Event Updates: Aaron Boyd and Kid Picks, Marjorie Ingall on Parenting at Congregation Sinai, the latest from Shannon Messenger, Soulstice Theatre's staged reading, and book club night at the Lynden with Lauren Fox.

Event update from Boswell:

Wednesday, November 9, 7 pm, at Boswell:
A night of kids recommendations featuring local illustrator Aaron Boyd, author of Melena's Jubilee and Calling the Water Drum.

Finding the perfect book is hard enough, especially for kids, teens, and the young-at-heart reader, but don't fret - we have you covered! Join our children's book buyer Amie Mechler-Hickson and booksellers Todd Wellman and Barbara Katz for a night of children's recommendations ranging from board books through teens and young adult. Additionally, Milwaukee artist and illustrator Aaron Boyd, of Melena's Jubilee and Calling the Water Drum, will be debuting his newest art for the Boswell Holiday Bag.

Aaron Boyd is the illustrator of 25 children's books including Luigi and the Barefoot Races. His newly illustrated books both capture the joyous spirit of empathy. In Melena's Jubilee, Melena has had a bad day, but the next morning, she wakes up with a song in her heart, ready to spread kindness. And Calling the Water Drum features a Haitian boy who lost his parents while attempting to flee by boat, and afterwards, can only communicate with his drum.

Hope you'll find your next favorite book for kids. Please note that while kids are welcome, this event is targeted to adults. And we'll also be unveiling Aaron Boyd's new Boswell holiday bag!

Thursday, November 10, 4 pm, at Boswell:
Shannon Messenger, author of Lodestar, the final entry in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series:

Middle grade author Shannon Messenger returns with the fifth installment in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series. In Lodestar, Sophie Foster is back in the Lost Cities, but the Lost Cities have changed. The threat of war hangs heavy over her glittering world, and the Neverseen are wreaking havoc. The lines between friend and enemy have blurred, and Sophie is unsure whom to trust. But when she's warned that the people she loves most will be the next victims, she knows she has to act.

Here's Shannon Messenger herself, talking about the new book: "The story won't always go the way you're expecting it to--and I have a feeling this one will make you shout at the pages and fling the book into the wall (or maybe kick it) and ugly-cry at least once (I know I did as I wrote it). But if it does, that means I'm doing my job right. (Just make sure you don't accidentally hit anyone when you throw it--this thing is heavy. You could hurt someone!)"

Thursday, November 10, 7 pm, at Congregation Sinai, 8223 N Port Washington in Fox Point:
Marjorie Ingall, author of Mamaleh Knows Best: What Jewish Mothers Do to Raise Successful, Creative, Empathetic, Independent Children.

We all know the stereotype of the Jewish mother: needy, hectoring, guilt-inducing. In Mamaleh Knows Best, Tablet parenting columnist Marjorie Ingall argues that this stereotype is a misrepresentation of a specific parenting style; in reality, the best of Jewish parenting involves equal parts support, motivation, encouragement, concern, and brisket.

In ten chapters, using personal anecdotes, historical texts, and research from today's leading parenting experts, Ingall lays out the commandments value education, fill your life with meaningful ritual, maintain discipline-for bringing up self-sufficient, ethical, and accomplished children. Ingall will make you think and she will make you laugh. You might not produce a Nobel Prize winner, but you might just get a good human being.

Congregation Sinai will have a dessert reception following the talk. Celebrate Ingall's return to Milwaukee on Thursday, November 10, 7 pm at Congregation Sinai, 8223 N Port Washington in Fox Point.


Thursday, November 10, 7 pm, at Boswell:
United We Read, featuring an evening of writers from the UWM Creative Writing program.

We are proud to present United We Read a student/faculty reading series, that will feature the creative works of UWM students Ae Hee Lee, Brookes Moody, and Ben Turk as well as Professor George Clark. Who knows? You might catch a future literary superstar!

Thursday, November 11 and Friday, November 12, 7 pm:
Two performances of a staged reading of Dava Sobel's And the Sun Stood Still.

The Soulstice Theatre reimagines the dramatic encounter between German mathematician Georg Joachim Rheticus and astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus in their staged reading of Dava Sobel's And the Sun Stood Still. This event had its genesis when Sobel appeared several years ago to discuss A More Perfect Heaven: How Copernicus Revolutionized the Cosmos. She'd been working on this Copernicus play and the Soulstice Theatre agreed to stage an excerpt at our event.

Join us in an evening of theatrics from the Seat of Our Pants Readers Theatre Troupe. Admission is free but donations to the Soulstice Theatre will be accepted. A big thank you to Mark Flagg for putting this together.

While Dava Sobel will not be attending this event, don't forget that her new book, The Glass Universe: How the Ladies of the Harvard Observatory Took the Measure of the Stars comes out on December 6. Why not have us hold a copy for you when it is published?

Monday, November 14, 7 pm reception, 7:30 talk, at the Lynden Sculpture Garden, 2145 W Brown Deer Rd:
A ticketed book club evening with Lauren Fox, author of Days of Awe.

Looking for great adult book recommendations? Look no further! Jane and I will be presenting our latest picks. Lauren Fox will not only discuss Days of Awe, but she will also recommend her favorite titles. Boswell will have an assortment of their picks on hand for purchase too.

Tickets are $22 and $18 for Lynden member, and includes a copy of Days of Awe. Purchase your ticket here, or by phone at (414) 446-8794. This event is produced by Milwaukee Reads.