Monday, October 13, 2014

At Boswell This Week: Jon Klassen and Mac Barnett (together) on Tuesday, Deborah Crombie on Wednesday, Tami Williams Thursday, Randy Soudah and Jim Peterik on Saturday (not together) and Wendelin Van Draanen and Mark Huntley Parsons Next Monday (together).

Here's what's happening this week at Boswell.

Tuesday, October 14, 6:30 pm, at Boswell: (note time):
Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen, author and illustrator of Sam and Dave Dig a Hole, with opening act Fox and Branch.

Barnett and Klassen, with their first collaboration since Extra Yarn, which received a Caldecott Honor, are back with the launch (yes, it's the first day on sale) for Sam and Dave Dig a Hole. In it, two boys set off on a fantastic (and a bit fantastical) adventure along with their dog. It's really only their dog who sees what riches are buried along the way, but for these two boys, it's the journey that matters most.

Mac Barnett is the author of many books, including one of our favorites for 2014, President Taft is Stuck in the Bath and the brand new Telephone. Jon Klassen is known for his hat duology, I Want My Hat Back and This is Not My Hat. The latter was the first book ever to be awarded both the Randolph Caldecott Medal and the Kate Greenaway Medal, the highest honors respectively in the United States and Great Britain for children's books.

Opening for Barnett and Klassen are our friends Fox and Branch, whose new collection of songs for kids (and adults) is Let Us Get Together. The new albums is a mix of traditional songs such as "Accentuate the Positive" and "I've Been Working on the Railroad" along with originals such as "Up in a Tree" and "When You Were Born." Playing on the record is Lil Rev, who'll be a Boswell to launch his new CD, Harmonica Americana, on Wednesday, November 12, 6:30 pm.


Wednesday, October 15, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Deborah Crombie, author of To Dwell in Darkness.

I continue to be thrilled by the authors who tour to Boswell, and we're pleased to note this is Deborah Crombie's first visit to the Cream City ever, and my definitive source on that is Jon Jordan of Crimespree magazine, who would know these things.  And both Jon and Ruth say that Crombie is completely delightful and will please both new and old fans.

To Dwell in Darkness is Crombie's 16th novel (our wholesaler says 15th, but we're trusting the author) featuring Duncan Kincaid and Gemma James, a pair of London detectives with three kids (two from a previous marriage and one foster child) and a menagerie of pets. James works in South London while Kincaid calls Scotland Yard home base, though he's been recently demoted. They are both handling multiple cases but their paths cross when a protest in St. Pancras Station turns violent, leading to a fire and at least one terrible death.

Carole E. Barrowman reviews the book in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. And Shelf Awareness writes that "the darkness of the crimes spills over into the protagonists' household, creating a sense of conspiracy and unease that will keep readers anxiously turning the pages."

Thursday, October 16, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Tami Williams, author of Germaine Dulac: A Cinema of Sensations

Co-sponsored by the UWM Department of English, Tami Wiliams will discuss her new book, an in-depth historical study of the trailblazing feminist filmmaker. Best known for directing the Impressionist classic, The Smiling Madame Beudet, and hte first surrealist film, The Seashell and the Clergymen, Germaine Dulac made close to 30 (fictional) films as well as numerous documentaries and newsreels. As an aside, distinguishing other films from documentaries could really use the coining of a retronym.

Through her filmmaking, writing, and cine-club activism, Dulac’s passionate defense of the cinema as a lyrical art and social practice had a major influence on twentieth century film history and theory. Williams makes unprecedented use of the filmmaker's personal papers, production files, and archival film prints to produce the first full-length historical study and critical biography of Dulac.

Saturday, October 18, 2 pm, at Boswell:
Randy Soudah, author of Freddy and Betty and the Halloween Rescue

Once an Eastsider, now in Brookfield, with a stint in Seattle, Randy Soudah has created a picture book of two kids who are so excited about Halloween, but first have to do their chores. But uh oh, they get lost during trick or treating. They find a policeman, but mom and dad always said to not go with strangers. Will this story have a happy ending? You'll have to read to find out.

Saturday, October 18, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Jim Peterik, author of Through the Eye of the Tiger: The Rock 'n' Roll Life of Survivor's Founding Member.

Jim Peterik might be best known for being a founder member of Survivor (the original incarnation was called The Jim Peterik Band) but the first group he was in, Ides of March, also had its share of success. Their hit "Vehicle" hit #2 in 1970. Through the Eye of the Tiger chronicles Peterik's journey, including the rise of Survivor, what led to their breakout with the "Rocky" theme, and why it might have been even more satisfying to have a hit album with no "Rocky" hits.

I learned that Mr. Peterik also co-wrote most of the hits for .38 Special, bringing a pop sensibility to the Southern rockers. But things weren't all guts and glory, however. The band mates didn't always get along, and Peterk faced the usual roadblocks that cause musicians to lose sight of their music.

Here's an interview with Scott Shannon on the WCBS-FM website. Peterik notes: “A lot of the songs I wrote endured. I want to talk about those stories,” he says “It was a very interesting process. I’m glad I did it.”

And here's a sneak peek at next Monday's event.
Monday, October 20, 7 pm, at Boswell:
Wendelin Van Draanen, author of many books, including Sammy Keyes and the Kiss Goodnight
and Ron Rash, author of Road Rage.

Please join us in welcoming the He Said, She Said Tour to Boswell! Featuring celebrated author of the Sammy Keyes Series, Wendelin Van Drannen, who will discuss and sign copies of the final book, Sammy Keyes and the Kiss Goodbye, and her husband Mark Huntley Parsons, debut author of the young adult novel Road Rash, in which teen drummer Zach’s star is on the rise. Come meet this dynamic duo at their Milwaukee stop on this unique cross-country tour!

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