Children's, middle grade authors line up for Quail Ridge Books visits

Quail Ridge Books & Music in Raleigh has a busy couple of weeks ahead with visits from authors of children's and middle grade books.

Middle Grade Mania with authors Rebecca Petruck, Edith Cohn and Kami Kinard, 7 p.m., Tuesday, Oct. 14: Petruck brings "Steering Toward Normal" for ages 12 and up. It's "an engaging family saga centering around a year of big change for 8th grader Diggy. Cohn's debut novel is "Spirit's Key" for ages 9 and up. "Spirit still mourns her dog, Sky, one of her island's 'wild dogs.' When Sky starts to appear to Spirit, perhaps she's finally developing her family's powers of precognition." And Kinard brings "The Boy Problem: Notes and Predictions of Tabitha Reddy." That one is for ages 9 and up.

James and Kimberly Dean visit 5 p.m., Wednesday, Oct. 15: James Dean is the artist behind the wildly popular "Pete the Cat" series. He visits with the new "Pete the Cat and the New Guy." It's best for ages 4 and up. This is a signing line ticket event. You can get a ticket to get your copy of "Pete the Cat and the New Guy" signed by Dean if you purchase the book from Quail Ridge. Kimberly Dean, James' wife, also has been involved in the series.

The Ladybug Girl of the popular picture book series visits at 11 a.m., Saturday, Oct. 18. A costumed character portraying Ladybug Girl will be on hand for a special storytime. She'll be here to promote "Ladybug Girl and the Dress-Up Dilemma." She'll also be available for pictures. This is best for ages 3 and up. 

Author Tommy Greenwald visits 7 p.m., Oct. 21, with his book "Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Making Money." "In Charlie Joe Jackson's Guide to Making Money, Charlie Joe's about to find out that wild schemes may be more work than, well, working." It's best for ages 9 and up. All are welcome to this program, but it's designed especially for teachers and media specialists.

National Book Award Finalist Jacqueline Woodson visits at 7 p.m., Oct. 22, with her new book "Brown Girl Dreaming." Quail Ridge staff describes it as "brilliant, absolutely brilliant." "As Woodson relates the part of her childhood spent in South Carolina, you will live the early days of the Civil Rights movement as viewed by a child being schooled in the art of living black safely in the South." For ages 10 and up. This is a signing line ticket event. Buy a copy of "Brown Girl Dreaming" from Quail Ridge and get a ticket to have it signed by Woodson.