JULIE AYER: Member of the Minnesota Orchestra for 36 years introduces “Defying the Silence,” a labor history about how some of the world’s finest musicians walked a picket line and how local music lovers rallied around them. The musicians were locked out Oct. 1, 2012, starting the longest work stoppage in American orchestral labor history. The author is a professional violinist, arts advocate and historian. 6 p.m. Thursday, Next Chapter Booksellers, 38 S. Snelling Ave., St. Paul.

CHAPMAN/COY: Ty Chapman, who writes children’s books and poetry, and John Coy, award-winning author of books for children and young adults, launch “Stokes: The Brief Career of the NBA’s First Black Superstar,” the story of Maurice Stokes, who played basketball in the mid-1950s and is not as well known as he should be in part because of a career-ending injury. 6 p.m. Tuesday, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Register at redballoonbookshop.com.

DORER/HOMSTAD: Kari Lie Dorer and Torild Homstad discuss “Muus v. Muus,” a newly translated American edition of a book first published in Norway, about a wife’s lawsuit against her husband in 1880s Minnesota that shook the Norwegian-American community because in the eyes of the Norwegian Synod she had erred by not bringing her complaint to the congregation. She was not allowed to speak, even though in America laws regarding inheritance were on her side. Co-published with the Norwegian American Historical Association on the occasion of Northfield-based St. Olaf College’s sesquicentennial. Dorer holds the King Olav V Chair of Scandinavian American Studies at St. Olaf and Homstad has taught Norwegian at St. Olaf and the University of Minnesota. 7 p.m. Wednesday, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls. Registration required: magersandquinn.com.

SARAH JAFFE: New Orleans-based writer/reporter and social critic introduces “From the Ashes,” about the politics of grief in an era marked by loss, showing us how we can find our humanity once more as we face issues ranging from COVID deaths to planetary disasters. In conversation with Rod Adams, founder/executive director for New Justice Project in Minnesota. 7 p.m. Tuesday, Magers & Quinn, 3038 Hennepin Ave. S., Mpls.

(Courtesy of Milkweed Editions)

AMY/DAVE FREEMAN: Ely-based National Geographic Adventurers of the Year host a program titled Vote for the Environment, with Wendy Bennett, Alex Falconer, Larry Kraft and Becky Rom, inspired by the Freemans’ book “North American Odyssey: 12,000 Miles Across the Continent by Kayak, Canoe, and Dogsled.” Free. Hosted by publisher Milkweed Editions. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Open Book, 1011 Washington Ave. S., Mpls.

MINDY MEJIA: Discusses “A World of Hurt,” widely praised second in her Iowa Mysteries series (after “To Catch a Storm”), in which FBI informant Kara Johnson, who is immune from pain, teams up with Iowa police officer Max Summerlin, who is in constant pain, to bust a drug-trafficking operation. In Totally Criminal Cocktail Hour author series presented by Valley Bookseller of Stillwater. In conversation with Minnesota thriller writer Matt Goldman, 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, Lowell Inn, 217 N. Main St., Stillwater. $10. Go to valleybookseller.com/event.

CRISTINA OXTRA: Minnesota Filipino American who writes books for young readers including the Teen Titans Go! Multiverse Adventure Series, launches her debut picture book, “What Lolo Wants,” dedicated to her grandfather who taught her how to draw. In celebration of Filipino American Heritage Month. 5 p.m. Saturday, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul.

RANDY RIBAY: National Book Award finalist for “Patron Saints of Nothing” introduces his new young adult novel “Everything We Never Had,” about four generations of Filipino American boys grappling with identity, masculinity, and their fraught father-son relationships, published in celebration of Filipino American Heritage Month. In conversation with Cristina Oxtra. 6 p.m. Thursday, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Register at redballoonbookshop.com.

MARCIE RENDON: Discusses her latest novel, “Where They Last Saw Her,” the story of a Native American woman who has had enough of disappearing Native women and empowers other women to stop abuse. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Union Depot, 214 E. Fourth St., presented by Story Line Books.

ELIOT SCHREFER: Introduces his new gender-bending young adult novel “The Brightness Between Us,” sequel to his American Library Association Stonewall Honor book “The Darkness Outside Us.” In conversation with Minnesota young adult author Anne Ursu. 6 p.m. Wednesday, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul,. Register at redballoonbookshop.com.

STEPHEN SHASKAN: One of Minnesota’s favorite children’s writers introduces “Pizza and Taco: Best Christmas Ever!” in which the goofy pals decide it’s never too early to make their Christmas wish lists. All they have to do is be super-nice and well-behaved. 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Red Balloon Bookshop, 891 Grand Ave., St. Paul. Registration suggested: redballoonbookshop.com.

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