Celebrate Evanston-based Author Betsy Bird and Her New Novel for Kids!

On Tuesday, Oct. 5th at 6: 30 PM, join us for a virtual book release party! We are celebrating with librarian, blogger, podcaster, and of course author Betsy Bird, as we welcome her new novel for young readers into the world. Long Road to the Circus, illustrated by Caldecott Medalist David Small, is the story of twelve-year-old Suzy Bowles, who longs for a life outside her small Michigan town. Enter Madame Marantette and her ostriches. A legendary former circus queen and her giant birds might just be the unusual ride to a different life.

This event is aimed at kids ages 9 and up, and adults who love ostriches, kid lit, and history!

**Order your book from the Book Stall–we can arrange to have your copy of Long Road to the Circus signed and personalized!

About the Book: Twelve-year-old Suzy Bowles is tired of summers filled with chores on her family farm in Burr Oak, Michigan, and desperate to see the world. When her wayward uncle moves back home to the farm, only to skip his chores every morning for mysterious reasons, Suzy decides to find out what he’s up to once and for all. And that’s when she meets legendary former circus queen Madame Marantette and her ostriches. Before long, Suzy finds herself caught-up in the fast-paced, hilarious world of ostrich riding, a rollicking adventure that just might be her ticket out of Burr Oak.

About the Author: Betsy Bird is the Collection Development Manager of the Evanston Public Library, and the former Youth Materials Specialist of New York Public Library. Betsy reviews for Kirkus, served on the 2007 Newbery Award committee, and her children’s literature blog, “A Fuse #8 Production,” is hosted by School Library Journal. Betsy is the author of the picture book Giant Dance Party, and a co-author on the nonfiction book Wild Things: Acts of Mischief in Children’s Literature, which she wrote with fellow bloggers Julie Danielson and Peter Sieruta.