The Somerville Public Library invites all residents to a book discussion of Strong Boy: The Life and Times of John L. Sullivan, America’s First Sports Hero with author Christopher Klein, to be held Wednesday, Nov. 20 at 7 p.m. at the Central Library, 79 Highland Ave. Strong Boy tells the story of America’s first sports superstar, Sullivan, the first athlete to earn more than a million dollars. Rising from Boston’s Irish working class to become the most recognizable man in the nation in the late nineteenth century, he is said to have transformed the sport of boxing.

Christopher Klein is a writer specializing in history, travel, and sports. His books include Discovering the Boston Harbor Islands: A Guide to the City’s Hidden Shores and The Die-Hard Sports Fan’s Guide to Boston. Klein is a frequent contributor to the Boston Globe and History.com, and has also written for The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler, Harvard Magazine, Red Sox Magazine, ESPN.com, Smithsonian.com, and AmericanHeritage.com.

This free author discussion is co-sponsored by the Friends of the Somerville Public Library and the Harvard Coop Bookstore. Harvard Coop will be selling books, and refreshments will be served. All are welcome.