Chapter 16
A Community of Tennessee Writers, Readers & Passersby

The Ball is Your Heart

Kwame Alexander talks with Chapter 16 about basketball, family, and the rules of life

In this interview, which first appeared at Chapter 16 in 2015, Kwame Alexander reflects on basketball, music, political consciousness, and the challenges and rewards of writing. Alexander will appear at the Benjamin L. Hooks Library in Memphis on April 22 and at Lipscomb University in Nashville on April 23. 

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Being Neighborly the Maggie Valley Way

Kerry Madden-Lunsford returns to the Smoky Mountains in her new picture book

East Tennessee native Kerry Madden-Lunsford visits Parnassus Books on April 14 to share her newest picture book, Ernestine’s Milky Way, with young readers.

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Learning How to Be Patient and Daring

A transplant survivor navigates the choppy waters of love in Ashley Herring Blake’s new middle-grade novel

Life is more than a little complicated for the twelve-year-old protagonist of Ashley Herring Blake’s new middle-grade novel, The Mighty Heart of Sunny St. James. Once Sunny makes it through her heart transplant, she faces even bigger hurdles. Blake will appear at Parnassus Books in Nashville on March 26.

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Finding a Friend Beneath the Poetree

Shauna LaVoy Reynolds talks with Chapter 16 about her debut picture book

Nashville children’s author Shauna LaVoy Reynolds visits Parnassus Books on March 22 to share her debut picture book, Poetree, a gentle ode to spring and friendship.

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The Shape Trilogy Comes Full Circle

Celebrated children’s author Mac Barnett discusses his new picture book

Award-winning children’s author Mac Barnett wraps up his Shape Trilogy with Circle, the last book in the bestselling series illustrated by Jon Klassen. Barnett returns to Parnassus Books in Nashville on March 11.

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Coming of Age on Public-Access TV

Jeff Zentner’s latest YA novel is a B-movie-themed delight

Jeff Zentner’s new YA novel, Rayne & Delilah’s Midnite Matinee, is a coming-of-age story about two best friends and their monster-movie show in Jackson, Tennessee. Zentner will appear at Parnassus Books in Nashville on February 26.

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