Featured Speakers

Kelly Yang

Kelly Yang is the New York Times bestselling author of Front Desk, winner of the 2019 Asian Pacific American Award for Children's Literature, Parachutes, and Three Keys. Front Desk also won the Parents' Choice Gold Medal, was the 2019 Global Read Aloud, and has earned numerous other honors including being named a best book of the year by Amazon, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, Publishers Weekly, and NPR. Learn more at KellyYang.com.

Kelly will be presenting in two conference sessions on Friday, November 4th:

"The Immigrant Experience and the Power of Books" (Concurrent Session): As an immigrant child, books welcomed Kelly Yang with open arms. They taught her the importance of her own story, even when she couldn't always see her experiences reflected on the page. Kelly will speak on the immigrant experience and how the power of books allows us to build empathy and bridges in communities.
"What Libraries Mean to Me" (General Session): Libraries change lives and Kelly Yang is walking, living proof of the power of libraries. For Kelly, libraries and librarians are essential to our democracy. Libraries are a place for all to learn, to access, to see themselves reflected in pages. They are safe places where all humans can be inspired. Kelly will speak on her love for libraries and why it is more important than ever that we protect libraries and safeguard access to books.

Phil Bildner

Phil Bildner is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books for kids. His latest book is the 2021 NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor-winning middle grade novel, A High Five for Glenn Burke. He is the author of many children’s picture books including the Margaret Wise Brown Prize winning Marvelous Cornelius, the Texas Bluebonnet Award winning Shoeless Joe & Black Betsy, Martina & Chrissie, Twenty-One Elephants, and The Soccer Fence. Phil is also the author of A Whole New Ballgame, Rookie of the Year, Tournament of Champions, and Most Valuable Players in the critically acclaimed middle grade Rip & Red series.

Phil will be presenting in two sessions on Saturday, November 5th:

“We Are Not Controversial, We Are Not Inappropriate” (General Session): Every young reader deserves to see themselves and their families positively represented in the books in their schools and libraries. This is especially the case for books with LGBTQIA+ characters, the books that have been vehemently targeted and frequently misrepresented during this current wave of book banning and censorship. What can be done -- what can each one of us do -- to combat this current wave of book suppression? How can we best support young readers, teachers, and librarians during this moment when equal access to knowledge and ideas is under attack.
Author Panel: LGTBQ+ Representation in Kids' and YA Literature (Concurrent Session)

Michael Leali

Michael Leali is a writer and educator living in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. He earned his MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. The Civil War of Amos Abernathy is his debut novel. Visit him online at www.michaelleali.com.

Michael will be presenting in one session on Saturday, November 5th:

Author Panel: LGTBQ+ Representation in Kids’ and YA Literature (Concurrent Session)

Lindsay Currie

Lindsay Currie is the author of several award-winning spooky middle grade novels. While she's never experienced anything truly paranormal, Lindsay enjoys researching her city's forgotten history and learning about the events that shaped the many ghost legends in Chicago. When she's not reading or writing a mystery novel of her own, Lindsay can generally be found taking long walks with her family, chilling with one of her dogs, or searching the graveyard for her next antagonist.

Lindsay has three middle-grade novels out currently - THE PECULIAR INCIDENT ON SHADY STREET, SCRITCH SCRATCH, and WHAT LIVES IN THE WOODS. Coming soon, THE GIRL IN WHITE!

To find out more about Lindsay, please visit her website at www.lindsaycurrie.com; Twitter: https://twitter.com/lindsayncurrie; Instagram: @lindsayncurrie; TikTok: @lindsaycurrieauthor.

Lindsay will be presenting in two sessions on Saturday, November 5th:

“Why Spooky Stories” (Concurrent Session): What do spooky stories bring to the table for young readers and how can educators harness this?
“Research & Inspiration” (Concurrent Session): A behind the scenes look at how one author of middle grade horror finds inspiration & researches, & revises her stories.

Jonathan Hunt

Jonathan Hunt is Coordinator of Library Media Services at the San Diego County Office of Education where he supports the 42 local school districts. He reviews for Horn Book Magazine, writes for School Library Journal, and frequently moderates literary panels and serves on award committees.

Jonathan will be presenting four sessions:

“Best Books for Middle School” (Pre-Conference, half-day Thursday session): Join Jonathan Hunt as he leads participants in an examination of the best books published recently for middle school aged readers. Participants will leave the session with a robust collection of featured titles and ideas.
“Best Books for High School” (Pre-Conference, half-day Thursday session) Session Description: Join Jonathan Hunt as he leads participants in an examination of the best books published recently for high school readers. Participants will leave the session with a robust collection of featured titles and ideas.
“Best Nonfiction” (Friday concurrent session): Join Jonathan Hunt as he shares some of the best nonfiction books published recently for middle school and young adult readers.
“Best Fiction” (Friday concurrent session): Join Jonathan Hunt as he shares some of the best fiction recently published for middle school and young adult readers.

John Schumacher (Mr. Schu)

John Schu has made a career out of advocating for the people and things he cares about most: kids, books, and the people that connect them. John is a children's book author, a part-time lecturer at Rutgers University, and the children's librarian for Bookelicious. His greatest joy is sharing his love of reading with countless educators and students around the world.

Mr. Schu will be presenting one session on Thursday, November 3:

“Best Books for Elementary” (Pre-Conference, half-day session): Join Mr. Schu, author of This Is A School and The Gift of Story: Exploring the Affective Side of the Reading Life (both published 2022) and renowned advocate for children's books, as he shares recommended books for elementary age readers.

Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Jennifer Lynn Barnes is the #1 NYT bestselling author of more than twenty YA novels, including the Inheritance Games trilogy. She wrote her first published novel as a teenager and sold her first five books while still in college. Jen is a Fulbright Scholar with advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science, including a Masters from Cambridge University and a Ph.D. from Yale University. She is a former psychology professor and one of the world's leading experts on the psychology of stories.

Jennifer will be presenting two sessions on Friday, November 4:

"The Psychology of Fiction" (General Session): Author and former psychology professor Jennifer Lynn Barnes offers a crash course in the science of stories and why we like them, with an eye to how psychological science can be used to maximize reader engagement and cultivate a passion for literature.
"The Power of Fandom" (Concurrent Session): In this session, Jennifer Lynn Barnes (author of The Inheritance Games) offers an overview of the psychology of fandom and how engaging readers' imaginations can empower readers and increase their emotional connection to stories.

Dan Gemeinhart

Dan Gemeinhart is the author of six books for middle grade readers: THE HONEST TRUTH, SOME KIND OF COURAGE, SCAR ISLAND, GOOD DOG, 2022 Rebecca Caudill Award winner THE REMARKABLE JOURNEY OF COYOTE SUNRISE, and THE MIDNIGHT CHILDREN. He lives in a small town smack dab in the middle of Washington state with his wife and three daughters. He was lucky and grateful to be a teacher-librarian in an elementary school for thirteen years, where he got to share awesome books with awesome kids. He loves camping, cooking and traveling. He also trail runs (slowly) and reads (constantly). His house is always a mess.

Dan will be presenting 2 sessions on Friday, November 4 and Saturday, November 5:

"How to Host a Great School Author Visit" (Friday Concurrent Session): Dan Gemeinhart has seen author visits from both sides, as a school librarian and an author. From planning to preparation to the big day, learn tips and tricks for making author visits in your school or library the very best they can be.
"For the Love of Libraries" (Saturday General Session): Dan Gemeinhart is a life-long lover of libraries. From a childhood spent checking out stacks of books from the bookmobile, to a career as a K-5 teacher-librarian, and now as an author visiting libraries, he knows first-hand how powerful and vital libraries are to our communities, schools, and society. He will trace his long relationship with libraries and make the case for why libraries and librarians are more essential and valuable now than ever.

Rena Barron

Rena Barron grew up in small-town Alabama, where stories of magic and adventure sparked her imagination. After penning her first awful poem in middle school, she graduated to writing short stories and novels by high school. Rena loves all things science fiction and fantasy, ghosts, and superheroes. Rena is the author of the young adult fantasy series Kingdom of Souls. Film rights sold to Warner Bros. with Michael B. Jordan (“Black Panther”) producing and Misan Sagay (“Belle”) writing the screenplay. Rena is also the author of the superhero middle grade contemporary fantasy series set in Chicago, Maya and the Rising Dark, a 2021 Ignyte Award Finalist.

Rena’s superpower is writing books that help create mirrors and windows for children of all backgrounds to learn about themselves, the world and develop empathy for others. Rena’s kryptonite: Ketchup.

Rena will be presenting one session on Saturday, November 5:

"Superhero Myth: Helping Students See Themselves as Heroes in Their Own Stories" (Concurrent Session): A superhero is a character with extraordinary powers (ex: Superman, Storm, Static Shock) or access to resources (ex: Batman, Black Panther, Bulma) that allow them to perform heroic acts. In this session, we will discuss the appeal of superheroes and how librarians can empower students to see themselves as heroes in their own stories. We will examine elements of heroism and discuss how kids can relate them to their everyday life and situations. We’ll also explore tips to help librarians foster the “superhero mentality” in their students.

Laurie Keller

Laurie is unfortunately unable to attend this year's events.

Laurie Keller is a children’s book author and illustrator who’s books include Arnie the Doughnut, The Scrambled States of America, Do Unto Otters, Open Wide: Tooth School Inside, Potato Pants! and Theodor “Seuss” Geisel Award recipient, We Are Growing! She illustrated the Marty Frye Private Eye books by Janet Tashjian, I Am the Shark! by Joan Holub and Pluto Gets the Call by Adam Rex.

Laurie grew up in Michigan and always loved drawing, making crafts and writing stories but didn’t know that “regular” people could become authors and illustrators. She considered a career as a teacher or dancer but when she visited Kendall College of Art and Design’s student art exhibit and realized there were opportunities in the art world, she immediately changed tracks. Upon receiving her BFA in Illustration, Laurie accepted a job as an illustrator for Hallmark Cards in Kansas City, MO. After 7 1/2 years, she moved to NYC and began her career as an author/illustrator. Laurie loved living in the Big Apple but eventually moved back to Michigan to be closer to family.

When Laurie isn’t making books, she enjoys traveling, reading, hiking, camping, playing with her cats and playing the banjo…not at the same time. Her cats HATE her banjo. So do her neighbors.

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