Susan Greenway and Laurie Ann Thompson with Joni Sensel

Third Place Books welcomes Susan Greenway and Laurie Ann Thompson to our Lake Forest Park store! Greenway and Thompson will be discussing their new children's books,, a contemporary middle grade novel about overcoming grief that will touch the hearts of its readers, and , which meets children in their moment of sadness and offers empathetic ideas on how to navigate it. They'll be joined in conversation by grief coach Joni Sensel for a discussion about loss, sadness, self-care, hope, and healing. This event is free and open to the public. Readers of all ages welcome!

For important updates, registration is highly recommended in advance. This event will include a public signing and time for audience Q&A. Sustain our author series by purchasing a copy of the featured book!

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This event is free to attend. For important updates, registration is highly recommended in advance.

For fans of Sara Pennypacker’s Pax and Ali Benjamin’s The Thing About Jellyfish, Elephant Touch is a contemporary middle grade novel about overcoming grief that will touch the hearts of its readers.
Since the sudden loss of her mother, Quinn has been inconsolable. Her aunt brings her to volunteer at a Thai elephant sanctuary, hoping it will be a healing experience—but when Quinn learns about the previous abuse of the elephants she’s there to help, she’s overcome with even more grief.
While crying alone by the river one day, Quinn has a magical encounter with an adult elephant. She marvels at the elephant’s show of compassion, and they develop a strong connection. But when an orphaned baby elephant, also grieving her mother’s death, arrives at the sanctuary in fragile health, Quinn is afraid to get involved. To help save the baby elephant’s life, she must be courageous and use her newfound ability to connect with the elephants—not to mention accept the support of her new human friends. If she can channel her grief into action, she just might find the community and support she’s been missing. But can she find the courage to do it?

From the award-winning, best-selling author of Snow Falling on Cedars—a moving father-son story that is also a taut courtroom drama and a bold examination of privilege, power, and how to live a meaningful life.

A girl dies one late, rainy night a few feet from the back door of her home. The girl, Abeba, was born in Ethiopia. Her adoptive parents, Delvin and Betsy Harvey—conservative, white fundamentalist Christians—are charged with her M**der.

Royal, a Seattle criminal attorney in the last days of his long career, takes Betsy Harvey’s case. An octogenarian without a driver’s license, he leans on his son—the novel’s narrator—as he prepares for trial.

So beginsThe Final Case, a bracing, astute, and deeply affecting examination of justice and injustice—and familial love. David Guterson’s first courtroom drama since Snow Falling on Cedars, it is his most compelling and heartfelt novel to date.

Susan Greenway is a former elementary school teacher and reading specialist. She is a longtime member of SCBWI (Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators) and a graduate of the University of Washington Writing for Children Program. Elephant Touch is her debut novel, inspired by an extraordinary experience she had with an elephant in Thailand. Susan is an outdoor and dog enthusiast and lives with her husband and their sweet dog, Willow, in Washington.
Laurie Ann Thompson looks for the light from her home in the rainy Pacific Northwest. A naturalist and former software engineer, she writes to help young readers—and herself—better understand the world we all share. She is the author of several award-winning books for children, including Emmanuel’s Dream, winner of the ALA Schneider Family Book Award. Learn more at lauriethompson.com.
Joni Sensel is the author of eight books for young readers, more than a dozen nonfiction titles for adults, and a memoir, Feeling Fate, which earned a Living Now Book Award gold medal. Her fiction includes a Junior Library Guild selection, a Center for Children’s Books “Best Book,” and a Henry Bergh Honor, among other awards. She holds an MFA in Writing from Vermont College of Fine Arts (2015) and has taught writing and creativity workshops in locations from Alaska to Amsterdam. She lives at the knees of Mt. Rainier in Washington State with her dog and assorted wildlife.

About Third Place Books

Founded in 1998 in Lake Forest Park, Washington, Third Place Books is dedicated to the creation of a community around books and the ideas inside them. With locations in Lake Forest Park and Seattle's Ravenna and Seward Park neighborhoods, Third Place Books is proud to serve the entire Seattle metro area. Learn more about their event series at thirdplacebooks.com/events.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Third Place Books, 17171 Bothell Way NE #A101, Lake Forest Park, United States