Arlington Reads: Get Graphic—two authors in one week!

Jerry Craft (Apr. 27) and Gene Luen Yang (May 4) at Central Library.

Two Arlington Reads Authors Talks in One Week Jerry Craft, Apr. 27 and Gene Luen Yang, May 4 at Central Library, 6-8 p.m. Families with middle school/high school students and adults are in for a double treat this spring.     Meet the Newbery Medal winning graphic novel author Jerry Craft (Apr. 27), creator of "New Kid," and the Library of Congress' fifth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Gene Luen Yang (May 4), author of "Dragon Hoops." Their graphic novels will be available for purchase during both events, courtesy of One More Page Books. The conversations will be followed by an audience Q&A and book signing.   Both in-person events are free and will be livestreamed and made available as a recording for 30 days on the Arlington County's YouTube channel; RSVP to receive the online link.     Arlington Reads is made possible thanks to the generous support of the Friends of the Arlington Public Library.    All are welcome! RSVP for Jerry Craft (Apr. 27) RSVP for Gene Luen Yang (May 4) "Get Graphic" with Jerry Craft  On April 27, join us for a conversation between author Jerry Craft and Library Division Chief Peter Petruski about Jerry Craft's novel "New Kid," and his newest installment "School Trip."     In "New Kid," seventh grader Jordan Banks loves nothing more than drawing cartoons about his life. But instead of sending him to the art school of his dreams, his parents enroll him in a prestigious private school known for its academics, where Jordan is one of the few kids of color in his entire grade.    As he makes the daily trip from his Washington Heights apartment to the upscale Riverdale Academy Day School, Jordan soon finds himself torn between two worlds—and not really fitting into either one. Can Jordan learn to navigate his new school culture while keeping his neighborhood friends and staying true to himself?  "Get Graphic" with Gene Luen Yang  On May 4, join us for a conversation between New York Times bestselling author Gene Luen Yang and Librarian Jennifer Santure about Yang's graphic novel career, from "American Born Chinese" to his latest graphic novel, "Dragon Hoops."    In Yang's latest graphic novel, "Dragon Hoops," he turns the spotlight on his life, his family and the high school where he teaches. The graphic novel character Gene understands stories—comic book stories featuring action and heroes, in particular.    But Gene doesn't get sports. As a kid, his friends called him "Stick" and every basketball game he played ended in pain. He lost interest in basketball long ago, but at the high school where he now teaches, it's all anyone can talk about. The men's varsity team, the "Dragons," is having a phenomenal season that's been decades in the making. Each victory brings them closer to their ultimate goal: the California State Championships.     Once Gene gets to know these young all-stars, he realizes that their story is just as thrilling as anything he's seen on a comic book page. He knows he has to follow this epic to its end. What he doesn't know yet is that this season is not only going to change the "Dragons's" lives, but his own life as well.  2023 Arlington Reads: Get Graphic  Arlington Public Library's long-running signature author talk program Arlington Reads turns the page to the next chapter "Get Graphic."      The year-long series will feature a diverse lineup of five award-winning and New York Times bestselling graphic novel authors: Alison Bechdel (Mar. 9), Jerry Craft (Apr. 27), Gene Luen Yang (May 4), Art Spiegelman (Sep. 21) and Liana Finck (Oct. 19).      Each of these authors will focus on a character's experiences intersected with social commentary, history, identity and self-discovery using the graphic novel format to challenge our societal norms and invite us to discover uncomfortable truths and new ways of seeing. 2023 Arlington Reads