Number 9, number 9, number 9 . . . No, John Lennon hasn’t booked a return
engagement, but wordsmiths are singing the praises of something
almost as good. More than 30 authors, representing the fair’s
theme of “Our Diverse Literary Heritage,” will
participate in the Ninth Annual Illinois Authors Book Fairs,
showcasing their books and meeting readers.
Hailing from the all parts of the state, these
writers of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, and children’s
literature represent the best and the brightest literary talent in
Illinois. Last year more than 4,000 book lovers came to meet and
greet featured writers in the State Library’s great hall and
to attend the many book-related programs offered at the fair.
Patrons can browse or purchase books at an onsite bookstore.
Among the guests this year:
Alex
Kotlowitz, the fair’s featured
author, wrote the acclaimed best-seller There Are No Children Here. The
book is the true story of brothers Lafeyette and Pharoah Rivers,
ages 9 and 11, whose lives bring home the horrors of trying to
survive in a violence-ridden Chicago public-housing project. The
book was named one of the 150 most important books of the 20th
century by the New York Public Library. Kotlowitz’ latest
book is Never a City So Real: A Walk in
Chicago.
Deloris Jordan, mother of basketball legend Michael Jordan, has
co-authored three books with her daughter Roslyn M. Jordan, the
best-known being Salt in His Shoes: Michael
Jordan in Pursuit of a Dream. This
inspirational story about her son encourages young readers to pursue
their dreams. Her most recent book is Did I
Tell You I Love You Today?
Tom Joyce of Home and Garden Television’s The Appraisal Fair returns
this year to appraise rare and old books.
Acclaimed storyteller Linda Gorham will
give three performances.
Participating authors will autograph their
books, present workshops, or participate in panel discussions on
subjects that include writing mysteries, fiction, children’s
books, self-help books, histories, and biographies.
A children’s area will include
storytellers, crafts, the Ansar Shrine clowns, free books, posters,
stickers, and cookies. For a nominal fee, children may have a photo
taken with popular cartoon character SpongeBob SquarePants. A
raffle will be held for two tickets to the Batter’s Eye Club,
located above the centerfield wall, for the July 23 Chicago
Cubs–St. Louis Cardinals game in St. Louis.
The Ninth Annual Illinois Authors Book Fair is
held 10 a.m.- 3 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at the Illinois
State Library, 300 S. Second St. Admission is free. For a
complete schedule, visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/library/whats_new/2005bookfair.html.
On Friday, March 4, a fundraising dinner will
be held in the State Library atrium. Tickets are $100; contact
Bonnie Matheis at bmatheis@ilsos.net or call 217-558-2065.
This article appears in Mar 3-9, 2005.
