5:00 p.m., Ages 14 and up (mature subject matter, not appropriate for young children)

Please join acclaimed young adult author Sonya Sones at the launch party of her chilling and timely new novel in verse, The Opposite of Innocent. Loosely based on something that happened to Sonya’s own sister, The Opposite of Innocent tells the heartbreaking story of fourteen-year-old Lily, who finds herself trapped in an abusive relationship with Luke, a family friend more than twice her age. Lily’s been in love with Luke ever since she was a little girl. She used to tell him she was going to marry him when she grew up. And he’d smile down at her and say, “I’ll wait for you Lily. I promise.” This book is about what happens when she realizes Luke has kept that promise. Her friends think anyone his age who wants to be with a fourteen-year-old must be really messed up. Maybe even dangerous. But Luke would never do anything to hurt Lily... would he?  In this powerful tale of a terrifying leap into young adulthood, readers will accompany Lily on her harrowing journey from hopelessness to hope. An important  #MeToo conversation starter. Free