Award-Winning Author Laurie Halse Anderson to Join Museum of the American Revolution as First Young Adult Author Featured in Read the Revolution Speaker Series, May 14

Lecture to Discuss Anderson’s Historical Fiction Research, Writing Process for Young Readers

Special Onsite Rate for K-12 Educators, Students Ages Eight and Up for After-Hours Event 

New York Times bestselling author Laurie Halse Anderson will join the Museum on Thursday, May 14, 2026, from 6:30-7:30 p.m. to present the fourth public program in the Museum’s 2025-2026 Read the Revolution Speaker Series. This is the first event in the series’s nine-year history to feature a children’s and young adult author.

In this hybrid program, Anderson will discuss her process of research and writing historical fiction for young readers, including her 2000 bestselling book, Fever 1793, and her 2025 novel, Rebellion 1776. Museum President and CEO Dr. R. Scott Stephenson will introduce the presentation, and Museum Director of Education and Community Engagement Adrienne G. Whaley will host an interview conversation and facilitate a live Q&A with both onsite and online audiences.

Rebellion 1776 follows 13-year-old Elsbeth Culpepper and her life in Boston during the Revolutionary War and amid a smallpox outbreak. The novel explores the reality of daily life during wartime, the conflict between Revolutionaries and loyalists, the limited rights of women, and more. Fever 1793 tells the story of 14-year-old Mattie Cook who is navigating life during the yellow fever epidemic of Philadelphia in 1793.

“Children who learn about the founding of the United States will be ready to lead our country when the time comes,” said Anderson. “You can’t prepare for the future without understanding the past.”

Doors open at 6 p.m. for onsite guests to see a featured artifact from the Museum collection, enjoy refreshments at a cash bar, and attend a book signing with Anderson. Guests with onsite tickets are invited to arrive early to enjoy Revolution Place, the Museum’s family-friendly discovery center, and view The Declaration’s Journey from 5:15 p.m. to 6 p.m. K-12 educators and students ages eight and up are invited to attend and will receive a discounted rate when purchasing tickets onsite. Tickets can be purchased here. 

The Museum’s Read the Revolution Speaker Series brings celebrated authors and historians to the Museum for lively discussions of their work. Now in its ninth season, the series is based on the Museum’s national Read the Revolution bi-monthly e-newsletters, which feature excerpts from thought-provoking books to inspire learning about the American Revolution.  

About Laurie Halse Anderson

Laurie Halse Anderson is a New York Times bestselling author known for tackling tough subjects with humor and sensitivity. She’s twice been a National Book Award finalist, for Chains and Speak; Chains also received the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction. Laurie was chosen for the 2009 Margaret A. Edwards Award and received the Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award in 2023, presented to her by the Crown Princess of Sweden. She lives in Pennsylvania, and you can follow her adventures on X @HalseAnderson or visit her at MadWomanintheForest.com.

About Museum of the American Revolution

The Museum of the American Revolution uncovers and shares compelling stories about the diverse people and complex events that sparked America’s ongoing experiment in liberty, equality, and self-government. Through the Museum’s unmatched collection, immersive galleries, powerful theater experiences, and interactive elements, visitors gain a deeper appreciation for how this nation came to be and feel inspired to consider their role in ensuring that the promise of the American Revolution endures. Located just steps away from Independence Hall, the Museum serves as a portal to the region’s many Revolutionary sites, sparking interest, providing context, and encouraging exploration. The Museum, which opened on April 19, 2017, is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. For more information, visit www.AmRevMuseum.org or call 877.740.1776.