Six Bridges Book Festival: T.L. Simpson

Moderated by John Williams

Six Bridges Book Festival presents T.L. Simpson (Cope Field). Moderated by John Williams.

TL Simpson

T. L. Simpson is a nationally acclaimed novelist and journalist whose YA novel Cope Field was a 2026 Michael L. Printz Honor Book. A longtime newspaper editor in Arkansas, Simpson draws on his experience covering sports, crime, and community life in his fiction.  
 
In Cope Field, when Craw is sentenced to community service for hitting his father in the head with a baseball bat, he accepts his punishment without objection, knowing he’s actually lucky. If he weren’t the son of a famous former baseball player, he’d probably have gotten it a lot worse. So, Craw keeps his mouth shut and takes what life gives him. Like always. But when he arrives at community service, he meets Hannah Flores, a punk rock enthusiast trapped in the Ozarks. As Craw navigates his own explosive home life, he learns more about hers. And as their friendship blossoms into something more, he begins to understand the importance of speaking his truth, even when doing so might destroy the

ASL interpretation will be provided for all Six Bridges sessions held in CALS Ron Robinson Theater. ASL interpretation for sessions at other CALS locations and Six Bridges venues (including CALS Main Library) will be provided by request. To request ASL interpretation, please submit an ASL Interpretation Request form.

CALS will validate parking in the CALS Library Square surface lot and the CALS Parking Deck. The entrance to the surface lot is located on 2nd Street near River Market Ave. The entrance to the parking deck is located on Rock Street and can be accessed from President Clinton Ave. Street parking is also available throughout the River Market District (free after 6pm and on weekends).

only life he’s ever known.