Skip to main content
close
Font size options
Increase or decrease the font size for this website by clicking on the 'A's.
Contrast options
Choose a color combination to give the most comfortable contrast.

Family Reading Night 2019:

a celebration of Independent Authors

You can’t have reading without books!

Enjoy family-friendly fun as you find out all about books. Stop by the creation station to make a book, join the book walk to win prizes, visit with local authors to explore the process of writing a book, from original idea to publication, and meet surprise special guest characters for photo ops.  No registration is required for this family event. 

Friday, November 8

6-8pm at Minooka Village Hall

121 McEvilly Rd, Minooka, IL 60447


Meet our local Independent Authors!

Jennifer Abbott

Jennifer Abbott

Jennifer Lynn Abbott has always wanted to be a stay at home mother. When she met her husband twenty years ago, he helped make that a reality. She is a mother to three beautiful children. God has helped her realize that is not the end of her story.   Now while her children are school age she decided to pursue her talents. Jennifer has always been passionate about singing, writing, drawing, and creating jewelry. 

Jennifer Abbott's Book


J.C. Buchanan

J.C. Buchanan

J.C. is a 19-year-old dreamer, Christ follower, bibliophile, blogger, and, of course, writer. She has self-published three novels and one novella for the juvenile audience, her most recent publication being Proof of Purple (2018).  When she’s not writing, you can likely find her hanging out at church with all her favorite kids or on some wild adventure (likely to the bookstore) with all her awesome friends.

J.C. Buchanan's Books


Doris Clark

Doris Clark

After spending many creative years with a paintbrush in hand, she has returned to her first love--writing--which enables her to paint pictures with words. Living with two cats that love to get tangled up in her knitting, Doris finds living where there are four seasons to be challenging at times, and yet, they give her endearing inspiration.

Doris Clark's Book


Maria Fischer

Maria Fischer

Maria teaches American Literature, education, and English as a Second Language (ESL) at Joliet Catholic Academy and adult ESL at Joliet Junior College. She has 5 daughters and one sad, scared, lonely husband. Maria and her husband were able to spend time together in Ireland this summer with no teenagers. 

Maria's Book

"There is No One Better," the Seamstress Says


Rich Green

Rich Green

Rich Green is the illustrator and co-author of Chicago Treasure. Rich also illustrated the A Girl With A Pink Cape series, A Boy With A Cape, and Niko & Kate. He graduated from Columbia College Chicago with a BA in Computer Graphics and Animation and interned with Disney. He is the Chicago-Area Illustrators Network Representative for the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators and an Executive Board Member of The Artist Guild of Lockport. 

Rich Green's Books

Dale Hansen

Dale Hansen

Dale has lead Bible studies using mostly his own material and has been mentoring others for over 40 years. Most of these devotions have helped Dale and his wife through circumstances including infertility. adoption, cancer (3X), kidney stones and Parkinson's. He is now retired and is looking to share his story and encourage others to spend time in God's Word, through his devotionals. He is married with two daughters and 3 grandsons.

Dale Hansen's Books


Daisy Henkle

Daisy Henkle

Daisy is an award-winning writer who is currently in seventh grade.  She wrote and published her first book, The Modern Minstrel, when she was in fifth grade. She has been a huge fan of books since before she could walk.  When Daisy is not working, she is usually busy making stop-motion videos with her sister, acting in plays, or hanging with family and friends.

Daisy Henkle's Book


Verediane Makagatanazi Books

Verediane Mukagatanazi

Verediane Mukagatanazi is a survivor of the 1994 Rwandan Genocide. Her first book, You Are Not Alone, is a memoir of Verediane’s test of her faith as she witnesses Hell on Earth, with her three children by her side. Despite the life she endures, A Rwandan Memoir proves to be a heartwarming story of family values and faith in the least certain of times. Verediane opens her mind and her heart to anyone willing to turn the pages in this and her follow-up book Restoration.

Verediane Mukagatanazi's Books


Johanna Shapard

Johanna Shapard

Johanna Shapard grew up in the burbs of Chicago, the setting for her historical romance novels. Writing with the pseudonym, Annalisa Russo, Shapard published her first book, Rags to Rubies,  in 2012. Since then, she has completed many books, including her first series, The Cavelli Angel Saga. Along with a passion for reading and writing, Johanna enjoys gardening, cooking for company, and frequently invents reasons for traveling. The mother of two grown children, she inherited a narcissistic tabby named Buster who really runs the show. 

Johanna Shapard's Books (writing as Annalisa Russo)


Melinda Wick

Melinda Wick

Melinda Wick lives with her husband and two boys just outside of Chicago. She treasures her family time and visiting with her tight group of friends. In 2013, the family rescued a dog and named him Buddy. Buddy quickly became a special part of their family. Buddy loves people and is especially fond of all children. Buddy’s antics were an inspiration for Melinda’s books, Secret Rescuers Lil Buddy and Goose & Secret Rescuer Lil Buddy on His Most Important Mission.

Melinda Wick's Books