Evergreen Park Public Library and Evergreen Park Community High School have announced acclaimed authors Amanda Joy and Arshay Cooper will headline the soon-to-be-famous Ever-Read YA Literary Festival on Saturday, March 16, at Evergreen Park Community High School. 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.”

When Amanda 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. 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.