Author events: Ginger Zee discusses new book in Naperville
David Kerns: 2 p.m. Sunday, April 29, at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka, (847) 446-8880 or thebookstall.com/. Chicago-born journalist and former Stanford medical professor David Kerns will host a reading, discussion and signing of "Fortnight on Maxwell Street," which is set in inner-city Chicago in the days preceding and following the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. Kerns also will appear at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, at 57th Street Books, 1301 E. 57th St., Chicago, in conversation with Daniel Brauner M.D.
Ginger Zee: 7 p.m. Monday, April 30, at Ratio Hall in North Central College's Wentz Science Center, 131 S. Loomis St., Naperville. Meet "Good Morning America" chief meteorologist Ginger Zee when she discusses and signs her new middle-grade book, "Chasing Helicity." Tickets, which cost $20 for one adult and $25 for two adults, include a copy of the book. Kids younger than 18 may attend for free with a paying adult; a ticket is required. Buy tickets exclusively at gingerzeeandersons.brownpapertickets.com/. Books purchased at other vendors are not permitted in the signing line. For details, call sponsor Anderson's Bookshop at (630) 355-2665 or see andersonsbookshop.com/.
Clemantine Wamariya: 7 p.m. Monday, April 30, at the North Shore Congregation Israel, 1185 Sheridan Road, Glencoe, thebookstall.com/. Wamariya, who wrote "The Girl Who Smiled Beads," will be interviewed about her book by Edna Friedberg, a historian at the U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum. Free. Registration is required at ushmm.org/online/calendar/eventDetails.php?event=MWNSWAMARIYAPP0518 or (855) 218-6836.
Beth Evans: 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 1, at Anderson's Bookshop, 26 S. La Grange Road, La Grange, (708) 582-6353 or andersonsbookshop.com/. Instagram artist Beth Evans shares her playful musings from "I Really Didn't Think This Through." Free. To join the signing line, purchase the book from Anderson's.
David Kertzer: Luncheon at noon Wednesday, May 2, at the University Club of Chicago, 76 E. Monroe St., Chicago. Brown University professor David Kertzer will speak about his new book, "The Pope Who Would Be King: The Exile of Pius IX and the Emergence of Modern Europe." Business attire required; no denim allowed. For luncheon reservations (required), or to order an autographed book, call sponsor The Book Stall at (847) 446-8880. thebookstall.com/.
Nancy Cavanaugh: 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka, (847) 446-8880 or thebookstall.com/. For Children's Book Week, Cavanaugh signs her new middle-grade novel, "Elsie Mae Has Something to Say." During the party, kids can write a letter to someone they admire and participate in a Find the Hidden Hog contest with prizes. Recommended for kids 8 and older. Free. Reserve a spot at (847) 446-8880 or events@thebookstall.com.
Amy Nobile and Trisha Ashworth: 7 p.m. Wednesday, May 2, at Anderson's Bookshop, 26 S. La Grange Road, La Grange, (708) 582-6353 or andersonsbookshop.com/. Meet the authors when they present and sign "Just When You're Comfortable in Your Own Skin, It Starts to Sag." Free. To join the signing line, purchase the book from Anderson's.
Blue Balliett: 4:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka, (847) 446-8880 or thebookstall.com/. The best-selling author hosts a ghost story writing workshop for kids 9-12 for Children's Book Week. Registration is required at (847) 446-8880 or events@thebookstall.com. There is a $5 participation fee, redeemable for merchandise in the store.
Laura McHugh, Jill Orr and Patricia Skalka: 6:30 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at The Book Stall, 811 Elm St., Winnetka, (847) 446-8880 or thebookstall.com/. These mystery writers will discuss the art of writing a thrilling whodunit. There will be a raffle, where you can win copies of the authors' books, swag bags with mystery/thriller advance reading copies and Book Stall gift cards. No registration necessary.
Dana L. Davis: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com/. Davis, who is currently starring as Kelly in Disney XD's "Star Vs. The Forces of Evil," discusses her new young adult book, "Tiffany Sly Lives Here Now," with fellow young adult author Amelia Brunskill. Free. To join the signing line, purchase the book from Anderson's.
Katherine Heiny: 7 p.m. Thursday, May 3, at the Highland Park Public Library, 494 Laurel, Highland Park, (847) 432-0216 or hplibrary.org/. Heiny will discuss and sign "Standard Deviation." Books will be for sale at the event.
Todd S. Purdum: 6 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Drury Lane Theatre, 100 Drury Lane, Oakbrook Terrace, (630) 530-0111 or drurylanetheatre.com/. Purdum will read excerpts from his new book, "Something Wonderful: A Rogers and Hammerstein's Broadway Revolution," and answer questions about the famed duo and their works. The $55 ticket includes a three-course dinner at Lucille Restaurant and a signed copy of the book. The $115.65 ticket includes a three-course dinner at Lucille Restaurant, a signed copy of the book and a ticket to "South Pacific" at 8 p.m. Tickets are available at the Drury Lane box office (630) 530-0111, Ticketmaster (800) 745-3000 or drurylanetheatre.com/.
Christopher Paul Curtis: 7 p.m. Friday, May 4, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville, (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com/. The Newbery Medalist signs his new middle-grade novel, "The Journey of Little Charlie." Free. To join the signing line, purchase the book from Anderson's.