Author appearances: Vatican City priest to discuss Pope's new book in La Grange

• Father Antonio Spadaro, a journalist/editor from Vatican City, will discuss the book by Pope Francis, "Dear Pope Francis: The Pope Answers Letters From Children Around the World," at 7 p.m. Monday, Feb. 29, at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 124 N. Spring Ave., La Grange. Along with Spadaro, a local resident whose question was featured in the pope's book will be on hand. Free. Books will be available for purchase and signing by Spadaro. Event is sponsored by Anderson's Bookshop of La Grange. andersonsbookshop.com.

• Sasha Martin, food blogger and author of the memoir "Life From Scratch," discusses her book at 11:30 a.m. Wednesday, March 2, at a luncheon at The Grille on Laurel, 181 E. Laurel Ave., Lake Forest. Tickets cost $45. A copy of Martin's book is included with admission. Register by calling the Lake Forest Book Store at (847) 234-4420.

• "Hope for a Cool Pillow" author Margaret Overton discusses her book at 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. (847) 446-8880 or thebookstall.com.

• The First Division Museum at Cantigny Park hosts a presentation by author Peter L. Belmonte at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday, March 2, in the visitors center, 1S151 Winfield Road, Wheaton. Belmonte will discuss his new book, "Days of Perfect Hell: The U.S. 26th Infantry Regiment in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, October-November 1918." Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Belmonte, who retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2003 after serving 20 years, currently works for the U.S. Department of Defense. Books will be available for purchase and signing following the author's presentation. Admission and parking are free. The event is part of the First Division Museum's monthly Date with History series. firstdivisionmuseum.org.

• "The Portable Veblen" author Elizabeth McKenzie discusses her book at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at The Book Stall at Chestnut Court, 811 Elm St., Winnetka. (847) 446-8880 or thebookstall.com.

• Meet Jonathan Mooney, author of "The Short Bus: A Journey Beyond Normal" and "Learning Outside the Lines," at 7 p.m. Thursday, March 3, at Glenbard West High School, 670 Crescent Blvd., Glen Ellyn. The event is free and presented by the Glenbard Parents Network. Anderson's Bookshop is sponsoring the event. Tickets are not required. Books will be available for purchase and signing after author's program. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.

• "Wing and Claw: Forest of Wonders" author Linda Sue Park signs copies of her book at 2 p.m. Saturday, March 5, at Anderson's Bookshop, 123 W. Jefferson Ave., Naperville. To reserve a place in the signing line, purchase a copy of Park's book from Anderson's. (630) 355-2665 or andersonsbookshop.com.