Young Adult author Lauren Myracle, whose book ttyl was one of the 10 most frequently challenged books of 2007, will be the featured speaker at the fourth annual Freedom to Read Foundation author event on Sunday, Jan. 25, 2009 in Denver, Colo. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., and Myracle’s talk will begin at 7:30 p.m., to be followed by a book signing. The event will take place at the Tattered Cover Book Store, 1628 16th Street in Denver’s Lower Downtown (LoDo). It is co-sponsored by Friends of the Denver Public Library and the Tattered Cover Book Store. Proceeds will benefit the Freedom to Read Foundation.

**See Lauren and friends read from ttyl at the 2008 Banned Books Week Read-Out! in Chicago** http://alfocus.ala.org/videos/2008-banned-books-week-read-out

The Colorado-based Myracle, whose other books include ttfn, l8r g8r, Bliss and the coming-of-age trilogy Eleven, Twelve and Thirteen, is a rising YA star. Last month, ttyl (a New York Times bestseller) was the subject of a high-profile banning in Round Rock, Texas middle schools. Other Myracle books, including ttfn, l8r g8r and The Fashion Disaster That Changed My Life, have also been recent targets of censors, for “offensive language,” “sexually explicit content” and being “unsuited to age group.” Her myriad fans, however, recognize her books as “awesome” and “soooooo good,” and she cites the following as her favorite compliment ever: “I can’t believe it was written by a–cough, cough–grown-up!”

Says FTRF Executive Director Judith Krug, “We are thrilled to have Lauren Myracle headline our fourth annual FTRF author event! Lauren’s books have been challenged for some of the same reasons that also make them so popular—because she speaks the language of her audience and addresses the issues they deal with on a regular basis. Moreover, she doesn’t back down from defending her work when it’s challenged.”

The suggested donation to attend the event is $25. Refreshments will be provided. Space is limited. Copies of Myracle’s books will be on sale at the event.

* To purchase your ticket in advance, please visit www.dplfriends.org.
* Tickets (by cash, checks, or credit card) also may be purchased at the event based on space availability.

Visit Lauren Myracle’s homepage at www.laurenmyracle.com to learn more about Myracle’s life and work. She’s also on MySpace: www.myspace.com/laurenmyracle.

The event will take place during the 2009 American Library Association Midwinter Meeting. For more information, visit www.ftrf.org or contact Jonathan Kelley at jokelley@ala.org or (800) 545-2433 x4226.