Two award-winning children’s authors will appear together at an Alexandria event next month to celebrate reading and the launch of a new middle-grade mystery.
Old Town Books Junior will host bestselling authors James Ponti and Jason Reynolds on Thursday, Sept. 4, at 6 p.m. at the Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center on Jefferson Street.
The event will celebrate the launch of Ponti’s newest book, “Hurricane Heist,” the second installment in his Sherlock Society series. Ponti, known for his City Spies series, will be in conversation with Reynolds, a Washington, D.C.-based author and former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
“The two authors will regale young and old with stories about their books, their writing process, and their ardent commitment to getting kids to fall in love with reading and writing,” according to a press release from the bookstore.
Reynolds, a MacArthur Fellow and New York Times bestselling author, served as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature from 2020-2022. His books include “Look Both Ways,” “Ghost” and “Ain’t Burned All the Bright.”
Ponti is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of four middle-grade series. His novels have been translated into 15 languages and named to 45 state award lists. He won the 2018 Edgar Award for “Vanished.”
The ticketed event will include a question-and-answer session and book signing. General admission tickets cost $25 and include a pre-signed copy of “Hurricane Heist.” Companion tickets are available for $10 with the purchase of a general admission ticket.
Tickets are available online.
The Nannie J. Lee Memorial Recreation Center is located at 1108 Jefferson St. in Alexandria.
