Jefferson County students are getting a rare treat this winter: three real-live authors, coming to their schools and their library, ready to talk books.

The Jefferson County Library Association, with support from an $18,000 grant from the Sisters-based Roundhouse Foundation, has arranged for three authors from the Oregon Battle of the Books competition list to visit the community. Each visit pairs a school-day presentation for students with a public evening event open to the whole community.

First Up: Makiia Lucier on October 7

The series kicks off Wednesday, October 7, when author Makiia Lucier visits the Jefferson County Library from 7 to 8 p.m. to discuss her young adult novel Dragonfruit — a romantic fantasy rooted in Pacific Island mythology.

Tickets are $15.99 and include admission for two people plus a copy of the book. The event is especially recommended for high school students, though community members of all ages are welcome.

Downtown Madras bookstore Blackbird Tea and Tales is managing tickets for the October event and will be serving tea on the evening. Tickets can be purchased through the shop or by contacting the library.

More Visits This Winter

Two more author visits are planned at the Madras Performing Arts Center:

  • Dan Gemeinhart — Monday, December 1
  • Gennifer Choldenko — Wednesday, January 13

Details for those events will be announced as they are finalized. Questions for the Q&A sessions, which are part of each event, can be submitted in advance to info@jcld.org.

Why It Matters

"Our primary goal is to encourage young people to read by connecting them with the authors behind the books they are reading," said Laura Jones, who organized the series. "Meeting an author can turn reading from an assignment into a personal experience and inspire students to become lifelong readers."

Jones noted that author visits of this kind are rare in rural communities, making the Roundhouse grant particularly meaningful for Jefferson County.

"We hope attendees leave with a deeper appreciation for reading, storytelling, and lifelong learning," she said. "We want students to see that real people with particular experiences create books — and that reading can open access to new ideas and opportunities."

For more information, contact the Jefferson County Library Association at info@jcld.org.