“Find your community, take heart, and be undaunted.” That’s the message bestselling author Jennifer Chiaverini shared with readers on Sunday, April 13, during a special after-hours event at the Evergreen Park Public Library, 9400 S. Troy Ave., in celebration of National Library Week.
Chiaverini, a New York Times bestselling author of 34 novels, including the beloved Elm Creek Quilts series, introduced her latest release, The World’s Fair Quilt, to a packed audience of fans, readers, and quilting enthusiasts. Published in April by William Morrow (HarperCollins), the new novel draws on real events from the 1933 Chicago World’s Fair and explores themes of sisterhood, resilience, and historical legacy.
“We reached out to Jennifer Chiaverini to discuss her latest book as part of our ongoing efforts to bring interesting and engaging authors and programs to our community,” said Amanda M. Gaston, Marketing and Programming Librarian at Evergreen Park Public Library. “We know that a large portion of our patrons enjoy fiction, and with Chiaverini being a New York Times bestselling author with numerous popular titles, we believed her work would resonate deeply with our readers.”
Chiaverini’s presentation brought the past vividly to life as she shared the real-life inspiration behind The World’s Fair Quilt. She was drawn back to a moment from her earlier novel The Master Quilter, where she briefly mentioned the Sears National Quilt Contest at the 1933 Century of Progress Exposition.
“One evening, at a library event in Wisconsin, a reader in the signing line remarked, ‘Gwen believes there’s a whole book to be written about the Sears National Quilt Contest. I hope you agree,’” Chiaverini recalled. “Her comment lingered in my imagination ever after.”
That idea eventually became the foundation for her new novel, which centers on Sylvia Bergstrom Compson, octogenarian co-founder of Elm Creek Quilts. The story unfolds as Sylvia prepares to exhibit a quilt she created with her sister as a teenager, a piece that won two prizes in the nation’s largest-ever quilt contest, with 25,000 entries.
“The contest offered an unprecedented opportunity for artistic expression, fame, and competition during the hardship of the Great Depression,” Chiaverini explained. “It was a moment in women’s history worth remembering—and reimagining.”
As Sylvia reflects on the quilt and the turbulent relationship with her sister, she must also confront a long-held secret dating back to 1933. Meanwhile, her friend and colleague Summer Sullivan prepares the quilt for display at a historical exhibit, believing it holds lessons for the present.
“I hope that readers will be inspired to emulate Sylvia when they face difficult times – that they’ll find strength in community and in remembering the many courageous people who overcame great challenges in the past,” Chiaverini told attendees.
Gaston said the event offered a unique experience for the Evergreen Park community.
“I was most looking forward to seeing our patrons interact with Jennifer and hear her discuss The World’s Fair Quilt,” she said. “It was a rare opportunity to hear directly from a bestselling author about her creative process. These kinds of programs deepen our patrons’ appreciation for literature.”
Chiaverini’s work has long blended fiction with deep historical research.
A graduate of the University of Notre Dame (BA in English) and the University of Chicago (MA in English Language and Literature), she has earned praise for her ability to bring overlooked moments in history to light through compelling narratives. In 2020, she received the Wisconsin Library Association’s Outstanding Achievement Award for Resistance Women, and in 2023, was named a Notable Wisconsin Author.
She also shared thoughts on why she continues to write historical fiction.
“Historical fiction engages the imagination in a way that a list of facts and dates does not,” she said. “It allows us to immerse ourselves in a character’s perspective, making their experiences more immediate and relatable… I believe— I hope—that this can lead to a more peaceful, more just world.”
With her signature warmth and wit, Chiaverini’s visit left a lasting impression on Evergreen Park, stitching together threads of literature, history, and community in one unforgettable evening.