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Jasmine Warga

Authors at the Library

Award-winning author Jasmine Warga joins Elisa Stone Leahy in conversation about her new book, a moving story about a friendship between a rescue dog and a cheetah.

Authors at the Library with

JASMINE WARGA

Tuesday, March 10 | 6 p.m. 
Hilltop Branch | 511 S. Hague Ave.

5:30 p.m. | Free book giveaway begins. Book sale opens.
6:00 p.m. |  Elisa Stone Leahy in conversation with JASMINE WARGA 
6:45 p.m. |  Q&A
7:00 p.m. |  Book Signing
7:00 p.m. |  Columbus Zoo and Aquarium Animal Encounter

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Jasmine Warga is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan, A Rover’s Story, The Shape of Thunder, and A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall. Her book Other Words for Home received a Newbery Honor and Walter Honor, among numerous other awards. Here We Are Now and My Heart and Other Black Holes, her novels for teens, have been translated into over twenty-five languages. She lives in the Chicago area with her family.

ABOUT THE BOOK

The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan is the moving story of a cheetah who forms a friendship with a rescue dog–a bond that will change their lives forever. Perfect for fans of Katherine Applegate and Rosanne Parry.

Finnegan is a rescue dog with a broken heart. Chase is an anxious cheetah cub, newly orphaned.

The two animals couldn't be more different. But one day, they are brought together for the unlikeliest of reasons: Finnegan must help Chase gain the confidence she needs to perform as part of an educational program for children at a zoo.

Finnegan and Chase have each suffered losses and have trouble trusting. Yet somehow, they are just what the other needs. But if Finnegan isn’t able to help Chase overcome her fears, he won’t just be letting Chase down–he could be risking his new home as well.

Inspired by true stories from zoos across the country, award-winning author Jasmine Warga creates a deeply moving tale about how the power of friendship can transcend anything – even species.

ABOUT THE MODERATOR

Elisa Stone Leahy is a queer, Peruvian American children’s author who lives with her husband and kids in Columbus, Ohio. Whether creating award-winning documentary films or connecting readers to books through her work at the Columbus Metropolitan Library, Elisa has always surrounded herself with stories. Her first middle grade book, Tethered to Other Stars, was a finalist for the Cybils Award and the Ohioana Book Award. Her second book, Mallory in Full Color, was a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection, an Ohio Book Award finalist and was short-listed for the 2025 Lambda Literary Award. Elisa is a member of Authors Against Book Bans and Right to Read Ohio.

GENERAL EVENT DETAILS

After the author talk, Jasmine will sign books for attendees. The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium's Animal Encounter will be at the library during the book signing. Meet a labrador with a very special job--a companion to the cheetahs at the Zoo! Just like Chase, these cheetah companion labradors are an important part of the educational work the zoo does with their animals.

The event is free to the public. Due to limited seating, registration is required. 

Free copies of the book will be available while supplies last, thanks to Battelle. One per family.

THANK YOU TO OUR PARTNERS

Columbus Metropolitan Library offers events and programs for customers of all ages. Battelle’s generous gift to the Columbus Metropolitan Library Foundation helps make it possible for the library to host additional author talks and programs for kids and teens that encourage a lifelong love of reading. Our goal is to host diverse, nationally recognized authors at programs that are free and open to all. 

This program is brought to you in part by the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium.

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