Experience the National Book Festival right here in the Natural State! Get to know Arkansas author T. L. Simpson and learn about book, "Cope Field." Book signing to follow with Paper Hearts.
The Arkansas Center for the Book and the Library of Congress Center for the Book Affiliates Network present a National Book Festival “Festival Near You” program. Please join us with T. L. Simpson as we discuss our Arkansas 2026 Great Read for Youth selection, Cope Field (Flux, 2025). Experience the National Book Festival right here in the Natural State! T. L. Simpson’s discussion will be followed by a book signing.
This event is free and open to the public. Thanks to Paper Hearts Bookstore for facilitating our book sale and signing! This program is made possible in part by a grant from the Institute of Museum and Library Services.
About the Book
Crawford “Craw” Cope has anger issues. Or so they say.
When Craw is sentenced to community service for hitting his father in the head with a baseball bat, he accepts his punishment without objection, knowing he’s actually lucky. If he weren’t the son of a famous former baseball player, he’d probably have gotten it a lot worse. So, Craw keeps his mouth shut and takes what life gives him. Like always.
But when he arrives at community service, which frustratingly turns out to be repairing a dilapidated ball field to be named after his father, he meets Hannah Flores, a punk rock enthusiast trapped in the Ozarks with zero filter. As Craw navigates his own explosive home life, he learns more about hers. And as their friendship blossoms into something more, he begins to understand the importance of speaking his truth, even when doing so might destroy the only life he’s ever known.
AGE GROUP: | Ages 19+: Adults | Ages 13-18: Teens | Ages 10-12: Tweens |
EVENT TYPE: | Sponsored Events | Special Event | Book/Discussion Club |
TAGS: | Discussion | Baseball | Arkansas State Library |
This is the primary location of the William F. Laman Public Library.
