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Jason Reynolds Presented wtih Library Speakers Consortium

Writing Beloved Characters and Portrayals of Resilience

2026-04-30 18:00:00 2026-04-30 19:00:00 America/Chicago Jason Reynolds Presented wtih Library Speakers Consortium Virtual -

Thursday, April 30
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-04-30 18:00:00 2026-04-30 19:00:00 America/Chicago Jason Reynolds Presented wtih Library Speakers Consortium Join us for a virtual event with bestselling author Jason Reynolds to discuss his latest work, "Coach," the last entry in the popular "Track" series. Virtual -

Join us for a virtual event with bestselling author Jason Reynolds to discuss his latest work, "Coach," the last entry in the popular "Track" series.

Join us for a virtual event with bestselling author Jason Reynolds to discuss his latest work, Coach, the fifth–and last–entry in the highly popular Track series. Following the immersive stories of Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny, it’s finally time for Coach to shine in his own book as we discover: Who was Coach before he became an inspiring leader?


Before Coach was the man who gave caring yet firm-handed guidance to Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny on the Defenders track team, he was little Otie Brody, who was obsessed with Mr. 9.99 (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Like Mr. 9.99—and his own dad—Otie is a sprinter. Sprint free or die is practically his motto.


Then his dad, who is always away on business trips, comes home with a pair of Jordans. JORDANS. Fine as fine can be. Otie puts them on and feels like he can leap to the moon…maybe even leap like Mr. 9.99 when he won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump. But one morning he wakes up to find his brand-new secret weapon kicks are missing—right off his feet! And Otie just might have a fuzzy memory of his dad easing them off as Otie was sleeping, but that can’t be right, can it?


Unless all the reasons for his dad’s “gone’s” are very different from what he’s been told… Because now, not only are the Jordans missing, but so is his father.


About the Author:


Jason Reynolds is an award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author. Jason’s many books include Miles Morales: Spider Man, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Coretta Scott King Honor, and Look Both Ways, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Recently named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jason has appeared on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and CBS This Morning. He is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program. 

Presented with Library Speakers Consortium.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Library. 

AGE GROUP: | Teens | Kids | Family |

EVENT TYPE: | Books & Authors |

TAGS: | Kids | Author Events |

Highland Park Public Library

Phone: 847-432-0216

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Fri, Apr 03, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sun, Apr 05, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Easter

Mon, Apr 06, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Mon, Apr 06, 4:00pm - 5:00pm
New venue Highland Park Public Library - Activity Room
Love Graphic Novels? Come talk about them!
This event is full

Tue, Apr 07, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Wed, Apr 08, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Wed, Apr 08, 10:00am - 10:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Apr 08, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Apr 08, 4:30pm - 5:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Learn how to make a block print using Styrofoam and decorate a journal cover! Snacks provided! Drop ins welcome.

Thu, Apr 09, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Thu, Apr 09, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Thu, Apr 09, 6:30pm - 7:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Put on your jammies and join us for a fun family storytime featuring stories, songs, and more. Registration is not required, but space is limited. Check in at Youth Desk begins at 6 p.m.

Fri, Apr 10, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Fri, Apr 10, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Fri, Apr 10, 3:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
Learn how to use our vinyl cutter and personalize your swag with our pre-cut designs.

Sat, Apr 11, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Sat, Apr 11, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
Join us and play board games! Library staff will be available to help you choose a game and learn the rules!

Sun, Apr 12, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Origami is the art of folding paper into amazing shapes. Join us for this month's origami challenge. Pick up your kit at the Youth Services desk while supplies last. For ages 5-14

Mon, Apr 13, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event. This event will take place in the Brenner Room.

Tue, Apr 14, 1:00pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration Required. Join us in the Brenner Room for a discussion on "Isola" by Allegra Goodman, led by Judy Levin.

Tue, Apr 14, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Virtual
Library Speakers Consortium presents a virtual event with bestselling author Brad Taylor. Taylor will discuss "Shadow Strike," his latest book.Register

Tue, Apr 14, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Executive Director's Office
The Building & Grounds Committee will meet from 7-8:30pm

Thu, Apr 16, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Thu, Apr 16, 10:30am - 11:00am
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event. This event will take place in the Brenner Room.

Thu, Apr 16, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Join Miss Kelly in the Activity Room for a musical storytime! For ages 18 months - 3 years. Check in at Youth desk starting 30 min prior to event. This event will take place in the Brenner Room.

Thu, Apr 16, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Virtual
Library Speakers Consortium presents a virtual event with Alex Hutchinson, author of "The Explorer's Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map."Register

Thu, Apr 16, 1:30pm - 2:30pm
Highland Park Public Library
Join us for Memory Café, a welcoming and safe space for individuals with memory loss and mild cognitive impairment. Caregivers and loved ones are encouraged to attend.

Thu, Apr 16, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Davis Schneiderman, Executive Director of the Krebs Center for the Humanities and Professor of English at Lake Forest College, leads the book discussion of Black Dogs by Ian McEwan.

Fri, Apr 17, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sat, Apr 18, 9:00am - 12:00pm
Curt's Cafe in Highland Park
Bring a craft project to work on and meet fellow crafters in your community. This program is suitable for adults.

Sat, Apr 18, 11:00am - 1:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Ven y decora cocinitas con Mi Madre Lo Hizo, una tiendita de arte situada en Chicago. Come decorate mini kitchens with Chicago-based artists from the small business, Mi Madre Lo Hizo.
This event is full

Mon, Apr 20, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Mon, Apr 20, 5:30pm - 6:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Learn basic graphic design using Canva's free templates. Create social media graphics, posters, or invitations. No design experience needed.

Mon, Apr 20, 6:30pm - 8:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
350 pieces. One hour. Do you have what it takes to win? Register with a friend!/ 350 piezas. Una hora. ¿Tienes lo necesario para ganar? ¡Regístrate con un amigo!
This event is full

Tue, Apr 21, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Tue, Apr 21, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
The Library Board of Trustees regularly meets on the third Tuesday of each month at 7:00 p.m., except where indicated otherwise.

Wed, Apr 22, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Wed, Apr 22, 10:00am - 10:30am
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Apr 22, 11:30am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Registration not required but space is limited. Check in at the Youth Services desk up to 30 min. prior to start time. Ages 0 - 18 months.

Wed, Apr 22, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Charlie Maimone, a doctoral candidate working on his PhD in philosophy at the U. of I., where he also teaches Philosophy and Ethics courses, will lead the discussion of Amerika by Franz Kafka.

Thu, Apr 23, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Thu, Apr 23, 1:00pm - 2:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Brenner Room
Jim Marquardt, professor of politics and international relations, Lake Forest College, explores several critical questions about the bombing campaign launched by the U.S. and Israel.

Thu, Apr 23, 6:00pm - 7:30pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Join us each month as we discuss a movie and/or film genre.

Fri, Apr 24, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Sat, Apr 25, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Sat, Apr 25, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Indian Trail School - Multipurpose Room
Join us for a multi-scent exploration designed to help with stress relief, mental clarity and energy restoration and allowing you find calm and connection.

Sun, Apr 26, All day
Highland Park Public Library
Nothing says welcome Spring like birds nesting under a starlit sky.

Mon, Apr 27, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Edgewood Middle School
James Beard Award winner and Boka Restaurant Group cofounder Kevin Boehm discusses his book "The Bottomless Cup: A Memoir of Secrets, Restaurants, and Forgiveness."

Tue, Apr 28, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Love to read? Always looking for book recommendations? Meet fellow bibliophiles at Readers' Round Table! Join us in Room #8.

Thu, Apr 30, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Thu, Apr 30, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Virtual
Join us for a virtual event with bestselling author Jason Reynolds to discuss his latest work, "Coach," the last entry in the popular "Track" series.Register

Fri, May 01, 2:00pm - 4:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Lobby
Meet the new Social Services Specialist for the City of Highland Park. Conozca a la nueva especialista en servicios sociales de la ciudad de Highland Park.

Sat, May 02, 12:00pm - 2:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Adult Services
Meet fellow comic book lovers and trade your favorites! Stay for crafts and trivia!

Sat, May 02, 2:00pm - 3:00pm
Highland Park Public Library - Meeting Room 8
Introduction to 3D printing using Tinkercad. Design a simple object and learn how to prepare it for printing on the library's 3D printer.

Sat, May 02, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
Indian Trail School - Multipurpose Room
Venga a un taller de Aromaterapia Terapéutica con respiración guiada, experiencias de aromas terapéuticos y herramientas prácticas para el bienestar en cualquier lugar. Encuentre su calma.