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Greg Mortenson Speaks on Peace at the Two-Year Anniversary of Virginia Tech’s Tragedy

When Penguin Speakers Bureau (PSB) received a heartfelt letter from Virginia Tech senior Megan Mirmelstein, the "wheels" began to set in motion for Greg Mortenson to visit her campus and speak on peace at the two-year anniversary of the Virginia Tech (VT) Tragedy. At the time PSB received Megan's letter, she had recently finished reading Three Cups of Tea, and immediately thought a visit to her campus by Greg would honor those students and faculty tragically lost to us on April 16, 2007. Megan knew Greg's message of peace and hope would touch everyone, but she felt a visit from him would particularly honor her boyfriend and good friend, both International Studies majors who were among those students lost.

On the eve of the anniversary, Greg spoke to 2,900 people at VT's Burruss Auditorium. On April 16th, he toured the newly opened Center for Peace Studies at VT (the site of the shootings), and had brunch with the victims’ families, where Greg gave them each a copy of Three Cups of Tea. He also visited Blacksburg New School, where the school kids presented him with a check of the money they had raised for Pennies for Peace.

Karen Gilbert, Virginia Tech’s event organizer, said: “Greg's visit to our campus and community lifted our spirits in ways we never even imagined. It was a great honor to meet Greg. It meant a great deal to the families of victims of our tragedy that he came to speak, especially to our student leaders - and that he attended the Open House for our new Center for Peace Studies. Blacksburg New School could not have been more thrilled with his special visit to their school. The President of our Corporate Research Center, Joe Meredith, said, ‘Bringing Greg Mortenson here is the best thing Virginia Tech has ever done.’ Greg was extremely, extremely well received by all who attended-a nearly full house. There was a warm excitement and lots of enthusiasm for Greg's work in the air. Everyone left the event highly inspired. We can only hope Greg can return to our campus sometime in the future, especially to support our new Center for Peace Studies and Violence Prevention even further.”
 

Richelle Mead Fans Choose Vampire Academy over Twilight

Richelle Mead, author of the New York Times bestselling Vampire Academy series (Razorbill), has been greeted by standing-room-only crowds this week on her West Coast tour. At events in Scottsdale, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco, fans not only declared their love of the series, they wore it! Mead’s fans unanimously prefer Vampire Academy over Twilight and made that clear with hand-made t-shirts and tote bags with messages such as “Keep Edward, I Want Dimitri.” Richelle (pictured here with some fans) will be back on the road this September for Blood Promise, the fourth installment in the Vampire Academy series (on sale August 25th).

Read the first chapter of Vampire Academy and check out the “Is your school a Vampire Academy” quiz here.
 

DK Publishing and Star Wars’ 501st Legion to Kick Off Children’s Book Week

Join DK Publishing and Vader’s Fist 501st Legion at Bryant Park this Saturday May 9th from noon until 3:00pm as they kick off Children’s Book Week 2009, organized by the Children’s Book Council. The 501st Legion is a volunteer club organized to celebrate the Star Wars movies and to contribute to the local community through charity and volunteer work. Fully costumed Stormtroopers and Imperial Officers of New York City’s Empire City Garrison will be reading The Story of Darth Vader on-stage at noon. Stop by and get your picture taken with these guys.
 

Author Ron Carlson Promotes Five Skies, the 2009 “Reading Across Rhode Island” Selection

Ron Carlson, author of Five Skies (Viking/Penguin) heads to Providence Rhode Island this weekend for “Reading Across Rhode Island,” where he’ll talk to readers all across the state about his book for the ‘one book, one state’ literacy project of the Rhode Island Center for the Book at Providence Public Library. Members of the community have been reading his book since January.

Carlson kicks off the program on Friday with a live video conference at Woomsocket High School, where he’ll reach 300 students, followed by a sold-out talk to 400 on Saturday at the Annual Reading Across Rhode Island May Breakfast at Rhodes on the Pawtuxet. To further promote the event, Carlson did some blogging on the official website. Check it out here http://ribook.blogspot.com/

Ron’s latest novel, The Signal, is due out from Viking in June.

Listen to a podcast interview with author Ron Carlson, who’s also head of the creative writing program at UC Irvine, and explore the reading group guide for Five Skies.

Pictured: Rhode Island welcomes Ron and his book to town.

Penguin’s Kaya McLaren Gains Popularity with On the Divinity of Second Chances

Having been chosen as the “Story of the Day” on www.DarynKagan.com earlier this week, Penguin author Kaya McLaren’s audience is growing by the minute.

The Deseret Morning News calls her newly published novel On the Divinity of Second Chances, “quirky and delightful…McLaren’s unique view of things brings a greater depth to the story, as pains and triumphs are developed on a personal level. McLaren brings light to a vulnerable and heartbreaking situation with a grace and dignity not seen by most. On the Divinity of Second Chances is a refreshing change from daily drudgery and is well worth your time.”

And if this glowing review didn’t persuade you to get a copy, watch this fun video of Kaya McLaren from a recent “umbrella skiing” trip. In addition, be sure to check out this three-minute video to get to know Kaya a bit better and listen to her talk about her new book.

Listen to an audio excerpt from On the Divinity of Second Chances.

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