Book notes: Molly Shannon debuts kids' book in Naperville

Ÿ “The Underdogs” author Mike Lupica reads from and signs copies of his new novel for middle readers at 7 p.m. Friday, Sept. 23, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

Ÿ Chicago-area authors Frances McNamara and Joan Naper present a program titled “A Woman's Eye View of Chicago at the Turn-of-the-Century” at the Cook Memorial Library District's Book Club Extravaganza from 10 a.m. to noon Saturday, Sept. 24, at the Sullivan Community Center, 635 N. Aspen Drive, Vernon Hills. McNamara has written the Emily Cabot mystery series, and Naper is the author of “Beautiful Dreamer.” Following the presentation, the authors will be available for questions and signings. Books will be available for purchase. Local author Michele Weber Hurwitz will also make an appearance to discuss her novel for middle-grade readers, “Calli Be Gold.” To register for the author events, call (847) 362-2330 or visit webres.cooklib.org.

Ÿ Meet local author Ashleigh Deese Grambo as she reads and discusses her children's book “C is for Chicago” at a story time session at 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at Cook Park Library, 413 N. Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Grambo's book will be available for purchase and signing at the event. (847) 362-2330.

Ÿ James V. O'Connor discusses and signs copies of his mystery-romance novel “Another Man's Treasure” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 24, at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. (847) 446-8880 or thebookstall.com.

Ÿ Bonny Becker reads from and signs copies of her children's book “The Sniffles for Bear” at 2 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

Ÿ Author Jacqueline Preiss Weitzman and illustrator Ron Barrett team up to read from and sign copies of their new picture book, “Superhero Joe,” at 3 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. Barrett is best known for illustrating the picture book “Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs.” The event is designed for children ages 4 to 8 and their families. (847) 446-8880 or thebookstall.com.

Ÿ Author Barbara Bradley Hagerty will discuss her best-selling book “Fingerprints of God: The Search for the Science of Spirituality” at 7 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 25, at First Presbyterian Church of Arlington Heights, 302 N. Dunton Ave., Arlington Heights. The evening includes a question-and-answer session. Free child care will be provided. (847) 255-5900.

Ÿ Meet New York Times best-selling author Michael Grant as he reads from and signs copies of the next title in his “Magnificent 12” series, “The Trap,” at 7 p.m. Monday, Sept. 26, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

Ÿ Newberry Honor-winner Jack Gantos reads from and signs copies of his new middle-grade book, “Dead End in Norvelt,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 27, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

Ÿ Ridley Pearson and Dave Barry read from and sign copies of “The Bridge to Never Land,” the fifth book in their “Peter and the Starcatchers” series, at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

Ÿ Actress Molly Shannon, best known for her six-year stint on TV's “Saturday Night Live,” introduces her new children's picture book, “Tilly the Trickster,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Wentz Concert Hall and Fine Arts Center at North Central College, 171 E. Chicago Ave., Naperville. The event is sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop in Naperville. Tickets cost $20 and include one copy of Shannon's book, admission to the program, and a place in the book-signing line. A limited number of children's tickets are available for $5 each and include admission to the program, but no book. Tickets are required, and are available, while they last, at Anderson's Bookshop at 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 637-7469 or andersonsbookshop.com.

Ÿ Meet National Book Award finalist Laini Taylor as she reads from and signs copies of her new young adult fantasy book, “Daughter of Smoke and Bone,” at 7 p.m. Wednesday, Sept. 28, at Anderson's Two Doors East, 111 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

Ÿ Cynthia Janczy signs copies of her book “Love Se Magnifique” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at the Roselle Public Library, 40 S. Park St., Roselle. Call (630) 529-1641 or visit roselle.lib.il.us.

Ÿ Michelle Linn-Gust, formerly of Naperville, reads from and signs copies of her new fiction titles, “The Australian Pen Pal” and “Sisters: The Karma Twist,” at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

Ÿ “Identity: Lost” author Pascal Marco reads from and signs copies of his debut crime thriller at 7 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

Ÿ Author Tony Ardizzone will be the first guest of the 2011-2012 Elgin Community College Writer's Center Reading Series at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 29, in the Arts Center, Room VPA 191D, at Elgin Community College, 1700 Spartan Drive, Elgin. Ardizzone, a Chicago native, is the author of seven books, most recently the novels “The Whale Chaser” and “In the Garden of Papa Santuzzu.” Copies of Ardizzone's work will be available for sale and signing at the event. Free and open to the public. A pre-reading dinner with the author at 5:30 p.m. requires reservations. Contact Rachael Tecza at (847) 214-7578 or email rtecza@elgin.edu. (847) 697-1000 or elgin.edu.