“Hilarious . . . Readers with a finely tuned sense of the absurd are going to adore the Technicolor ride.”
—Booklist
“Fantasy done to a clever, grotesque, nonsensical turn.” —Chicago Sun-Times
“A work of mischievous imagination and outrageous invention.” —Time Out Chicago
“An extraordinary and delightfully weird romp that’s one part China Mieville, one part Lemony Snicket, with trace amounts of Madeline L’Engle and Roald Dahl . . . Kennedy has filled 400+ pages with a series of strange turn-ups and adventures that grow progressively more outlandish and funny, such that when you think he’s surely run out of runway and must crash, he finds new, unsuspected weirdness to explore.” —Cory Doctorow, author of Little Brother, For The Win, and co-editor of Boing Boing
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Email: kennedyjames@gmail.com
Wednesdsay, September 10, 2025
Screening “The Best of the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival” at the Budlong Woods branch of the Chicago Public Library (5630 N. Lincoln Avenue). 4:3-5:30.
Thursday, September 25, 2025
I’m a featured speaker at the Speculative Literature Foundation‘s “Deep Dish” reading series. At the Book Cellar in Chicago (4736-38 N Lincoln Ave.). Time TBA.
Tuesdsay, September 30, 2025
Speaking on “Why I Love Horror” panel at the Northbrook Public Library (1201 Cedar Ln, Northbrook, IL). With authors Stacey Klemstein, Cynthia Pelayo, Nick Medina, and Ananda Lima. 7 pm.
Friday, October 3, 2025
Screening “The Best of the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival” at the Wilmette Public Library (1242 Wilmette Ave, Wilmette, IL). 4:3-5:30.
Friday, December 19, 2025
Deadline for “Early Critique” opportunity for the 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. Send your movie in early and get tips from the judges on how to improve it before you submit it for the actual deadline! Details at the 90-Second Newbery website.
Friday, January 16, 2026
GENERAL DEADLINE for submissions to the 15th annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. Texas entries have an extended deadline of March 20, 2026.
Saturday, February 21, 2026
The OGDEN, UT screening of the annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. At the Treehouse Children’s Museum (347 22nd Street). 6 pm. Details to come.
Saturday, February 28, 2026
The BROOKLYN, NY screening of the annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. In the Dweck Auditorium at the Brooklyn Public Library Central Library (10 Grand Army Plaza). 1 pm. Details to come.
Saturday, March 14, 2026
The CHICAGO screening of the 15th annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. In the Cindy Pritzker Auditorium at the Harold Washington Library Center (400 S. State Street). 2 pm. Details to come.
Friday, March 20, 2026
TEXAS DEADLINE for submissions to the 15th annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival.
Saturday, May 9, 2026
The SAN ANTONIO, TX screening of the 15th annual 90-Second Newbery Film Festival. In the H-E-B Performance Hall at the Tobin Center for the Performing Arts. Made possible by our partners at the Bexar County Digital Library BiblioTech and H-E-B Read 3. More details to come.
