Carroll County Public Library and Park Books on Main are bringing New York Times bestselling author Adam Gidwitz to Westminster for the Battle of the Books Celebration on Friday, June 5, at Westminster High School.
The event is free and open to the public. Doors open at 6 p.m., with a book signing at 6:30 p.m., the main author talk at 7 p.m., and a second signing at 8 p.m. Advance registration is required and can be done at ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/adam-gidwitz.
Free copies of Gidwitz's latest book, Max in the Land of Lies — a WWII middle-grade novel and sequel to the #2 New York Times bestseller Max in the House of Spies — will be distributed while supplies last, one per family. Additional books will be available for purchase and signing.
Gidwitz is a former Brooklyn elementary school teacher who began writing after discovering that scary fairy tales were the only thing that kept his students quiet. His debut novel, A Tale Dark & Grimm, launched a beloved trilogy later adapted into an animated Netflix series. His Newbery Honor book, The Inquisitor's Tale, is a medieval adventure that has become a staple of middle school reading lists.
Gidwitz also created the Unicorn Rescue Society series and the #1 children's podcast Grimm, Grimmer, Grimmest, in which he retells classic fairy tales — the show has been nominated for a Webby Award.
His WWII spy duology, Max in the House of Spies and Max in the Land of Lies, follows a young Jewish boy navigating Nazi-occupied Europe. Max in the Land of Lies debuted on the New York Times bestseller list earlier this year.
Author visits from Gidwitz have drawn praise from schools and libraries across the country; event organizers describe his presentations as high-energy and interactive, with a particular ability to connect with reluctant readers.
Registration & Details
Advance registration is required at ccpl.librarymarket.com/event/adam-gidwitz. Westminster High School is located at 1225 Washington Road in Westminster, MD.
Photo: from Carroll County Public Library website.