Bestselling “Girl Warrior” Author Tamora Pierce to Speak in Champaign
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
5/11/2011
Contact:
Betsy Su, Teen Librarian
217/403–2070
bsu@champaign.org
As a young reader, Tamora Pierce loved The Lord of the Rings and other fantasy and sci-fi tales. But they lacked one thing that she craved: strong, smart heroines. As a bestselling young adult fantasy author, Pierce has now filled that void with her own girl warrior, Alanna, and the other confident young women who inhabit her quasi-medieval kingdom of Tortall.
Pierce will make two free appearances at the Champaign Public Library on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in Robeson Pavilion Room A & B. In a program presented at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm, Pierce will talk about her writing and answer questions from the audience. Fans and aspiring writers of all ages are welcome.
A book signing will follow each talk; Barnes & Noble will sell books at the event. The event will kick off the library’s “Dream Big @ the Library” summer reading game for grades 5 to 12, which runs from June 1 to August 15.
Registration is not required, but those who register will be entered into a drawing for a free book by Pierce and will be guaranteed a seat. To register, call 403–2070, or use the library‘s online event calendar; visit champaign.org/events, choose the morning or afternoon session, and click on the event title.
Have Lunch with the Author
Fans of Pierce are also invited to enter a drawing for lunch with the author, or a front row seat at her program. Entries can be submitted in the library’s TeenSpace or e-mailed to Teen Librarian Betsy Su at bsu@champaign.org by 5 pm Friday, May 27. Those who enter should submit a few sentences describing why they deserve this honor and how Pierce’s books have affected them, along with their name, phone number, preference of lunch or front row seat, and which session they plan to attend. Winners will be notified by June 1. Selected entries may be posted on the library’s website.
The author’s first success came with the Song of the Lioness quartet, published by Atheneum Books between 1983 and 1988. That four-part series introduced popular heroine Alanna who, in disguise, takes the place of her twin brother to train as a knight.
Over the next 20 years, Pierce’s popularity grew and six additional book series followed. Her current project, Mastiff, set for release this October, will be the third title in the Beka Cooper series. Earlier this year, her short-story collection, Tortall and Other Lands, was published by Random House Children’s Books.
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Win Lunch with Tamora
Fans of Tamora, win lunch or a front row seat at her program! Send a short e-mail to Teen Librarian Betsy Su, at bsu@champaign.org, to explain why you deserve this honor and how her books have affected you. Entries are due by 5 pm Fri., May 27. Include name, phone, preference of lunch or front row seat, and which program time you will attend, 10:30 a.m. or 3:30 p.m. Excerpts may be posted on our website.
Here are excerpts from entries received so far:
It wasn’t until 5th grade that my teacher recommended books to hopefully get me interested in reading. Oddly enough, the first book I read was Lady Knight. Instantly, I fell in love with the book regardless of the fact it was the last one in the Tortall Series. Since then, I have read more books than I can count in my short lifetime, including every book Tamora Pierce has published. — CC
Tamora Pierce has not only inspired me through her writing and her characters, but she’s also inspired me through just being the person she is. I can’t explain how much she’s touched me, how many times I’ve cried, laughed, or smiled at one of her books…. Just seeing her and asking her to sign my books will possibly be the greatest day of my life. — AW
Her characters never fail to inspire me, the strong willed characters working through their problems, both personal and work (well, wars really) related. I’ve reread her books (the ones I have) countless times, and they still never fail to lift my mood (and keep me up at night to finish the series). — BP
When I was younger, I was not very attracted to books. It was not until my auntie took me Barnes & Noble that a brand new world was opened up to me. I…lingered around the young readers section thinking, perhaps, I would find something worth reading. I saw a book with a young red haired woman, sitting astride a horse with purple fire in her hand. This lured me closer, and it was not until I read the title, The Woman Who Rides Like a Man, that I was convinced to pick it up…. Ever since, there is not a month that goes by that I do not read her books. — NM
My love of series started with Tamora Pierce; she was also the first author that I deemed a favorite if anyone asked. Since then, I have recommended her books to as many people as possible, and always look forward to her new ones! — LE