LAURA CHILDS: Minnesotan Gerry Schmitt, writing as Childs, releases her 55th book, “Murder in the Tea Leaves,” in her bestselling Tea Shop Mysteries series featuring Theodosia Browning, owner of the Indigo Tea Shop in Charleston, S.C. She also writes the Scrapbook mystery series and the Cackleberry Club mysteries as well as the Afton Tangler thriller series set in the Twin Cities. Book signing noon to 2 p.m. Saturday, March 9, Once Upon a Crime mystery bookstore, 604 W. 26th St., Mpls.
SLOANE CROSLEY: Discusses “Grief is for People,” with author Curtis Sittenfeld. 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 6, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.
SUE LEAF: Minnesotan discusses “Impermanence: Life and Loss on Superior’s South Shore,” her memoir about life on the big lake’s lesser-known side, in conversation with Laurie Hertzel, former Star Tribune books editor. 1 p.m. Sunday, March 10, Barnes & Noble, 2100 N. Snelling Ave, Roseville.
MAGOON/LEITICH SMITH: Critically acclaimed and bestselling children’s authors Kekla Magoon and Cynthia Leitich Smith introduce their first collaboration, the middle-grade graphic novel “Blue Stars: Mission One: The Vice Principal Problem,” first in a series about two sixth-grade cousins who become superheroes using their creativity and ingenuity (rather than actual superpowers) to fight those who threaten the school and their community. Magoon is the author of fiction and nonfiction and teaches at Vermont College of Fine Arts. Smith, a Native American Muscogee citizen, is winner of several American Library Association Youth Media awards including the American Indian Youth Literature Award, and was the inaugural Katherine Paterson Chair at the Vermont College of Fine Arts MFA program. Joined by debut illustrator Molly Murakami. This is the only stop on their national tour at which all three will be present. Free. 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul.
(Courtesy of HarperCollins Publishers)
ReSHADA TATE: Bestselling author has published more than 50 books, from contemporary romance to teen fiction, nonfiction and poetry. Her novel “Let the Church Say Amen” was adapted for the screen by producers Queen Latifah and Regina King. Her new book is “The Queen of Sugar Hill,” the largely unknown story of Hollywood actress Hattie McDaniel, best known for her role as Mammy in the film “Gone With the Wind.” Although she was the first African-American woman to win an Academy Award, the Oscar put her in the crosshairs of controversy for the rest of her life. White people thought of her as Mammy and Black people scorned what they felt was a demeaning role. But McDaniel persisted, working on fair housing and other social justice issues. Presented by Metropolitan Library Service Agency, which brings high-profile authors to metro-area libraries. Free. 6:30 p.m. Thursday, March 7, Wildwood Library, 763 Stillwater Road, Mahtomedi.
JAMES TRAUB: Discusses “True Believer: Hubert Humphrey’s Quest for a More Just America.” 7 p.m. Tuesday, March 5, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.
What else is going on
Public and private academic libraries across Minnesota are working together to ensure that nearly half a million scarcely held books will remain available in Minnesota for the foreseeable future, according to an announcement from Minitex, a division of the University of Minnesota’s Libraries funded by the Minnesota Office of Higher Education. Called the Minnesota Shared Print Program, the 24 participants have committed their institution to retain specific books that, according to Minitex, represent a significant part of the scholarly record that is in demand but not widely distributed within Minnesota or other regions of the United States. “Access to Minnesota’s vast array of scientific and literary materials is now secured,” Minitex director Maggie Snow is quoted as saying. “By evaluating collections collectively, libraries can better serve the students, researchers, and communities.”
“Saturday Night at the Lakeside Supper Club” by Minnesota native J. Ryan Stradal is out in paperback. As with his previous novels, “Kitchens of the Great Midwest” and “The Lager Queen of Minnesota,” his latest won praise from fans and critics. It’s the story of the advent of supper clubs, born in Wisconsin during the Depression and unique to the Midwest. Named one of the best books of 2023 by Publishers Weekly and Barnes & Noble, it’s filled with family drama, the changing restaurant scene in Midwest small towns, and strong women.
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