The Eastern Connecticut State University Education Department will host an event featuring three young adult authors in the Student Center Theatre from 5:30-7 p.m. on Jan. 21. Authors Chris Lynch, Brenden Kiely and Jason Reynolds will discuss their new books.
Reynolds will be discussing his debut novel, “When I was the Greatest,” which is described on the book jacket as “a gritty, triumphant debut. This stunning story captures the heart and the hardship of life for an urban teen in Bedford-Stuyvesant, NY, where a small misunderstanding can escalate into having a price on your head—even if you’re totally clean.” Reynolds earned a B.A. in English from the University of Maryland, College Park, before moving to Brooklyn, NY. For more information on Reynolds, visit iamjasonreynolds.com.
Lynch will discuss his book “Little Blue Lies,” which is described as a gripping novel where two teens discover the true danger of love. Lynch is the Printz Honor Award-winning author of several highly acclaimed young adult novels, including “Pieces,” “Kill Switch,” “Angry Young Man” and “Inexcusable,” which was a National Book Award finalist and the recipient of six starred reviews. He is also the author of “Freewill,” “Gold Dust,” “Iceman,” “Gypsy Davy,” “Shadow Boxer,” “Extreme Elvin Whitechurch” and “All the Old Haunts.” Lynch holds an M.A. from the writing program at Emerson College. He teaches in the Creative Writing MFA program at Lesley University. He lives in Boston and in Scotland.
Kiely will discuss his debut novel “Gospel of Winter,” which is about the restorative power of truth and love after the trauma of abuse. Kiely received an MFA in creative writing from the City College of New York. His writing has appeared in “Fiction,” “Guernica,” “Big Bridge” and the “Mikrokosmos Literary Journal,” among other publications. Originally from the Boston area, he now teaches at an independent high school and lives with his wife in Greenwich Village.
The event is open to both the campus and community members. Community members may park in the Parking garages or student center lots.