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Peter Brown, author of “The Wild Robot” series.

Award-winning authors Peter Brown and Shannon Bowring will take the stage at Stone Mountain Arts Center in Brownfield on Friday, Aug. 8, for the ninth annual Evening with Maine Authors to support Camp Susan Curtis. It is the only camp in Maine that exclusively serves Maine children from low-income households, who would not otherwise be able to access the connection and learning of an overnight camp experience.

Peter Brown is a celebrated author and illustrator of bestselling children’s books, including the prestigious Caldecott Honor winner Creepy Carrots. His book “The Wild Robot” was made into a movie by DreamWorks Animation, which was a huge commercial success. At one point, it was the No. 1 most-watched movie in the world, and it went on to earn multiple Golden Globe and Academy Award nominations.

Shannon Bowring, Maine author and librarian.

Novelist Shannon Bowring’s “The Road to Dalton” won the 2024 Maine Literary Book Award for fiction, and her “Where the Forest Meets the River” was the May 2025 selection for Maine Public Radio’s All Books Considered. In addition to being a very good writer, Shannon is also a local librarian!

This year’s event begins at 5 p.m. with a cocktail hour in the Queen Post Barn, followed by a buffet dinner in the Maine Hall. After dinner, Brown and Bowring will read from their works and be available to sign books. The evening also includes a former camper who will relate how they have benefited from the camp. Tickets are limited and can be purchased online at maineauthors9.eventbrite.com.

The presenting sponsor for the ninth consecutive year is Great Northern Docks of Naples, Maine. Other sponsors are Norway Savings Bank, Hancock Lumber, Chalmers Insurance Group, and Oxford Federal Credit Union. Bridgton Books will provide books by the featured authors.

Camp Susan Curtis has helped more than 19,000 Maine children access life-changing camp experiences since its founding in 1974; over 6,000 of these children have come from Cumberland County. The 10-day overnight camp is 100% donor funded and is the only summer camp in Maine that provides a completely free program designed especially for children facing economic hardship. Learn more at susancurtis.org.