Literary calendar: Author Molly Beth Griffin and illustrator Meleck Davis launch ‘The Big Leaf Leap’

Mary Ann Grossmann, Pioneer Press
·2 min read

PHIL ADAMO: Presents “The Medievalist: A Novel,” in conversation with David Jones. In-person. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.

BORDEN/WYNN: Susan Borden signs copies of “Clockwise” and Steve Wynn signs “The Culvers Report.” 10-11:30 a.m. Friday, Sept. 9, Lake Country Booksellers, 4766 Washington Square, White Bear Lake.

KAREN COOPER: Photo historian and writer tells the history of Minnehaha Falls from the 1850s through 1889 in “When Minnehaha Flowed with Whiskey,” recalling a time when the falls area was a scene of mayhem. The waterfall was privately owned and entrepreneurs made money from hotels and concessions. Even after the area became a city park, shady operators set up at its borders using corrupt police “security.” There was drinking carousing, sideshows, dances that attracted unescorted women, until 1900 when social reformers began to redeem the falls. Publication celebration 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, Icehouse in Minneapolis, 2528 Nicollet Ave S.

CARLA J. HAGEN: Introduces her new novel, “Muskeg,” second in her Minnesota-Canada Borderland trilogy. Her debut, “Hand Me down My Walking Cane,” won the 2012 Midwest Book Award for best literary fiction and best historical fiction. 6 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. s., Mpls.

LITERARY BRIDGES: Reading series celebrates its sixth anniversary and its merger with Literary Lights with readings by Richard Terrill, Mary Jo Pehl, Tim Nolan, Michael Kiesow, River Maria Urke, Julie Martin, Rick Hilber and Frances James. 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 11, Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul.

LOVING LEAVES: Author Molly Beth Griffin and illustrator Meleck Davis, both Minneapolitans, tell the story in “The Big Leaf Leap” of a little girl who longs to jump into a big pile of fall leaves. But she needs help to make the pile really huge. Some neighbor kids come over to help, then more kids from down the street. Their pile is made up of beautiful leaves from so many trees: maple, oak, gingko, aspen, birch, locust, brought to a vacant lot where beautiful children from so many families unite in a single goal of having fun. Publication launch 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul.

MANGA MANIA: Calling all weebs, dweebs and otaku to Next Chapter Booksellers Manga club, a forum to casually discuss a new title every month. No RSVP necessary. At 5 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 10, the title for discussion is “Solanin” by Inio Asano. At the store, 38 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul.

CLAIRE SCHWARTZ: Discusses “Civil Service” with Lara Mamosa Montes. 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 8, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.

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