This December 7th, join us , Library Journal, and School Library Journal for our Winter 2023 virtual book and author festival, a free day-long event celebrating reading, authors, and librarians everywhere! Enjoy a day packed with author panels and interviews, book buzzes, virtual shelf browsing, and adding to your TBR pile. Get a sneak preview below of what we’ll have going on during this packed day of books and fun and register for the FREE event here.

11:00 – 11:50 AM ET | Family Ties
The importance and complexity of family, friends, and identity are explored in these middle grade novels.

Ruth BeharAcross So Many Seas (Penguin Young Readers)
Debbie FongNext Stop (Random House Children’s Books)
Mae RespicioIsabel in Bloom (Random House Children’s Books)
Andrea WangSummer at Squee (Penguin Young Readers)
Moderator: Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook (NY)

 

2:20 – 3:10 PM ET | Who Am I? and Other Questions That Have No Answers
Teens struggle with familial expectations, medical racism, and structural queerphobia as they try to figure out who they are and what they want.

Jumata EmillWander in the Dark (Random House Children’s Books)
Walela NehandaBless the Blood: A Cancer Memoir (Penguin Young Readers)
Stephanie OakesThe Meadows (Penguin Young Readers)
Patricia ParkWhat’s Eating Jackie Oh? (Random House Children’s Books)
Moderator: Lisa Krok, MLIS, MEd, Adult and Teen Services Manager, Morley Library (OH)

4:10 – 4:30 PM ET | Afternoon Keynote with Oliver JeffersBegin Again (Penguin Young Readers)

OTHER FUN STUFF!!!!

And here’s a sneak preview of some of our other fun stuff!

The Newbery sticker brings a lot of excitement to a book—it’s also exciting when one of these authors has a new book! You’re in luck! We have four new middle grade novels from Newbery Honor-winning authors! Get started reading these new books and sign up for the free New by Newbery webinar to hear from the authors themselves!

Start Reading New by Newbery Titles!

Running a Mock Award Book Club at your school or library? Get tips, ideas, and more in this how-to guide!

Download the Guide!