In celebration of the spooky season, the Library of Congress is putting together two events celebrating mysteries and mystery lovers. October 21st is a fun-filled day for families with children and teens, and October 26th evening event is for everyone else!
October 21: Family Mystery Day
On Saturday, October 21st, the Library is hosting Family Mystery Day, a 10 AM – 4 PM affair that invites families and children/teens to solve the strangest of mysteries. Enjoy two author events, a mystery writing workshop, a day full of activities, and a scavenger hunt.
The event is free, but tickets are required, and there may be special restrictions. Click this link for more information and to secure your ticket.
Throughout the day, your family can be a part of various activities:
- Test out your mystery-solving skills with our Mystery Day scavenger hunt for families and kids, ages 8-18.
- Participate in a full day of activities on the Mezzanine Level, all inspired by the mysterious corners of the Library’s own collections.
Schedule of Events:
The Spooky Things Just Out of Sight with Jerry Spinelli and Ben Hatke
11 a.m. in the Coolidge Auditorium
At this fun and spooky event, we’ll meet Worm from legendary children’s writer Jerry Spinelli’s new novel “Dead Wednesday” and we’ll also meet Milo from Ben Hatke’s graphic novel “Things in the Basement.” Worm and Milo have major issues to worry about, like when Worm has to ponder how to deal with the ghost girl who makes herself a cozy home inside his head. Milo faces a whole world of terrors in his new home’s basement. He slowly discovers the things that reside there are only steps away from his room. What will they do in the face of scary things that live right in their house or brain?! Find out, if you dare!
Recommended for ages 6-12+
Locked Rooms and Deadly Heists: Mysteries with a Twist with Delilah S. Dawson and Kayvion Lewis
2 p.m. in LJ-119
In Kayvion Lewis’ new novel “Thieves’ Gambit,” Ross, part of an elite family of thieves, is facing the Thieves’ Gambit, a dangerous international heist that will grant one wish to the winner. In Delilah S. Dawson’s “Midnight at the Houdini,” Anna’s always been a wallflower, until she’s in the spotlight and at the center of the mysterious, increasingly dangerous Hotel Houdini with many locked rooms. Join us as Lewis and Dawson talk about how their characters make their ways through mysteries that start fun but have high stakes!
Recommended for ages 12-18+
Please Note: All writers featured during the day will sign their books on the Mezzanine level of the Great Hall following their program. Featured books will be available for purchase.
October 26: Pick Your Poison: Mystery Night
The Library’s Live! at the Library event series on Thursday nights is a staple of the city’s after-work entertainment, and the Live! at the Library on October 26th is a particularly special one.
Pick Your Poison—Mystery Night at the Library of Congress celebrates mystery novels in all their thrilling, confounding glory. Hear Louise Penny discuss the denizens of Three Pines with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden in the Coolidge Auditorium. Novelists Melissa Adelman, Nick Medina and Sarah Pekkanen will delve into the perfect murder in LJ-119. And cap off the night with Erick Acuña Productions’ “Who Did It?: An Improvised Murder Mystery” in the Members Room. Throughout the night, you can test out your mystery-solving skills and explore the Jefferson Building’s little-visited corners with our Mystery Night scavenger hunt! Food and drink catered especially for Pick Your Poison—Mystery Night will be available for purchase. All writers featured at this event will sign their books immediately after their events on the Mezzanine Level just above the Great Hall.
The event is free, but tickets are required, and there may be special restrictions. Click this link for more information and to secure your ticket.
Schedule of Events:
Scavenger Hunt
6-9 p.m., Jefferson Building
Hunt for clues and test your mystery-solving skills with the Mystery Night scavenger hunt. There are six spots in the Jefferson Building to start your hunt; look for the brochures when you enter the building.
A Conversation with Louise Penny
6:30-7:15 p.m., Coolidge Auditorium
Free tickets required. Louise Penny discusses the long-running, beloved Armand Gamache series with Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Book signing to follow on the Mezzanine Level above the Great Hall. Due to limited capacity, a separate event ticket is required for the Louise Penny program in the Coolidge Auditorium – please visit the event page for that program to reserve your ticket.
Murder, They Wrote
7-8 p.m., LJ-119
Melissa Adelman (“What the Neighbors Saw”), Nick Medina (“Sisters of the Lost Nation”) and Sarah Pekkanen (“Gone Tonight”) talk about how they concoct murders in their novels. Book signings to follow on the Mezzanine level above the Great Hall.
Who Did It? An Improvised Murder Mystery
8-8:45 p.m., Members Room
Lend your voice to helping us resolve the thorny question “who did it?” with Erick Acuña Productions’ improvised murder mystery.
Comments (2)
Will there be an opportunity for authors to sign books?
Yes, each author will sign after their program!