From GATHERING VOLUMES
Katherine Applegate is the author of The One and Only Ivan, winner of the Newbery Medal. Crenshaw spent over twenty weeks on the New York Times’ children’s bestseller list. Home of the Brave continues to be included on state reading lists, summer and class reading lists. With the release of her latest middle-grade novel about embracing diversity, Wishtree, local bookstore Gathering Volumes participated in Nationwide Wishing Day with a day full of activities culminating in a children’s cooking contest. Gathering Volumes’ event was deemed the most creative and Katherine Applegate is headed to Perrysburg to help celebrate. Ms. Applegate will be at Gathering Volumes on Saturday, June 2. Seating for the event will begin at 4:30 p.m. After a presentation and discussion, Ms. Applegate will be available to sign books.
Ms. Applegate won the 2013 Newbery Medal for The One and Only Ivan. This annual award, granted by the American Library Association, recognizes the previous year’s “most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.” The story is written from the viewpoint of a gorilla living in a glass cage in a shopping mall. According to the award committee, “Katherine Applegate gives readers a unique and unforgettable gorilla’s-eye-view of the world that challenges the way we look at animals and at ourselves.” Her latest novel, Wishtree, is narrated by Red, an unforgettable oak tree who is many rings old. Red is the neighborhood “wish tree” – people write their wishes on pieces of cloth and tie them to Red’s branches. The animals who seek refuge in Red’s hollows help Red grant a wish for a child that moves into the neighborhood. Funny, deep, warm, and nuanced, Wishtree is Katherine Applegate at her finest, writing from the heart and from a completely unexpected point of view.
Denise Phillips, owner of Gathering Volumes says, “Ms. Applegate’s novel, Crenshaw, tells the story of Jackson, whose family has fallen on hard times, and his imaginary friend, Crenshaw. Crenshaw is a large, outspoken cat who comes into Jackson’s life when Jackson needs help. It is my daughter’s favorite book and the one that gets reread again and again.” Ms. Phillips says she couldn’t believe it when she was notified that Ms. Applegate would be visiting Gathering Volumes. “I knew it was a possibility when we signed up to participate in Nationwide Wishing Day, but I never imagined our event would be deemed Most Creative. We love having authors in and seeing the connection with their readers, and it is even more exciting to see students meet an author that has, or will, impact their view of the world.”
All are welcome to attend Ms. Applegate’s presentation. Anyone who wishes to have books signed by Ms. Applegate can pick up a copy of any of her books at Gathering Volumes and receive a signing line ticket. Books will also be available on the day of the event and a limited number of autographed books will be available for purchase after the event.
Once again, in celebration of Gathering Volumes Nationwide Wishing Day event, Newberry Medal winner Katherine Applegate will be speaking and signing books in Perrysburg at Gathering Volumes on June 2. There is no charge to participate, but a signing ticket is necessary to guarantee getting your book(s) signed. For more information about Ms. Applegate’s visit to Perrysburg, call Gathering Volumes at (567)336-6188.
