Bramlage Author Series Presents: Alan Gratz

Alan Gratz, author of four novels for young adults, will visit the Joplin Public Library Tuesday, February 16, 2010 in the first of a series of author visits made possible by a grant from the Bramlage Family Foundation. His presentation will be in the library’s large meeting room at 6:00 pm and will include time for questions from the audience. Gratz will also be available after his presentation to autograph copies of his novels. Changing Hands Book Shoppe will provide all four of Gratz’s works for sale at the event. This event is open to all ages.

Alan Gratz’s first novel, Samurai Shortstop, was named one of the American Library Association’s Top Ten Best Books for Young Adults in 2007. It is the story of Toyo Shimada, a 16-year-old boy in 1890’s Japan, who must blend baseball and bushido—the way of the warrior—in order to keep his family together. His novels Something Rotten and Something Wicked are loosely based on the Shakespearean plays Hamlet and Macbeth. They follow Horatio Wilkes as he navigates murder, deceit and conspiracy to get to the bottom of two mysteries and save the day. Gratz’s latest novel, The Brooklyn Nine returns to baseball and chronicles nine generations, or innings, of the Schneider family and their ties to the national pastime.

Gratz will spend Wednesday, February 17, 2010 at the Joplin High School visiting with various Communication Arts classes in the school’s library.

In addition to sponsoring the visit from Alan Gratz, the Bramlage Author Series will include author visits from Carolyn Hart on April 10, Nancy Pickard on July 10, and Will Thomas on October 9, 2010.