A local nonprofit will bring regional and national authors to State College for a three-day book fair this month.
The Mid-State Literacy Council’s annual book fair returns from Friday, Nov. 18, through Sunday, Nov. 20. The event, hosted at Barnes & Noble, 365 Benner Pike in State College, will help raise money for the nonprofit, which works to promote literacy and language education efforts in Centre and Clearfield counties.
November’s book fair kicks off at 7 p.m. on Friday, Nov. 18, with a guest appearance from Jeffry Wert, a local Civil War historian, author and former Penns Valley High School history teacher. Since 1987, Wert has published nearly a dozen titles, including narratives of Civil War battles at Gettysburg and accounts of historical figures. Wert released his latest title, “The History of Hell: The Soldiers’ Struggle for Spotsylvania’s Bloody Angle”, earlier this year.
The Mid-State Literacy Council’s book fair kicks into high gear on Saturday, Nov. 18., with a 10 a.m. mindfulness lecture from Penn State educator Elaine Berrena. The lineup continues with appearances from authors Colleen Connolly-Ahern, J.L. Delozier, Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, Trisha Ann McKee and Annika Sharma.
At 2 p.m. on Saturday, a handful of authors will host a panel titled, “How We Write: Connecting Internally and Externally, Privately and Publicly.” Delozier and Agawu-Kakraba will speak in addition to authors Elizabeth Parfitt, Stan Hunter Kranc and Lori Duffy.
Authors Marsha Ann Tate, Earl Houser and Charles Springer will host discussions on Sunday, Nov. 20, to wrap up the book fair.
Here’s a full breakdown of the book fair’s weekend schedule, according to event flyers:
- Friday, Nov. 18
- 7 p.m. — Jeffry Wert, author of “The Heart of Hell: The Soldiers’ Struggle for Spotsylvania’s Bloody Angle”
- Saturday, Nov. 19
- 10 a.m. — Elaine Berrena, Mindfulness: Practicing Gratitude and Improving Well-Being (age 10 and up)
- 11 a.m. — National Children’s Story Time with Wanda Mertick and Ashley Kraige
- 11 a.m. — The State College Poetry Workshop Readings
- 11:15 a.m. — Colleen Connolly-Ahern, author of “Make Book Club Lit Again: Recipes and Ideas to Bring Classics to Life”
- Noon — Children’s Drum Circle with Jenn Bittner
- 12:30 p.m. — Cupcakes for all, plus a Thankfulness Celebration and the presentation of the Ruth C. Kistler Award
- 1 p.m. — J.L. Delozier, author of “The Photo Thief”
- 2 p.m. — “How We Write: Connecting Internally and Externally, Privately and Publicly” panel
- 3 p.m. — Yaw Agawu-Kakraba, author of “The Restless Crucible”
- 4 p.m. — Musical performance by the State College Suzuki Program
- 5 p.m. — Trisha Ann McKee, author of “The Last Time We Met,” “Winter’s Promise” and “Christmas Bump”
- 6 p.m. — Annika Sharma, author of “Love, Chai & Other Four-Letter Words”
- Sunday, Nov. 20
- 1 p.m. — Marsha Ann Tate & Earl Houser, authors of “Images of America Bellefonte”
- 2 p.m. — Charles Springer, poet and author of “Nowhere Now Here”
Proceeds from purchases at November’s book fair will benefit the Mid-State Literacy Council, which sponsors one-on-one tutoring, reading and writing workshops, ESL classes and more in central Pennsylvania. Those who can’t attend the fair in person can support the fundraiser by visiting BN.com/bookfairs between Nov. 18 and 25 and using Bookfair ID 12624029 at checkout.
For more information on the Mid-State Literacy Council’s upcoming book fair, visit the nonprofit’s website.
