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SHOOK - Launch Event Featuring Julian Randall
Featured Book
SHOOK
Malik Page—though unless you're his mama, call him "Shake"—dreams of making the Marshall Grove varsity basketball squad as an eighth grader. Then he'll be on his way to joining the ranks of Chicago legends like his pops and late Uncle Kenny. But when Shake fractures his ankle in a championship game, he's sidelined for the first time since his first dribble. As his world is turned upside down, Shake feels like there’s ginger ale bubbling in his chest and sweat slicking on his palms. With a best friend who’s getting more distant by the day, a growing silence between him and his dad, and varsity tryouts fast approaching, Shake will have to cross up every obstacle to find a way back onto the court—and back to being himself. Thankfully in Marshall Grove, the sky is always full of hope.
This book will be available for purchase at the event.
About This Event
Join us for a special author event, grab a new book, and show us your jump shot!
Featuring a reading and meet-and-greet with Shook author Julian Randall, a book signing, open gym, and free books and other giveaways while supplies last!
Malik Page—though unless you're his mama, call him "Shake"—dreams of making the Marshall Grove varsity basketball squad as an eighth grader. Then he'll be on his way to joining the ranks of Chicago legends like his pops and late Uncle Kenny. But when Shake fractures his ankle in a championship game, he's sidelined for the first time since his first dribble.
As his world is turned upside down, Shake feels like there’s ginger ale bubbling in his chest and sweat slicking on his palms. With a best friend who’s getting more distant by the day, a growing silence between him and his dad, and varsity tryouts fast approaching, Shake will have to cross up every obstacle to find a way back onto the court—and back to being himself. Thankfully in Marshall Grove, the sky is always full of hope.
Perfect for readers who love:
● Sports Stories (though non-sports fans, you'll love this one too!)
● Short, Quick Reads
● Hopeful Depictions of Anxiety and Mental Health
● A Main Character Who Exudes Swagger
● Humor and Heart
"Readers, make permanent room on your shelves—and in your hearts— for this witty and poignant novel." —National Book Award winner Elizabeth Acevedo
"Stunning. This book is powerful." —Newbery Medalist Tae Keller
"Witty, electric and profound, Randall’s verse dribbles, twists and weaves highlighting the complicated inner world of a middle-school boy with nuance and care." —National Book Award Finalist Amber McBride
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Julian Randall is the author of Refuse (University of Pittsburgh, 2018), Pilar Ramirez and the Escape from Zafa (Holt Books for Young Readers, 2022), Pilar Ramirez and the Curse of San Zenon (HBYR, 2023), The Dead Don't Need Reminding (Bold Type Books, 2024), The Chainbreakers (HBYR, 2024).
Featured Author
Julian Randall
Julian Randall is a Living Queer Black author from Chicago. He has received fellowships from Cave Canem, CantoMundo, Callaloo, and the Watering Hole. Julian is the recipient of a Pushcart Prize and the winner of the 2019 Betty Berzon Emerging Writer Award from the Publishing Triangle. His writing has been published in New York Times Magazine, Ploughshares, and POETRY, and anthologized in Black Boy Joy (which debuted at #1 on the NYT Best Seller list), Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed, and Furious Flower. Julian has essays in The Atlantic, Vibe Magazine, Los Angeles Review of Books and other venues. They hold an MFA in poetry from University of Mississippi. Julian is the author of five books across three genres. For adults: Refuse (Pitt, 2018), winner of the 2017 Cave Canem Poetry Prize and a finalist for a 2019 NAACP Image Award and The Dead Don’t Need Reminding: In Search of Fugitives, Mississippi and Black TV Nerd Shit (Bold Type Books, 2024) winner of the Mississippi Institute of Arts and Letters award in Life Writing. For middle grade novel readers: the Pilar Ramirez duology, The Chainbreakers and Shook (all from Holt Books for Young Readers). Julian’s next project is a middle grade novel in verse, Shook, to be published August 9th, 2026.
About the Venue
Great Lakes Academy
Presented by Build Coffee and Books
South Entrance
8401 S Saginaw
Chicago, IL 60617