2012 Author Luis Urrea

Anderson's Bookshop featured 2012 featured author Luis Urrea for the launch of his book Queen of America.

2011 Featured Children's Author Jon Scieszka Poses with his Stunt Double!

Every year Naperville READS featured authors appear in the windows of Anderson's Bookshop to promote their events. Tough work for anyone, this job requires a stunt double!

Naperville's Mayor Loves to Read

Naperville Mayor George Pradel and these 2009 Waubonsie Valley wrestlers share a little reading time. Their book choice? Playing with the Enemy by Gary Moore.

Packed House for Horowitz

In 2011, Anthony Horowitz, author of the Alex Rider Collection and many other children's novels, visited Naperville. Here he's speaking at Scullen Middle School.

Mortenson Fans Show off Their Signed Books

In 2007, Greg Mortenson visited Naperville to talk about his book and his mission build more schools in remote regions of Pakistan and Afghanistan.

Awesome Authors are Happy to Chat and Sign Books

In 2008, Brian Selznick visited Naperville. Excited residents wait in line for a chance to chat with him and get their copy of The Invention of Hugo Cabret signed.

Chilling Suspense!

Teacher Keith Lustig reads to his students from Joseph Bruchac's novel Whispers in the Dark.

Father and Son Sharing Some Book Time

In 2008, Naperville readers celebrated two authors - Brian Selznick and Daniel Pink. This father and son couldn't wait to read more of their Brian Selznick novel, The Invention of Hugo Cabret.

Books About Baseball!

During his 2009 visit, Dan Gutman, author of the Baseball Card Adventures (aka "& Me" series), made a presentation at North Central College. His young fans were very excited to talk with him about their mutual love of sports and reading!

Uniting Community Through the Joy of Reading

Since 2001, Naperville READS has sought to promote community through the joy of reading. Each year Naperville celebrates great authors by reading and discussing their books and then inviting them to visit our town. Thousands of Naperville residents attend these author visits with their families and friends and experience the joy of story as a community.

On January 17, Mayor George Pradel proclaimed January and February 2012 Naperville READS months!

Everybody Has a Story. What's Yours? NAPERVILLE READS 2012

Naperville READS 2012 was all about our stories. This year’s authors told stories drawn from their personal family histories. Children’s author Antonio Sacre, son of a Cuban father and an Irish American mother, is an internationally-touring writer and storyteller. Luis Alberto Urrea is an award-winning Mexican America poet, novelist, and essayist.

Luis got us to think about our roots and the struggles all newcomers experience in a new place.

Antonio made us laugh as we remember the times our parents’ stories taught us life lessons.

Sharing our family stories helps us to celebrate our differences and share our similarities.