Pity poor Mal, the genius who wants to belong

Mal is a kid genius with a talking dog. So why doesn’t anyone pay attention to him and his canine buddy?

Mal wears a lab coat to school and his crush, Megan, has formed a club that has a no-boys-allowed policy, especially Mal. Still, Mal wants to belong, somewhere. At least he’s got his dog, Chad.

That’s part of the story of Stephen McCranie’s new graphic novel, “Mal and Chad: Food Fight!”

McCranie, an Albuquerque cartoonist, talks about and signs his book for young readers at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4, at the University of New Mexico Bookstore. This is the second Mal and Chad novel. McCranie received a fine arts degree from UNM.

AT BOOKWORKS: The bookstore hosts several author events this week. … Mary E. Black, G. Emlen Hall and Fred M. Phillips discuss their new book, “Reining in the Rio Grande: People, Land and Water,” at 7 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31. John Fleck’s review in the Journal said the authors give “a tour of our efforts to make peace and profit with the Rio Grande, dating back to the Native communities that have long lived in the river’s valley. The authors effectively tackle the river’s central problem — the ‘arrogance,’ to use their word, behind the transformation of a meandering river … into a deep narrow channel for the delivery of water to human users downstream.” … Carol Olmstead chats about her book “Feng Shui — Quick Guide for Home and Office” at 7 p.m. Friday, Feb. 3. … Cherie Burns talks about her book, “Searching for Beauty: The Life of Millicent Rogers,” at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. A Journal review said the biography is “a noteworthy one. It’s a well-researched and entertainingly readable portrait of a lesser-known yet fascinating character who became a part of New Mexico’s cultural history.” The thousands of objects Rogers amassed — from pottery and textiles to silver and turquoise jewelry — became the genesis of a Taos museum that bears her name.

Bookworks is at 4022 Rio Grande NW.

SOUTHWEST WRITERS EVENT: Author Cherie Burns will discuss the particular challenges of writing about a legend from a journalistic reference point at 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. Burns wrote a biography of Millicent Rogers. (See above item). The event is at New Life Presbyterian Church, 5540 Eubank NE. $5 general public.

AT ALAMOSA BOOKS: Teresa R. Allen of Bernalillo reads from her book “The Tale of the Teeny, Tiny Black Ant: Helping Children Learn Persistence” at 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 4. The store is at 8810 Holly NE.

LIBRARY REOPENS: The Erna Fergusson Library has reopened after being closed four months for renovations, which include more space for patrons, materials and public computers and improved air conditioning. The library, at 3700 San Mateo NE, re-opened Jan. 9. Hours are 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Mondays-Thursdays, 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 1-5 p.m. Sundays.

IN SANTA FE: The pubic is invited to join Albuquerque author Jennie Lusk, photographer Lucy Gilster and six lawmakers of both parties to celebrate the new book “A Century of Statehood: A Centennial View of the Origins of 21st Century New Mexico Legislative Decision-Making” at 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, in the State Capitol rotunda.

MORE IN SANTA FE: Collected Works, at 202 Galisteo, presents poet Rosé reading from his latest collection, “The Pearl Upon the Crown: Eight Cantos,” at 6 p.m. Monday, Jan. 30. and Charlie Newton reading from his novel “Start Shooting” at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 31.