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On Writing Beloved Characters

and Powerful Portrayals of Resilience with Jason Reynolds

2026-04-30 18:00:00 2026-04-30 19:00:00 America/Chicago On Writing Beloved Characters Join us in conversation with bestselling author Jason Reynolds as we discuss his latest work, <i>Coach</i>, the fifth–and last–entry in the highly popular <i>Track</i> series. Please register. Virtual -

Thursday, April 30
6:00pm - 7:00pm

Add to Calendar 2026-04-30 18:00:00 2026-04-30 19:00:00 America/Chicago On Writing Beloved Characters Join us in conversation with bestselling author Jason Reynolds as we discuss his latest work, <i>Coach</i>, the fifth–and last–entry in the highly popular <i>Track</i> series. Please register. Virtual -

Join us in conversation with bestselling author Jason Reynolds as we discuss his latest work, Coach, the fifth–and last–entry in the highly popular Track series. Please register.

Following the immersive stories of Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny, it’s finally time for Coach to shine in his own book as we discover: Who was Coach before he became an inspiring leader?

Before Coach was the man who gave caring yet firm-handed guidance to Ghost, Lu, Patina, and Sunny on the Defenders track team, he was little Otie Brody, who was obsessed with Mr. 9.99 (a.k.a. Carl Lewis) and Marty McFly from Back to the Future. Like Mr. 9.99—and his own dad—Otie is a sprinter. Sprint free or die is practically his motto.

Then his dad, who is always away on business trips, comes home with a pair of Jordans. JORDANS. Fine as fine can be. Otie puts them on and feels like he can leap to the moon…maybe even leap like Mr. 9.99 when he won the Olympic gold medal in the long jump. But one morning he wakes up to find his brand-new secret weapon kicks are missing—right off his feet! And Otie just might have a fuzzy memory of his dad easing them off as Otie was sleeping, but that can’t be right, can it?

Unless all the reasons for his dad’s “gone’s” are very different from what he’s been told… Because now, not only are the Jordans missing, but so is his father.

Register now to join in on the conversation about the final installment to Jason Reynold’s Track series


About the Author: Jason Reynolds is an award-winning and #1 New York Times bestselling author. Jason’s many books include Miles Morales: Spider Man, the Track series (Ghost, Patina, Sunny, and Lu), Long Way Down, which received a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, and a Correta Scott King Honor, and Look Both Ways, which was a National Book Award Finalist. Recently named the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Jason has appeared on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, and CBS This Morning. He is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program and lives in Washington, DC. You can find his ramblings at JasonWritesBooks.com.

Please Register for link to program.


Live Virtual Author Talks - This new series through Library Speakers Consortium offers live online talks by bestselling authors of books in a variety of genres. Participants receive a link to the program when they register. Please see https://libraryc.org/gailborden to register and also view recorded videos of past speakers.

AGE GROUP: | Virtual Live | Middle School | Elementary School | Adults |

EVENT TYPE: | Virtual | Adult Programs |

TAGS: | |

Virtual

Phone: 847-742-2411

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We're open 9:00AM to 9:00PM

Mon, Apr 27 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Tue, Apr 28 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Wed, Apr 29 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Thu, Apr 30 9:00AM to 9:00PM
Fri, May 01 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sat, May 02 9:00AM to 6:00PM
Sun, May 03 12:00PM to 5:00PM

About the Branch

Programs presented virtually through FB, Zoom, YouTube, and other online sources.

Upcoming Events

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Tue, Apr 28, All day
Main Library
Ven, celebra y apoya el arte latino.

Tue, Apr 28, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Main Library - Lobby - Piano
Piano performance in the lobby by volunteer community members.

Tue, Apr 28, 3:30pm - 4:30pm
Mobile Services
Jefferson Ave. & Bennett Dr. Elgin

Tue, Apr 28, 4:45pm - 5:45pm
Mobile Services
Woodview Cir. Elgin

Tue, Apr 28, 5:00pm - 5:45pm
Virtual - Kidspace - Zoom
¡Acompáñanos en Zoom para disfrutar de un rato divertido después de clases! ¡En esta sesión jugaremos a algunos juegos de dibujar y adivinar, y luego aprenderemos a dibujar algo juntos!

Tue, Apr 28, 5:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Esta serie cubrirá las preguntas cívicas en preparación para el examen de ciudadanía. Para obtener más información, comuníquese con Laura Lopez de YWCA Elgin (331) 442-2036. Presentado en español.

Tue, Apr 28, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Main Library - Grove Room
Participantes de nivel intermedio, practican conversaciones en inglés, adquieren confianza y mejoran su pronunciación. El grupo es liderado por un tutor de Literacy Connection. Favor registrarse
Registration is now closed

Tue, Apr 28, 6:30pm - 7:30pm
Mobile Services
Hemlock Ln. Elgin

Tue, Apr 28, 7:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Conference Room
Join us for a social book group for readers in their 20’s or 30’s to discuss a variety of genres. Whether you loved our pick or hated it, join us for a casual, lively breakdown.

Wed, Apr 29, All day
Main Library
Ven, celebra y apoya el arte latino.

Wed, Apr 29, 10:30am - 11:45am
Main Library - Computer Training Room
Learn how a Virtual Private Network can increase your privacy while accessing the Internet. Stay secure and explore the open source, private and encrypted email service offered by ProtonMail.

Wed, Apr 29, 11:30am - 12:30pm
Mobile Services
899 Jay St, Elgin, IL 60120

Wed, Apr 29, 12:00pm - 1:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Music Director Chad Goodman will lead discussions about upcoming ESO concerts, repertoire, guest artists, special events and other Symphony-related topics. Please register.

Wed, Apr 29, 3:00pm - 5:00pm
South Elgin Branch - South Elgin - Hoffer Meeting Room
Come join us for Pinochle play. Emphasis will be on three person single deck three card widow version however other versions may also be played.

Wed, Apr 29, 6:00pm - 8:00pm
Main Library - Meadows Community Rooms ABC
Ven y participa en un espacio enfocado en fortalecer el rol educativo de la familia y el desarrollo integral de los hijos, desde la infancia hasta la adolescencia y más allá.

Wed, Apr 29, 6:00pm - 7:00pm
Main Library - 2nd Floor - Behind Elevators
Aprende en la biblioteca. Participa con otras personas que hablan español o inglés como primer idioma. Learn at the Library with native English and Spanish speakers.

Wed, Apr 29, 7:00pm - 8:30pm
Main Library - Grove Room
The Walking Book Club meets weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 pm to walk. The book discussion is held on the last Wednesday of the month at 7:45 pm at the Main Library.