What would any conference be without author sessions? TLA is going to be PACKED with author sessions- the only problem is going to be having to choose which one to go to! From discussing diversity and evaluating authenticity in voices to what makes series books tick and up and coming debut authors, there is something for everyone. Beyond the break I’ve pulled together a smorgasbord of the panels that relate to tween and teen specialists.
Headed to TLA next week? What sessions are you most excited to attend? Share in the comments!
TUESDAY
After Harry Potter: The Future of YA Fantasy
2:00 – 2:50 pm
How has young adult fantasy evolved over time, and where is it going? Several YA authors discuss these questions, preview new selections, and offer author programming resources. Martha Brockenbrough, Arthur A. Levine Books, Scholastic Inc.; Michael Buckley and Alethea Kontis, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; Marie Lu, Penguin Random House; and Melissa Marr, HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Young Adult Round Table.
A Colorful Canon: Building Diversity in Children’s Literature
2:00 – 3:50 pm
Small presses offer a powerful response to the call for diverse children’s literature. Learn how small publishing houses and authors are contributing to an important conversation about books that help children see themselves in the books they read. Lee Byrd, Cinco Puntos Press; Jeanne Devlin, The Roadrunner Press; Cynthia Leitich Smith, Candlewick Press; Don Tate, The Brown Bookshelf; and Marina Tristan, Arte Público Press.
Children’s Round Table.
WEDNESDAY
11th Annual Poetry Roundup
10:15 – 11:50 am
Join colleagues for this annual presentation showcasing the power of poetry to develop language and literacy skills. Experience firsthand the pleasures of the spoken word as you hear from some of today’s top poets writing for young people. Jorge Argueta, Groundwood; Leslie Bulion, Peachtree Publishing; Kari Anne Holt and Kenn Nesbitt, Chronicle Books; J. Patrick Lewis and George Ella Lyon, Boyds Mills Press; Micol Ostow, Egmont USA; Brian Rock, poet; Don Tate, Peachtree Publishers; Sylvia Vardell, School of Library and Information Studies, Texas Woman’s University; Lee Wardlaw, poet; and Janet Wong, Pomelo Books.
Children’s Round Table.
Connecting Young Readers to World Cultures with Books
10:15 – 11:50 am
Through reading about topics that range from soccer players in the Red Army to children crossing cultural boundaries to perform in a circus, young readers learn about world cultures through books. Hear how authors research their books and how Skype can be used to bring together authors, readers, and cultures. Keith Hemstreet and Patti Wheeler, Greenleaf Book Group; Thanhha Lai, HarperCollins Children’s Books; Cynthia Levinson, Peachtree Publishers; Eugene Yelchin, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; and Jane Yolen, Penguin Random House.
Children’s Round Table.
Teen Literature: Real Life, Real Issues
10:15 – 11:50 am
Teens deal with tough issues every day. Contemporary literature can help them through trying times. Authors discuss their works, offer programming resources, and show how young adults can find strength and hope within the covers of books.
Estela Bernal, Arte Público Press; Elena Dunkle, Chronicle Books; E.R. Frank, Simon & Schuster Childen’s Publishing; Jo Knowles, Candlewick Press; Sarah Darer Littman, Scholastic Inc.; Katie McGarry, Harlequin Teen; and Ash Parsons, Penguin Random House.
Young Adult Round Table.
Explore the Science in the YA Science Fiction and Dystopian Genres
2:00 – 3:50 pm
What is the difference between science fiction and dystopian literature, and how is science affecting both genres? Some of today’s top YA authors answer these questions and discuss their works. A business meeting precedes the program. Jessica Brody and Cecil Castellucci, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; Kiera Cass and Lauren Oliver, HarperCollins Children’s Books; and Lydia Kang, Penguin Random House.
Young Adult Round Table.
Help Children Cope: Real Life, Real Issues
2:00 – 3:50 pm
Life can be tough, but kids can overcome through bravery, wit, luck, friendship, family, and sometimes recipes! Learn from writers who craft middle-grade novels about kids coping with important life issues. Avi, Workman Publishing; Lydia Gil, Arte Público Press; Mark Goldblatt, Penguin Books for Young Readers; Karen Harrington and Kat Yeh, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers.
Children’s Round Table.
THURSDAY
Hear Us Roar! Examining the Strong Female Role Model in YA Literature
9:00 – 9:50 am
What constitutes a strong female role model in young adult literature? How has this role evolved over time and where is it going? Explore these questions and others with authors creating some of these dynamic characters. Renée Ahdieh, Penguin Random House; Ally Carter, Scholastic Inc.; Jennifer Latham and Sarah Tomp, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Jennifer Mathieu, Mary E. Pearson, and Marie Rutkoski, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Young Adult Round Table.
The Many Facets of Young Adult Historical Fiction
9:00 – 9:50 am
The historical genre in young adult literature includes contemporary historical reinterpretations, steampunk, historical mysteries, historical romances, and more. Learn about the genre and its evolution from authors who specialize in this field. Andrea Cremer and Stacey Lee, Penguin Random House; A.C. Gaughen, Bloomsbury; April Lindner, Little, Brown Books for Young Readers; Michaela MacColl, Chronicle Books; and Ashley Perez, Lerner Publishing Group.
Young Adult Round Table.
Tayshas Reading List Panel for High School Students
9:00 – 9:50 am
The Tayshas Reading List Committee presents programming ideas for this year’s list (for grades 9-12) and features authors included on past lists. Alexandra Bracken, Disney Book Group; Paul Griffin, Scholastic Press, Scholastic Inc.; Emmy Laybourne, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; Meg Medina, Candlewick Press; René Saldana, Jr., Arte Público Press; and Sherry Thomas, Teen, HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Young Adult Round Table.
A Nightmare to Remember: The Allure of Horror for Teens
10:00 – 10:50 am
Teens take to horror like zombies to brains! What is the perpetual attraction? Learn more about why teens crave horror books from authors whose books are making us sleep with the lights on. Trish Doller, Bloomsbury Children’s Books; Diane Hoh, Open Road Media; Micol Ostow, Egmont USA; Laurie Faria Stolarz, Disney Hyperion; Danielle Marie Vega and Rachel Vincent, Penguin Random House.
Young Adult Round Table.
Lone Star Reading List Panel for Grades 6-8
10:00 – 10:50 am
The Lone Star Reading Committee presents programming ideas for this year’s list and features authors whose books have been included on the list, geared to grades 6-8.
Diane Gonzales Bertrand, Arte Público Press; and Neal Shusterman, HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Young Adult Round Table.
Unique Formats in YA Novels
10:00 – 10:50 am
Don’t judge a book by its cover – at least not these books! Come learn all about the interesting new ways authors are getting their message across. From prose-poetry andgraphical novel approaches to digital and multi-platform presentations, authors discuss different formats.
Melanie Crowder, Penguin Random House; Adele Griffin, Soho Press; Todd Hasak- Lowy, Shaun David Hutchinson, and Scott Westerfeld, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Young Adult Round Table.
Spirit of Texas Reading Lists for Middle & High School
10:00 – 11:20 am
Members of the Spirit of Texas Reading Committees (middle and high school) present programming ideas for this year’s list. Authors featured on the lists will discuss their books, share examples of programs, and demonstrate activities. Lee Bacon, Penguin Random House; Kelly Milner Halls, Lerner Books; and Cynthia Levinson, Peachtree Publishers.
Young Adult Round Table.
Steampunk and Fantasy: The Lure of Distant Worlds
10:00 – 11:50 am
From alternate histories to alternate realities, steampunk and fantasy authors reveal the creative aspect of rending foreign worlds and the emotional spark of finding universal lessons that draw in readers. Ilona Andrews and Rachel Caine, Penguin Random House; C.C. Hunter, MacMillan-Adult; Sophie Jaff, HarperCollins Publishers; and Thomas Willeford, McGraw-Hill.
Public Libraries Division
Series Appeal: When’s the Next One Coming Out?
1:00 – 1:50 pm
Kids love to read series books. Is it because readers discover how favorite characters face new challenges? Or is it because open-ended plots drive readers to find out what happens next? Learn how authors keep characters fresh and plots exciting in new and favorite middle grade series. Andrea Cheng, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; John Erickson, Maverick Books; Kate Klise, Algonquin for Young Readers; and Gordan Korman, HarperCollins Children’s Books.
Children’s Round Table.
YA Contemporary Literature: The Next Hot Thing
1:00 – 1:50 pm
Learn about trending topics in one of the hottest genres in YA literature today. Speak with authors about their books and ideas about what is coming in the YA contemporary genre. Michelle Knudsen, Candlewick Press; Chris Lynch and Jason Reynolds, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing; CJ Lyons, Sourcebooks; Julie Murphy, HarperCollins Children’s Books; and Andrew Smith, Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing/Penguin Random House.
Young Adult Round Table.
Meet Rising Stars of YA Literature
2:00 – 2:50 pm
Meet some of today’s debut young adult authors. Learn what motivates them to write and what books your students – and you – should be reading. Becky Albertalli, HarperCollins Children’s Books; Adi Alsaid, Harlequin Teen; David Arnold, Aisha C. Saeed, and Sabaa Tahir, Penguin Random House; Katie Coyle and Henry Turner, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; and Hannah Moskowitz, Chronicle Books.
Young Adult Round Table.
We Write DIVERSE Books
2:00 – 2:50 pm
Distinguished children’s book authors, Pam Muñoz Ryan (Esperanza Rising, Echo), Christina Diaz Gonzalez (The Red Umbrella, Moving Target), and Varian Johnson (The Great Greene Heist) will discuss their books, touching on the importance of representations of diverse characters and strong storytelling to enhance cultural awareness and reader engagement across levels. Christina Diaz Gonzalez, Varian Johnson, and Pam Muñoz Ryan, Scholastic Inc.
Conference Program Committee.
Writers Who Hit the Middle Grade Sweet Spot
3:00 – 3:50 pm
Capture the interest of middle grade readers with mystery, adventure, and heart. A panel of authors reveals their secrets and shares insights about their latest books. Paige Britt, Spencer Quinn and Sarah Weeks, Scholastic Inc.
Conference Program Committee.
FRIDAY
Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Program Featuring Jeff Smith
9:00 – 9:50 am
The Maverick Graphic Novel Reading List Committee presents programming ideas for this year’s list. This program will feature Jeff Smith, best known as creator of the comic book series BONE and winner of numerous awards and honors including 10 Eisner Awards and 11 Harvey Awards. “Little Mavs,” a new graphic novel list for younger kids, will be introduced. Jeff Smith, Graphix, Scholastic Inc.
Young Adult Round Table.
YA 4 Every1
10:00 – 11:20 am
What is it about young adult literature that is so popular that even adults are reading it? Learn more about the hot trends in YA crossover from some of today’s top adult authors who are now writing for young adults, as well as from YA authors whose books are being read by adults. Michele Cook, Jennifer Niven and John Sandford, Random House Children’s Books; Colleen Gleason, Chronicle Books; Justine Larbalestier, Soho Teen; Sarah J. Maas, Bloomsbury Children’s Books; and Gena Showalter, Harlequin.
Young Adult Round Table.
Let’s Hear Their Stories: American Indians, Arabs, and Arab-Americans
10:00 – 11:50 am
Representing American Indians and Arabs/ Arab-Americans in library collections is an important component of diversity. The panel of authors and library science specialists surveys the availability of children’s and YA books about these groups and will point out ways librarians can evaluate books for accuracy, fairness, and freedom from stereotype. Nancy Bo Flood, Boyds Mills/Highlights; Janice L. Kowemy (Laguna Pueblo), Laguna Public Library; Elsa Marston, Wisdom Tales Press; and Loriene Roy ( Elsa Marston White Earth Anishinabe), School of Information, University of Texas at Austin at Austin; and Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Creek), Candlewick Press.
Conference Program Committee.