2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival

Every year at the National Book Festival, the Library of Congress’ Center for the Book features a book from each of its affiliate Centers for the Book, representing their local literary heritage either from a state or territory of the United States. These books may represent and celebrate local culture and heritage. The Nevada Center for the Book is featured Ellen Hopkins and her novel, Closer to Nowhere, as our selection for the 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival. Watch 2021 Library of Congress National Book Festival programs hosted by Nevada Humanities below.

Ellen Hopkins is a poet, former journalist, and the award-winning author of twenty nonfiction books for young readers, fifteen bestselling young-adult novels, and four novels for adult readers. Ellen lives with her extended family, two brilliant German shepherds, and a couple of ponds (not pounds) of koi in the eastern shadow of the Northern Nevada Sierra. www.ellenhopkinsbooks.com

Opening Up with Closer to Nowhere: In Conversation with Author Ellen Hopkins

During this online event, UNLV professor and YA literature expert Steven Bickmore converses with Ellen Hopkins about what inspired her to write "Closer to Nowhere" and the importance of related themes of family, compassion, etc. in YA literature today.

Great Reads from Great Places: Family

Great Reads from Great Places: Family features Sara Peté, co-manager of the Washington Center for the Book, in conversation with Aida Salazar, author of Land of the Cranes (chosen by the California Center for the Book); Ellen Hopkins, author of Closer to Nowhere (chosen by the Nevada Center for the Book); Mariahadessa Ekere Tallie, author of Layla's Happiness (chosen by the Rhode Island Center for the Book); NoNieqa Ramos, author of Your Mama (chosen by the Virginia Center for the Book); Christine Day, author of The Sea in Winter (chosen by the Washington Center for the Book); and Cathy Camper, author of Ten Ways to Hear Snow (chosen by the Wisconsin Center for the Book).