Popular tween author to appear at fundraiser

SPARTA — On Saturday, Nov. 5, The Sussex County Chapter of Girls on the Run in conjunction with the Sparta Book Store will present “A Celebration of 13 Gifts” with Wendy Mass. Award-winning children’s book author, Wendy Mass, will be on hand to discuss her challenges and successes on her way to becoming an author. She will share her writing tips to all aspiring young authors as well. Mass will sign books purchased at the event. The event will be held at Sparta Ambulance Building from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Light refreshments will be served. Tickets are $20 per child with an adult and $10 for each additional child. Tickets are available at Sparta Books. All proceeds will benefit the Sussex County Chapter of Girls on the Run. In 13 Gifts, Mass’ most recent work, soon to be 13-year-old Tara makes on the eve of her 13th birthday who makes one bad decision involving a goat and a middle school principal, and is sent away to live with her strange cousin Emily’s family. The book follows Tara as she navigates her way through a mysterious, fun-filled adventure. Fans of 11 Birthdays and Finally will enjoy seeing their favorite characters again. Wendy Mass is the author or 11 books for young people, including The Candymakers and Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life, which was just made into a feature film. Her book, A Mango-Shaped Space was awarded the Schneider Family Book Award by the American Library Association in 2004. Girls on the Run is a positive youth development program for girls in third through eighth grade which combines an interactive curriculum along with running to inspire self-respect and healthy lifestyles. The girls also choose and complete a community service project. Currently, Girls on the Run is raising funds for the 2012 race season. For more information, visit www.sussexgirlsontherun.org.