| Program 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM ET | Visit the Exhibit Hall
10:30 AM - 11:00 AM ET | In Conversation: Megan Madison & Jessica Ralli, co-authors of Our Skin: A First Conversation About Race
Listen in as Megan Madison and Jessica Ralli, co-authors and experts in the fields of early childhood and activism against injustice, discuss their first book in a new topic-driven board book series offering clear, concrete language that young children can grasp and adults can use to begin important conversations in an informed, safe, and supported way.
Introduced by: Sarah Bayliss, News & Features Editor, SLJ TWO CONCURRENT PANELS 11:05 AM - 11:55 AM ET | Illuminating Book Club Picks
Novels and memoirs offer stories to sustain conversation.
The Ugly Cry by Danielle Henderson, a hilarious and heartrending memoir that redefines what it means to be family (Viking)
Rainbow Milk by Paul Mendez, a coming-of-age debut that grapples with race, class, and identity (Doubleday)
Things We Lost to the Water by Eric Nguyen, a debut novelist with one of the most anticipated books of the year (Knopf)
Crying in H Mart by Michelle Zauner, a memoir that builds on her viral 2018 New Yorker essay of the same title (Knopf)
Moderator: Migdalia Jimenez, Adult Services Librarian, Chicago Public Library (IL)
11:05 AM - 11:55 AM ET | Making a Difference: Picture Books
These four picture books feature inspiring stories celebrating community, giving back, and achieving one’s goals.
My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, the loving story of a father and son’s weekend ritual, a demonstration of community care, and a tribute to the fluidity, complexity, and vibrancy of life on the U.S.-Mexico border (Kokila)
The Cot in the Living Room by Hilda Eunice Burgos, a Dominican American girl’s journey from jealousy to empathy as her parents babysit children whose families work overnight shifts (Kokila)
Areli Is a Dreamer: A True Story by Areli Morales, a DACA Recipient, a debut children’s book where hope prevails (Random House Studio)
Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress by Alicia D. Williams, a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Author Award winning author (Anne Schwartz Books)
Moderator: Melanie Kletter, School Library Journal Reviewer
12:00 PM - 12:50 PM ET | Real-Life Narratives
Follow WWII soldiers, explorers, and a 63-year-old equestrian on the ride of her life.
Facing the Mountain: A True Story of Japanese American Heroes in World War II by Daniel James Brown, the bestselling author of The Boys in the Boat (Viking)
The Confidence Men: How Two Prisoners of War Engineered the Most Remarkable Escape in History by Margalit Fox, winner of the William Saroyan Prize for Literature and author of three previous books, Conan Doyle for the Defense, The Riddle of the Labyrinth, and Talking Hands (Random House)
The Ride of Her Life: The True Story of a Woman, Her Horse, and Their Last-Chance Journey Across America by Elizabeth Letts, bestselling author of The Eighty-Dollar Champion and Finding Dorothy (Ballantine Books)
Every Day the River Changes: Four Weeks Down the Magdalena by Jordan Salama, a writer who travels from the source of the Río Magdalena in the Andes to where it meets the Caribbean sea (Catapult)
Madhouse at the End of the Earth: The Belgica's Journey into the Dark Antarctic Night by Julian Sancton, a senior features editor at Departures magazine, who gained the first official access to the expedition’s logbook (Crown)
Moderator: Jesse Sanders, Branch Manager, Fairview Park Branch, Cuyahoga County Public Library (OH)
12:50 PM - 1:30 PM ET | Break / Visit the Exhibit Hall
1:30 PM - 2:00 PM ET | Andy Weir in Conversation
Bestselling novelist Andy Weir discusses his upcoming novel, Project Hail Mary (Ballantine Books), a survival tale about a lone astronaut fated to save the Earth.
Introduced by: Barbara Williams, AeroAstro and Physics Librarian, MIT Libraries (MA) TWO CONCURRENT PANELS 2:05 PM - 2:55 PM ET | Genre-Busting Thrillers
Meet the authors blowing the doors off the thriller genre.
Dead Dead Girls by Nekesa Afia, a debut novelist who takes readers back to 1920s Harlem (Berkley)
Dead of Winter by Stephen Mack Jones, his third “August Snow” novel (Soho Crime)
Velvet Was the Night by Silvia Moreno-Garcia, the bestselling author of Mexican Gothic who now turns her brilliant talents from speculative fiction to noir. (Del Rey)
Bath Haus by P. J. Vernon, his second novel after his splashy debut, When You Find Me (Doubleday)
Moderator: Ashley Rayner, Branch Manager, Chicago Public Library (IL)
2:05 PM - 2:55 PM ET | Finding Your Truth: YA
These novels explore the complexities of friendships, identity, and love.
Chlorine Sky by Mahogany L. Browne, a novel-in-verse about a young girl coming-of-age and stepping out of the shadow of her former best friend (Crown BFYR)
The Passing Playbook by Isaac Fitzsimons, a feel-good contemporary young adult romance about a trans teen who must decide between standing up for his rights and staying stealth (Dial Books for Young Readers)
Everyone Dies Famous in a Small Town by Bonnie-Sue Hitchcock, a collection of stories that connect the lives of young people from small towns in Alaska and the American west (Wendy Lamb Books)
Switch by A.S. King, a surreal and timely novel about isolation and human connection from Michael L. Printz Award winner (Dutton Books for Young Readers)
Moderator: Desiree Thomas, Librarian, Worthington Library (OH)
2:55 PM - 3:30 PM ET | Break / Visit the Exhibit Hall
3:30 PM - 4:20 PM ET | Big Summer Reads
Two debut authors and three fan favorites shine with must-have beach reads. These are the books your patrons will be asking about and lining up to check out.
The Personal Librarian by best-selling authors Marie Benedict and Victoria Christopher Murray, an NAACP Image Award winner (Berkley)
Songs in Ursa Major by buzzy debut author and publishing insider Emma Brodie (Knopf)
The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller, another debut author and former head of drama series at HBO (The Sopranos, Six Feet Under, and The Wire) (Riverhead)
Where the Grass Is Green and the Girls Are Pretty by Lauren Weisberger, best-selling author of The Devil Wears Prada and When Life Gives You Lululemons (Random House)
Moderator: Wendy Bartlett, Collection Development and Acquisitions Manager, Cuyahoga County Public Library (OH)
4:30 PM - 5:00 PM ET | Listen Up: Audiobooks Read by the Author
Spoken word poet Jasmine Mans, author of Black Girl, Call Home and Pulitzer-winning playwright Quiara Alegría Hudes, author of My Broken Language, will discuss their writing, the power of the spoken word and their experiences narrating their own audiobooks.
ON-DEMAND SPONSOR SESSIONS
Available starting at 11:00 AM ET
PRHPS Kids’ Corner Author Panel l An Exploration of History, Conservation, Life Stories, and More!
Andrea Debbink, The Wild World Handbook: Habitats (Quirk Books) An inspiring guide for the next generation of climate activists, conservationists, and nature lovers.
Traci Sorell, We Are Still Here! (Charlesbridge) Twelve Native American kids present historical and contemporary laws, policies, struggles, and victories in Native life.
G. Z. Schmidt, The Dreamweavers (Holiday House) Twin siblings journey through the City of Ashes and visit the Jade Rabbit to save their grandpa in this Chinese folklore-inspired fantasy adventure.
Gail Jarrow, Ambushed!: The Assassination Plot Against President Garfield (Astra Publishing House) This thrilling title for young readers blends science, history, and medical mysteries to tell the story of the assassination and ultimately horrible death of President James Garfield.
Moderated by Christy Lau, New York Public Library Children's Librarian
What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid?: A Q&A with Michal Oshman
Michal Oshman, author of What Would You Do If You Weren’t Afraid? (May 4) and Head of Company Culture, Diversity and Inclusion at TikTok Europe, joins DK’s Kristen Pozzuoli in a Q&A that will inspire you to ask yourself that very question. As a mentor for leaders in top global companies, Michal has created a unique personal growth methodology based on the life-changing principles of Jewish wisdom. Hear about her personal journey toward self discovery and the practical advice she offers in her new book to help readers find courage and move forward freely with no fear at all.
Fairy Tale Retellings
Sophisticated and subversive fairy tales for the twenty-first century reader. A princess falls for an evil sorceress, Cinderella wants Prince Charming dead, Wendy’s life after Neverland, and The Arabian Nights with a YA twist.
The Wrath and the Dawn by bestselling author Renée Ahdieh (Penguin Young Readers)
The Charmed Wife by Olga Grushin, winner of the New York Public Library Young Lions Fiction Award has written her biggest idea yet (Putnam)
Malice by Heather Walter, is a buzzy debut from a former English teacher and current librarian (Del Rey)
Wendy, Darling by A.C. Wise, writer of speculative fiction and nominee for the 2020 Nebula Award for Best Short Story (Titan Books)
Moderated by Kristi Chadwick, LJ Columnist and Reviewer
Penguin Random House Partners Book Buzz
Hear about must-have fiction, non-fiction, YA, and Fandom titles from summer and fall of 2021 for ALL readers! Join Penguin Random House Library Marketing and several of their distribution partners for a full presentation of forthcoming books you won’t want to miss! Titles from the following publishers will be included:
Boyds, Mills & Kane
Charlesbridge
Holiday House
Melville House
Quirk Books
Soho Press
And more!
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