bookstore’s favorite titles of 2009.
His latest title:
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Andre Williams Signing at
Book Beat – March 20, 5-6 p.m.
R & B legend Andre Williams will be at Book Beat, March 20, 2010 to speak and autograph copies of his debut book of fiction entitled Sweets and other stories from 5 to 6 p.m. Williams sang or spoke on some legendary singles for Detroit’s Fortune Records in the 50’s and 60’s including hits such as Bacon Fat, the Greasy Chicken and Jail Bait. Sweets and other stories is a rough and gritty collection of tales of tragedy and perseverance from the mean streets of Chicago and beyond. Sure to be a memorable occasion. @ the Book Beat, 26010 Greenfield Road, Oak Park, MI 48237. 248 968 1190.
Free Recycling Workshop @ the Oak Park Community Center, Tuesday March 16 6-7:30 p.m.
SOCCRA Community Partners in Recycling and Waste is offering a free 1 and 1/2 hour recycling workshop for residents in Oak Park. Kathy Hyde from SOCCRA is hosting this fun and informative seminar. Please bring a friend if you are interested in attending. The seminar will be on Tuesday, March 16, 2010 from 6-7:30 at the Oak Park Community Center, 14300 Oak Park Boulevard (West side of the Oak Park Library ) Please call 248-288-5150 to reserve your spot.
Book Beat Reading Group March Selection
The Book Beat Reading Group will be meeting on 
Wednesday, March 31st, 2010 @ 7 pm to be discussing Let the Great World Spin by Colum McCann, the 2009 National Book Award Winner. The reading group meets at the Goldfish Teahouse, 117 W. Fourth Street in downtown Royal Oak.