Author Works: Zack Smedley discusses "Tonight We Rule the World" (IN-PERSON)

This event will take place in-person at the Savage Branch as well as over Zoom.

Use this page to register for the in-person event. If you wish to register for the Zoom event, click here.

Join Zack Smedley as he shares his sophomore YA novel Tonight We Rule the World in conversation with HCLS Teen Instructor & Research Specialist Sarah Cooke. 

Zack Smedley's first YA novel Deposing Nathan was a Lambda Literary Award Finalist, a 2020 ALA Rainbow List Selection, a Kirkus Reviews Best Books of 2019 Selection, and winner of the 2019 YA Bisexual Book Award. Tonight We Rule the World has been called "an important, authentic, thought-provoking story" by author Bill Konigsberg, "unflinchingly honest and powerful... a timely exploration of identity, consent, survival, and the heart-wrenching ways trust is stolen from us," by author Julian Winters, "equal parts heartfelt and heartbreaking... a brilliant read," by author Stephanie Kuehn. 

In the beginning, Owen’s story was blank . . . then he was befriended by Lily, the aspiring author who helped him find his voice. Together, the two have spent years navigating first love and amassing an inseparable friend group. But all of it is upended one day when his school’s administration learns Owen’s secret: that he was sexually assaulted by a classmate. 

In the ensuing investigation, everyone scrambles to hold their worlds together. Owen, still wrestling with his self-destructive thoughts and choices. His father, a mission-driven military vet ready to start a war to find his son’s attacker. The school bureaucrats, who seem most concerned with kowtowing to the local media attention. And Lily, who can’t learn that Owen is the mystery victim everyone is talking about . . . because once she does, it will set off a chain of events that will change their lives forever. 

Heartbreaking and hopeful, this is a coming-of-age story that explores how we rebuild after the world comes crumbling down.

“An important, authentic, thought-provoking story . . . Owen is a character I’ll remember for a long time.” – Bill Konigsberg, award-winning author of The Music of What Happens

“Unflinchingly honest and powerful. Tonight We Rule the World is a timely exploration of identity, consent, survival, and the heart-wrenching ways trust is stolen from us. Smedley's authentic, thoughtful voice is essential to young readers.” – Julian Winters, award-winning author of How to Be Remy Cameron

 “Equal parts heartfelt and heartbreaking [. . .] an unflinching exploration of love, betrayal, power, and trauma, and ultimately, what it means to speak your truth in a world that's never truly been willing to listen. A brilliant read.” – Stephanie Kuehn, Morris Award-winning author of Charm & Strange

 “No one does heartbreak like Zack Smedley. In TONIGHT WE RULE THE WORLD, he weaves an intimate human drama into a thriller of almost mythic power. This book explores the endless ripple effects of sexual assault—and Smedley handles it with brilliant detail and care.”  – Adam Sass, award-winning author of Surrender Your Sons