The Powder Springs community’s One Book, One City: Tween Challenge 2024 author talk and discussion program will take place during the City of Powder Springs Fall Festival Trunk-or-Treat on Saturday, October19 at 1:30 pm at Thurman Springs Park’s Hardy Family Automotive Amphitheatre, 4485 Pineview Drive in downtown Powder Springs.

One Book, One City is a citywide literary event organized to encourage the Powder Springs community to read the same book and join in a conversation about its themes and real life. This is a joint venture of the City of Powder Springs, the Book Worm Bookstore, an independent store located in the city; and the Powder Springs Public Library. One Book, One City was launched in 2021.

The Tween Challenge book selection is Olivetti by Allie Millington. The author will read selections from her book and answer questions from the audience, and will be available to sign books. Earlier in the week, One Book One City: Youth Book Discussion of Olivetti, a program for children ages 8 and up, will take place 6 pm Tuesday, October 15 at the library.

Olivetti is a typewriter. Olivetti feels forlorn, abandoned and forgotten by the Brindle family after living with them for several years. Replaced by a computer, Olivetti wishes the family would spent time with him, including the least busy member of the family, 12-year old Ernest. The typewriter is full of memories as Olivetti recalls every word typed on him. Olivetti experiences some hope as Ernest’s mom, Beatrice, visits only to be emotionally crushed as he is removed and left at Heartland Pawn Shop. After Beatrice disappears, Olivetti believes his memories would help locate her and breaks the “typewriterly code” by sharing memories with Ernest.

Among the positive reviews for Olivetti is praise for the first-time author, a resident of metro Atlanta, from a notable typewriter enthusiast:

"Millington’s writing does us a great favor. Her Olivetti is neither an automaton nor a pushover - there is a painful and problematic crisis in the house he has called home and his voice drives the action with compassion,” Tom Hanks said in the New York Times Book Review.

“Ernest speaks with a confusion and simmering panic recognizable to anyone who was once 12, loved their mother deeply and feared for her life...The Brindles will go on confronting ‘Everything,’ with hope, gusto and all the unity they can muster. They will set the family table for seven, with a place for Olivetti; put paper in his carriage, and wait.”

For more information about the One Book, One City events, call the Powder Springs Library at 770-439-3600 or the Book Worm Bookstore at 770-439-2029.