Middle Grade Mythology: Nnedi Okorafor & David A. Robertson
Sat, November 14 from 11:45 am - 12:30 pm PST
Livestream at PDXBookFest.org
#PDXBookFest
Free
Mythology infuses these middle-grade fantasy stories, the beginnings of exciting new series from acclaimed writers. In Nnedi Okorafor’s acclaimed first novel for middle grade readers, Ikenga, introduces a boy who can access super powers with the help of the magical Ikenga. Narnia meets traditional Indigenous stories of the sky and constellations in The Barren Grounds, the beginning of an epic middle grade fantasy series from award-winning author David A. Robertson.
Moderated by folklorist and novelist Kate Ristau.
PURCHASE IKENGA | THE BARREN GROUNDS | SHADOW QUEENE
ALL BOOKS PURCHASED THROUGH FESTIVAL EVENTS, FROM ANNIE BLOOM’S BOOKS, BROADWAY BOOKS, GREEN BEAN BOOKS, OR POWELL’S BOOKS, SUPPORT THE AUTHORS AND PUBLISHERS WHO SHARE THEIR WORK AT THE FESTIVAL AND THE BOOKSELLERS WHO HAVE WORKED HARD TO KEEP THEIR BUSINESSES OPEN DURING THESE DIFFICULT TIMES. BY PURCHASING BOOKS at these bookstores YOU ARE SUPPORTING THE SUSTAINABILITY OF THE FESTIVAL.
Nnedi Okorafor
Nnedi Okorafor is the daughter of Nigerian-born (Igbo) parents. She grew up in the Chicago area, with frequent trips back to Nigeria. There she absorbed the history and mythology that infuse her works of science fiction and fantasy. She has received the Hugo, the Nebula, the World Fantasy Award, and the Locus Award for her work, and her fans include Neil Gaiman, Rick Riordan, John Green, and Ursula Le Guin. Her latest book is Ikenga. Ms. Okorafor holds a PhD in English. She lives with her daughter in the suburbs of Chicago.
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Purchase Ikenga from Green Bean Books, one of our Portland-based, independent bookstore partners HERE.
David A. Robertson
David A. Robertson is the author of numerous books for young readers including When We Were Alone, which won the 2017 Governor General’s Literary Award and was nominated for the TD Canadian Children’s Literature Award. A sought-after speaker and educator, Dave is a member of the Norway House Cree Nation and currently lives in Winnipeg. His latest book, the first in the three-part Misewa Saga, is The Barren Grounds (Tundra Books, Fall 2020). He also has a memoir, Black Water, out this fall from Harper Collins Canada.
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Purchase The Barren Grounds from Green Bean Books, one of our Portland-based, independent bookstore partners HERE.
Kate Ristau
Kate Ristau is the author of the middle grade series, Clockbreakers, and the young adult series, Shadow Girl. You can read her essays in The New York Times and The Washington Post. In her ideal world, magic and myth combine to create memorable stories with unforgettable characters. Until she finds that world, she'll live in a house in Oregon, where they found a sword behind the water heater and fairies in the backyard.
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