Love in the Library
How do you find joy even when times are tough? Maggie Tokuda-Hall explores that question in Love in the Library, inspired by the true story of how her grandparents met when both were incarcerated in Minidoka during World War II. One was a library…
Juna and Appa
Juna loves helping her father at their family’s dry-cleaning shop, but when a customer is mean to her Appa, Juna sets off on a magical journey to help her dad, along the way learning about the many ways fathers care for their young. Jane Park…
Magic Goes Global: The Marvellers
A talented young person with remarkable powers is accepted into an elite magic school, where they encounter new friendships, old rivalries, and plenty of adventure. Think you know that story already? Think again, because in her middle-grade…
Meet the Medalists
We're rolling out the red carpet for some luminaries of children's literature at this year's Festival. Join us in welcoming the two most recent winners of the Newbery Medal, children's literature's most prestigious award, which celebrates its…
I Am Smoke
In these parts we know about smoke, right? You might be surprised by how much more there is to learn! In his new book I Am Smoke, Henry Herz invites readers to discover smoke’s history and power throughout civilization, from its role in communications…
Best of the Best 90-Second Newbery Film Fest
Our celebration of the Newbery Medal's hundredth anniversary continues! The 90-Second Newbery Film Festival is an annual video contest, culminating in live events, in which young filmmakers make movies that tell the entire stories of Newbery-winning…
What’s New in Native American Literature for Kids
A wider range of Native American issues, stories, and characters than ever before are being represented in books for young people. In this session, hear from debut YA author Jen Ferguson (The Summer of Bitter and Sweet), picture book author…
Native Voices: Essayists from the 2022 Graton Student Writing Program
The Graton Writing Project is a series of writing workshops open to middle- and high-school Native students from Sonoma, California, that culminates in a published youth anthology. This year, students were asked to write on the theme of enacting…
Let It Grow
Spring has sprung, and what better way to celebrate than by planting a garden? In this session, we’ll hear Sacramento author JaNay Brown-Wood read her new picture book Miguel’s Community Garden. Then horticulturist and educator Riz Reyes…
I Am Able to Shine
If you've ever felt invisible or overlooked, you'll relate to Keiko’s story in this picture book by husband-and-wife team Korey Watari and PIXAR artist Mike Wu. Keiko learns to embrace her Japanese American identity and shine bright; so will…