Printz Honor Award Winning Author Delights Arlington Audiences

The fabulous YA and adult author Rainbow Rowell spent Monday morning talking to students at W-L.

They asked excellent questions, including whether “Rainbow” is her real name. (Answer: If you were going to make up a pen name, would you choose Rainbow?)

In the evening, adults and teens packed the Central Library auditorium to hear Rowell read from her books (via an eBook on her phone) and talk about her experience being dis-invited to speak at Anoka County Library last year, after complaints that her book “Eleanor & Park” was “pornographic,” “sexually explicit” and too controversial for even a teenage audience. 

Some attendees were also photographed reading their favorite Banned or Challenged books, for this year’s Banned Books Week mugshots.

But best of all, Rowell talked about writing.

Her quotable (and tweetable) statements included “I have to write to get the words off from around my neck” and “We have a lot of librarians and teachers here tonight. I can tell by your cardigans.” In fact, Rowell’s appearance was one of the most highly-tweeted and instagrammed programs we’ve done so far.

 

Danielle and Lelia from One More Page Books were also on hand for anyone who wanted to buy copies of Rowell’s books.

And after her talk the author signed books and spoke to many attendees.

 

We are so happy Rainbow Rowell could join us – it was a hilarious, fabulous night!