Markus Zusak, author of the fall 2012 One Book, One Chicago selection, The Book Thief, joins this annual conference which takes on the Now Is The Time theme. Now Is The Time is citywide initiative partnering Steppenwolf Theatre, Facing History and Ourselves, and the Chicago Public Library, and focuses on stopping the trend of violence and intolerance in our communities. Funding for Now Is The Time is provided by the Hive Chicago Learning Network through the Smart Chicago Collaborative, a joint project of The Chicago Community Trust, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, and the City of Chicago.

This event is part of the fall 2012 One Book, One Chicago program. One Book, One Chicago is presented by the Chicago Public Library, the Chicago Public Library Foundation, Allstate and BMO Harris.