Evening Receptions a Highlight of Hotel ABA

From Wednesday, May 30, through Friday, June 1, at this year's BookExpo America, American Booksellers Association members are invited to evening receptions sponsored by Book Sense Publisher Partners at Hotel ABA, the New York Marriott at the Brooklyn Bridge, in Brooklyn, New York. Open to all ABA members, each evening's reception, from 9:00 p.m. until midnight in the hotel's Legends Ballroom, will provide great networking opportunities in a festive atmosphere.

On Wednesday, Scholastic, Inc. is hosting a Block Party celebrating its new series, Main Street, written by Newbery Honor author Ann M. Martin, best-known for her award winning series The Babysitter's Club. Remember the neighborhood "block parties" of your childhood? The Main Street Block Party will celebrate the launch of the new series and its first title, Welcome to Camden Falls, this May. The party is also a celebration of the spirit of Main Streets everywhere and their locally owned stores, business communities, and associations that support them. The guest of honor will be Main Street's creator, Ann M. Martin. Each guest will receive a Main Street tote bag, which will include a finished copy of Welcome to Camden Falls, a copy of the audio book, a one-sheet featuring information about the My Main Street Book Sense Contest, and five "Ask me about the Main Street Contest" pins. The contest encourages children ages six to 12 years old to submit a painting, drawing, photograph, or written or video essay to participating stores about why their town's main street is special. Final judging will be completed by Scholastic, the American Bookseller Association, and Ann M. Martin. Refreshments will have a Block Party theme, and the foyer decor will depict Martin's imagined Main Street in Camden Falls.

On Thursday, Collins, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, is serving up the Presidential Memorabilia Exhibit and Reception, where history will be revealed in a whole new light. The event will feature historians Barry Landau (The President's Table: 200 Years of Dining and Diplomacy, on sale November 2007) and Jordan Wright (Campaigning for President, on sale January 2008) and more than 80 objects from their private collections of memorabilia ranging from George to George (Washington to Bush). One-of-a-kind pieces on display will include campaign buttons, state dinner menus and seating arrangements, and an original key to the White House.

On Friday, Beacon Press and the Friends of Chris Finan are sponsoring "A Publication Celebration!" to commemorate the new title From the Palmer Raids to the Patriot Act: A History of the Fight for Free Speech in America by Chris Finan, president of the American Booksellers Foundation for Free Expression. Of the comprehensive history of the evolution of free speech in America written for a general readership, Sen. Bernie Sanders (VT-I) said, "At a time when America's freedoms and liberties are under attack in Washington, Finan's book is a powerful reminder of why we must carry on the fight to preserve the central underpinning of the American democratic system -- the right to free and uncensored discourse."

All ABA members are invited to end their days at the evening receptions, which have become a highlight among the opportunities to network and socialize at BEA.