Grant Overstake to Promote Teen Resilience and Cultural Understanding at National Rural Library Conference

A teaching artist and workshop presenter, author Grant Overstake will read from his novels on resilience and racial literacy at the national Association for Rural and Small Libraries conference.

Award-winning author and teaching artist Grant Overstake will highlight themes of resilience and cultural understanding at the Association for Rural & Small Libraries (ARSL) National Conference. Overstake will read from his novels during the Author Fest event on Saturday, focusing on the strength of his characters as they face challenges similar to those encountered by today’s teens.

Overstake will share excerpts from his novels, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon and The Real Education of TJ Crowley.

Co-sponsored by Watermark Books & Cafe, the ARSL conference supports the growth and development of libraries in rural and small communities, helping them thrive and continue providing essential resources.

Grant Overstake will read from "Maggie Vaults Over the Moon" and "The Real Education of TJ Crowley."

Joining a lineup of acclaimed authors, including Jenn Bailey, Megan Bannen, K.L. Barron, Traci Brimhall, and Catherine Browder, Overstake’s presentation will explore how his novels address pressing issues in both urban and rural landscapes.

At a time when teens face increasing mental health challenges and divisions persist across communities, Overstake's books serve as powerful tools for fostering empathy, understanding, and personal growth. His characters' resilience in the face of adversity offers readers hope and encouragement to persevere.

In Maggie Vaults Over the Moon, the protagonist, Maggie Steele, embodies resilience as she copes with the loss of her brother and navigates the responsibilities of running a family farm. Through Maggie’s journey, readers are reminded of the power of determination and self-reliance, with a special introduction by Olympic Pole Vault Champion Katerina Stefanidi and group discussion questions by Dr. Melissa White, an expert in mental performance.

The Real Education of TJ Crowley is a thought-provoking novel set in Wichita during the late Civil Rights era. It explores the challenges of navigating a divided society, highlighting the importance of making informed decisions and cultivating empathy. As TJ confronts the world around him, readers are encouraged to reflect on their own beliefs and engage in meaningful conversations about acceptance and understanding.

While the Author Fest event is exclusive to conference attendees, Overstake's novels are available for purchase at Watermark Books and other retailers nationwide.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Grant Overstake established his independent press, Grain Valley Publishing Company, in 2012.

Grant Overstake, founder of Grain Valley Publishing, began his career in journalism at The Wichita Eagle and graduated from the William Allen White School of Journalism at the University of Kansas.

His journalism career spanned various roles, including as a sportswriter at The Miami Herald. Overstake later took on leadership positions with The Salvation Army in inner-city Chicago and The United Methodist Church in rural Kansas, driven by a passion for helping others.

His first novel, Maggie Vaults Over the Moon, was praised as a "fine YA novel about perseverance in sports and life" by Kirkus Reviews.

His second novel, The Real Education of TJ Crowley, was named Book of the Year by the Kansas Authors Club and has been adapted into a full-cast audio production, partially funded by the Kansas Arts Council and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Grant's dedication to storytelling extends beyond writing. He has been a guest speaker at the Kansas State University Young Writers’ Workshop and collaborated with Storytime Village and the Boys and Girls Clubs to inspire Wichita’s inner-city youth through the power of writing their own stories.