Join us for an afternoon with Peoria native now Chicago-based novelist James Klise.
The author of award-winning novels for young adults, Klise’s new historical novel, “I’ll Take Everything You Have” (Algonquin Young Readers), tells a queer coming-of-age crime story that Publishers Weekly calls “a mesmerizing snapshot of 1930s Chicago.”
Klise will read briefly from the book, then join local author-librarian Joel Shoemaker on stage for a conversation about writing, research, book challenges, and more.
An audience Q&A will follow, and books will be available for sale and signing.
Free and open to the public. Live program at Peoria Public Library, North Branch.
Registration is requested, but not required. bit.ly/3ZxGEoe
Klise is a featured speaker for our first-ever Central Illinois Reads: Freedom to Read partnership.

The Freedom to Read is essential to our democracy, but also under attack.
Central Illinois libraries are joining together to encourage you to exercise your intellectual freedom.
Get a library card. Read outside your comfort zone. Unite against book bans.
Klise views the issue of censorship through different lenses — as an author whose works have been banned and also as a school librarian who understands the challenges many of his colleagues now face with the surge of book bans nationwide.
Central Illinois Reads partners include: Peoria Public Library, Chillicothe Public Library, Dunlap Public Library District, Fondulac Library District, Illinois Prairie District Public Library, Morton Public Library, Pekin Public Library, Bradley University, Methodist College and Neighborhood House.