Middle Reader Panel with James Bird, Jennifer Blecher & Lisa Stringfellow (moderated by Jean Stehle)
Join us for a lively and inspiring Middle Grade Author Panel, featuring middle grade authors Jennifer Blecher, James Bird, and Lisa Stringfellow in conversation with Jean Stehle, school librarian and Boston-based literary influencer. Together, they’ll discuss their books, their writing lives, and the power of stories for young readers.
This event is a wonderful opportunity for students to meet local authors, ask questions, and learn firsthand how books are created. Reading builds empathy, strengthens critical thinking, and fosters imagination and creativity, and this evening is designed to spark that joy and curiosity.
Dessert will be provided.
Tickets:
Tickets are $20 and include entry for one adult and up to two children, plus one book by a featured author. Perfect for middle grade readers, families, and anyone who loves great storytelling.
Make sure to indicate how many people will be included on your ticket and which book you'd like to receive with your ticket. Books will also be available for purchase at the event.
About James Bird:
James Bird is the author of middle-grade novels The Brave), The Second Chance of Benjamin Waterfalls (NYPL, SLJ Best book of 2022), and No Place Like Home. He is also a screenwriter and director at the independent film company, Zombot Pictures; his films include award-winning We Are Boats and Honeyglue. Originally from California, James Bird is of Ojibwe descent, and now lives in Massachusetts with his wife, the author and actor Adriana Mather, and their son.
About Jennifer Blecher:
Jennifer Ende Blecher is the author of Out Of Place, Stick with Me, Camp Famous, Listen to This, and Suddenly Famous. She writes contemporary middle grade novels about friendship, fitting in, and first crushes. Jennifer lives in Boston with her husband, three daughters, and a dog named Winnie.
About Lisa Stringfellow:
Lisa writes middle grade fiction and has a not-so-secret fondness for fantasy with a dark twist. A voracious reader growing up, books were her gateway to places where her imagination could thrive. She now loves writing stories that spark that same sense of wonder in others.
Lisa is also a teacher and has taught Language Arts and technology for over 30 years. Working with middle schoolers has helped her develop patience, creativity, flexibility, and a strong sense of humor.
She participates in writing communities through Inked Voices, GrubStreet, Kindling Words, and BosKidLit, and is a member of Middle Grade Coast-to-Coast, the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America, The Authors Guild, KidLit in Color, Black Creators in KidLit, and The Brown Bookshelf’s Amplify Black Stories cohort.