Author Jodi Picoult, who has challenged Iowa’s book ban, is coming to Des Moines
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Bestselling author Jodi Picoult will be in Des Moines in September, nearly one year after she and several other authors, Iowa’s largest teachers union and a publisher filed a lawsuit against the state.
Beaverdale Books will host Picoult at the Franklin Center on Sept. 6, the bookstore announced on April 24.
The event will feature a presentation by Picoult, a Q&A session, a signed copy of her new novel “By Any Other Name” and a photo opportunity with Picoult and each ticketholder, according to a news release.
Who is Jodi Picoult?
Picoult is a New York Times bestselling author based in New Hampshire, according to publisher Simon & Schuster. Her books include “House Rules,” “Small Great Things,” “Wish You Were Here” and “My Sister’s Keeper,” which was adapted into a movie of the same name starring Cameron Diaz and Abigail Breslin. The award-winning author is an alumna of Princeton University and Harvard University.
What is the Iowa book ban lawsuit that Jodi Picoult is involved in?
The Iowa State Education Association, Penguin Random House and authors Laurie Halse Anderson, John Green, Malinda Jo and Picoult are suing the state to block the ban on all books from Iowa schools that contain depictions or descriptions of sex acts and to have that portion of the law declared unconstitutional for violating the First and 14th amendments of the U.S. Constitution, the Register reported last year.
Senate File 496, signed by Gov. Kim Reynolds in May 2023, banned books with descriptions or depictions of sex acts from Iowa public schools, among other things wrapped into the education law, that Democrats and LGBTQ advocacy groups have condemned.
Picoult’s book “Nineteen Minutes” was among the books being banned in Urbandale schools last year which prompted the author to speak out on social media.
"Nineteen Minutes" has returned to shelves to Urbandale schools amid the two ongoing lawsuits over Senate File 496, one of which includes Picoult.
More: 23 state and national groups support efforts to block Iowa's book ban law in court
How can I attend author Jodi Picoult’s event in Des Moines, Iowa?
The event, held at 4801 Franklin Avenue, is at 6:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at beaverdalebooksjodipicoult.eventcombo.com. Tickets are $35.
Register reporter Stephen-Gruber Miller contributed to this article.
Paris Barraza is a trending and general assignment reporter at the Des Moines Register. Reach her at pbarraza@registermedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @ParisBarraza.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Author Jodi Picoult speaking at Beaverdale Books event in Des Moines
