Community Corner
Keynote Authors For Ever-Read Literary Festival Announced
Nationally acclaimed authors Arshay Cooper and Amanda Joy will headline the March 16 lit festival at Evergreen Park Community High School.

EVERGREEN PARK, IL - The Evergreen Park Public Library and Evergreen Park Community High School have announced that acclaimed authors Amanda Joy and Arshay Cooper will headline the soon-to-be-famous Ever-Read Young Adult Literary Festival on Saturday, March 16, at Evergreen Park Community High School's award-winning Learning Resource Center.
These big-league authors will discuss their literary works, their inspirations, and the power of their stories.
Amanda Joy is a Chicago author and self-described "bookstagrammer." She will discuss her debut fantasy novel, 'A River of Royal Blood,' which is a Junior Library Guild Selection. School Library Journal describes A River of Royal Blood: "Filled with mythical creatures, ancient traditions, sibling rivalries, political intrigue, and epic world-building, this book stands out as
a masterful adventure.”
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When Joy is not writing thrilling fantasy novels, you can find her touring the city’s coffeeshops, and trekking around Chicago with her dog Luna.
Arshay Cooper is a Rower, Benjamin Franklin award-winning author, the protagonist of the critically acclaimed film "A Most Beautiful Thing," a Golden Oar recipient for his contributions to the sport of rowing, motivational speaker, and activist, particularly around the issues of accessibility for low-income families. Cooper grew up on the West Side of Chicago and in
1997 joined (which later became) the country’s first all-Black high school rowing team at Manley High School.
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Together in conversation, Amanda Joy and Arshay Cooper will ignite our imaginations and reveal the power of telling our stories.
The Ever-Read YA Literary Festival will bring together ten outstanding authors, three author-led writing workshops, and a book-signing session. This event is free and open to teens and adults who read and love Young Adult Literature. The first 150 teens, ages 12-18, to register online receive a free book coupon and a festival swag bag.
Visit evergreenparklibrary.org for more festival information or contact Mary Black at 708.422.8522 or Dr. Tina Ward at 708.424.7400.