Join us for a Zoom discussion with Ash (Alder) Van Otterloo as we discuss their newest middle grade book, THE BEAUTIFUL SOMETHING ELSE, the publishing process, and their experiences as an author. While this is a middle grade book, all patrons interested in the author and his work are welcome and encouraged to attend! There will be an audience Q&A towards the end of the program.  This program will be recorded and posted on our YouTube channel after this event. 

This program is sponsored by the Pollard Memorial Library Foundation. 

About the Book:

“Full of humor and heartbreak, this story about a nonbinary character navigating a binary world is perfect for fans of Alex Gino and Kyle Lukoff.”

It’s exhausting trying to be the perfect daughter.

Still, getting good grades without making any waves may be the only way to distract from the fact that Sparrow Malone’s mother is on the verge of falling apart. Which means no getting upset. No being weird. No standing out for the wrong reasons.

But when Mom’s attempts to cope spiral out of control, Sparrow is sent to live with Aunt Mags on a sprawling estate full of interesting, colorful new neighbors. And for the first time, trying to fit in doesn’t feel right anymore. Even Sparrow’s shadow has stopped following the rules.

As Shadow nudges Sparrow to try all the scary, exciting things Mom has always forbidden, Sparrow begins to realize something life-changing: they don’t feel like a girl. Or a boy. And while this discovery is exciting, now Sparrow must decide whether to tell everyone—their new family and friends, not-so-secret crush, and most importantly, their mom—the truth, especially if it means things change forever.

About the Author:

Ash Van Otterloo was born and raised in the Appalachian foothills, then made his home for eighteen years as an adult in Eastern Tennessee. He currently reside in the PNW with a group of wild forest gremlins and a small menagerie of animals. Ash is the author of CATTYWAMPUS, A TOUCH OF RUCKUS, and THE BEAUTIFUL SOMETHING ELSE. Alder is the name he uses in everyday life.