What does home and belonging mean to you? After a short reading of their work, celebrated kid lit authors will have a candid conversation about what home and belonging mean to them personally. Readers will be invited to draw a picture or write a poem or story that describes what these things mean to them […]
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Award-winning Author Cynthia Leitich Smith gives insight into how real life inspired her YA novel (HEARTS UNBROKEN), reads from her groundbreaking picture book (JINGLE DANCER), and talks about what it’s like to write for many age groups. We even get to meet her pup!
Take a Virtual Korean Vacation with Korean Authors!
Do you love K-Pop, K-dramas, Korean food, or any of the amazing books from Korean authors coming out this year? Well let’s take a virtual trip to South Korea! Authors Kim Hyun Sook (Banned Book Club), Robin Ha (Almost American Girl), and Erin Yun (Pippa Park Raises Her Game) will show you how to read […]
It’s All Relative: Sibling Stories
Join a dynamic conversation between an award-winning team of celebrated authors, all of whom have books that explore the unique dynamics of sibling-hood. Find out how and why they chose to explore the special (and sometimes frustrating!) dynamic between sibs, and how their own upbringing may have influenced their choices. The panel will be led […]
Doodle Duel!
Author-illustrators will have a Doodle Duel! Remy Lai (FLY ON THE WALL) and Kayla Miller (ACT) will sketch out prompts submitted by young readers. And don’t worry, this intense duel will end in harmony as the panelists answer reader questions about their upcoming books and drawing!
Inspired by a True Story
What do a rock climber, an astrophysicist, and an actor have in common? They ‘re all picture book authors, too! Hear from three very different accomplished professionals: Kamen Edwards (THE ONE AND ONLY DYLAN ST. CLARE), Ray Jayawardhana (CHILD OF THE UNIVERSE), and Ashima Shiraishi (HOW TO SOLVE A PROBLEM) about how they pulled from […]
Team Tropes: YA Fantasy Edition
3 Teams, YA Tropes, No Hold Barred Debate! Authors will battle it out for their favorite YA fantasy tropes. YA fantasy authors Swati Teerdhala (THE ARCHER AT DAWN), Kat Cho (WICKED FOX), Roseanne A. Brown (A SONG OF WRAITHS AND RUIN), Katy Rose Pool (THERE WILL COME A DARKNESS), Janella Angeles (WHERE DREAMS DESCEND), and […]
Meg Medina
Newbery Award medalist Meg Medina (MERCI SUAREZ CHANGES GEARS) talks about finding silver linings during this tough time, persevering through difficulties in her childhood, and the books she’s excited about right now.
Magic vs. Science: Children’s Authors Battle It Out!
Science and magic often collide in stories for children. Three authors–Anne Nesbet (DARING DARLEEN, QUEEN OF THE SCREEN), J. Anderson Coats (SPINDLE AND DAGGER), and Sayantani DasGupta (THE CHAOS CURSE)–of books that contain both scientific themes AND fantastic or magical elements will engage in lively, humorous “duels,” in which each writer will debate the question, […]
Jason Reynolds
Award-winning author Jason Reynolds (STAMPED, MILES MORALES, THE LONG WAY DOWN) discusses his respect for young readers, what it means to be honest as an artist, and opens up about meaningful events in his youth.