Author Louis Sachar is a literary celebrity. His “Marvin Redpost” and “Wayside Stories” series have delighted elementary and middle school students for decades. He’s received enough literary awards to fill a mid-sized library, and his Newbery Medal-winning novel “Holes” was made into both a feature movie and a stage play.

He is also an enthusiastic bridge player and member of the American Contract Bridge League who plays on a regular basis at his local bridge club, and whenever he can when he’s not home in Austin, Texas. Sachar’s latest novel, “Cardturner,” combines his inventiveness in creating quirky and heart-filled tales with his real life love for the card game. The book, described by Sachar as his best, has added adults to his long list of devoted fans.

At 4 p.m. on Sunday, March 3, the community is invited to a free book talk about “The Cardturner” by Sachar sponsored by the Jewish Community Center in the White Theatre of the Jewish Community Campus. It’s the story of an awkward teen forced by his parents to serve as the eyes and the hands of his uncle, a blind and brilliant bridge player. As the elderly gentlemen’s “card turner.” Alton Richards describes the hands he’s holding and plays them as he’s instructed. The cards they are dealt play out and their personal relationship unfolds against the backdrop of complex family relationships, competition for the uncle’s fortune and personal discovery.

Sachar provides patient explanations and philosophical musings about the card game, delighting players, guiding the uninitiated and, according to local reader Martha Gershun, “making bridge sound like the most exciting game imaginable.”

As fitting follow up to the book talk, Sachar will join local players for an evening of bridge at the JCC. Beginning at 7 p.m. on March 3, the event will accommodate duplicate bridge players, directed and scored by bridge director Carol Calkins; or social bridge in an adjoining room. Included will be Don Stack, the number three-ranked player in the country. Bridge players are invited to participate by forming tables and registering by Feb. 26. The cost is $10 per table; call 913-327-9007.

These events honor the memory of Gloria P. Gershun, a professional librarian and passionate booklover with deep ties to the Jewish community. Among her many volunteer activities, Gershun co-founded the Kansas City Jewish Book Fair at the JCC and was active in its growth and support for many years. They are made possible in part by funding from Lawrence and Donna Gould Cohen; and Martha Gershun and Don Goldman.

Details

March 3
4 p.m. Book Talk and Book Signing: “Cardturner”
Previous books by Sachar will also be available to purchase
Free community event

7 p.m. An Evening of Bridge at the JCC
Duplicate bridge, directed and scored by Carol Calkins
Social bridge in adjoining room
Call 913-327-8007 to register by Feb. 26, full tables requested; $10/table