Kwame Mbalia Discusses Jax Freeman & The Phantom Shriek

MahoganyBooks is thrilled to host an adventerous afternoon with national bestselling author Kwame Mbalia as we celebrate his new middle grade train adventure story Jax Freeman & The Phantom Shrieks! A perfect afternoon event for any kiddos and adventure seekers in your life!

About the book: Jax Freeman & The Phantom Shriek

The award-winning author of the best-selling Tristan Strong trilogy has created a secret world where kids can wield magic by summoning the power of their ancestors

What do you get when you combine Kwame Mbalia's incredible imagination and world-building talent with trains, history, and ghosts? Nothing less than middle grade magic.

On his twelfth birthday, Jackson "Jax" Freeman arrives at Chicago's Union Station alone, carrying nothing but the baggage of a scandal back in Raleigh. He's been sent away from home to live with relatives he barely knows. But even worse are the strangers who accost him at the train station, including a food vendor who throws dust in his face and a conductor who tries to steal his skin.

At his new school, Jax is assigned to a special class for "summoners," even though he has no idea what those are . . . until he accidentally unleashes an angry spirit on school grounds. Soon Jax is embroiled in all kinds of trouble, from the disappearance of a new friend to full-out war between summoning families.

When Jax learns that he isn't the first Freeman to be blamed for a tragedy he didn't create, he resolves to clear his own name and that of his great-grandfather, who was a porter back in the 1920's. By following clues, Jax and his schoolmates unlock the secrets of a powerful Praise House, evade vengeful ghosts, and discover that Jax may just be the most talented summoner of all.

A unique magic-school fantasy from the best-selling and award-winning author of the Tristan Strong trilogy has just pulled into the station.

About the author: Kwame Mbalia is a #1 New York Times best-selling author and the publisher of Freedom Fire, an imprint of Disney Hyperion devoted to stories about the Black diaspora by Black creators. His debut middle-grade novel, Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky, was awarded a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, and it was followed by Tristan Strong Destroys the World and Tristan Strong Keeps Punching. Kwame lives with his wife and children outside Raleigh, North Carolina, where he is currently working on the next Jax Freeman adventure. For more information, go to www.KwameMbalia.com. Residence: Rolesville, NC Author Site: KwameMbalia.com Social: Twitter: @KSekouM; IG: Mbalia

Event guidelines are subject to change.

• 12:30 PM - Doors Open | 1 PM Conversation Begins | 2: 30 PM End
• Non-refundable tickets, however transfers made be made.
• Face masks optional throughout event.
• Please email us at at least 14 days in advance at [email protected] should you need any accommodations to attend this event
• Please note, books not picked up at the event can be retrieved at our National Harbor location for two weeks after event day. Afterwhich, they will be donated to a local organization.
• Photographs may be taken during the event WITHOUT FLASH.
• Note: By entering the event premises, you waive all rights you may have to any claims for payment or royalties in connection with any photographs or videos taken.
• Please tag us and use #mahoganybooks, #blackbooksmatter #pgcmls & #JaxFreeman on social media.

--Let's have an amazing afternoon,

The MahoganyBooks Team

Host or Publisher MahoganyBooks