| This year's exciting agenda at-a-glance 10:00 AM | Booths Open 11:00–11:30 AM | Opening Keynote: Lynda Mullaly Hunt (Penguin/Nancy Paulsen Bks.)
Lynda Mullaly Hunt is the author of the New York Times bestseller Fish in a Tree and Bank Street Best Book One for the Murphys. Her latest middle grade novel, Shouting at the Rain, publishes in May. 11:30 AM–12:15 PM | Panel 1: Make ‘Em Laugh: Funny Reads
From slapstick physical humor to potty jokes to droll observations, humor can turn a reluctant reader into a voracious one. But writing funny characters and scenes is not as easy as it looks. Here we’ll take a deep dive into a selection of rib-tickling titles and find out how their creators craft such lovable and chuckle-worthy tales. Georgia Dunn, Breaking Cats News and Lupin Leaps In (Andrews McMeel)
Lamar Giles, The Last Last-Day-of-Summer (HMH/Versify)
Kelly Jones, Are You Ready to Hatch an Unusual Chicken? (Knopf)
Geoff Rodkey, We're Not From Here (Crown)
Moderated by Marybeth Kozikowski, Sachem Public Library, Holbrook, NY Reserve your place today 12:15–12:30 PM | Break 12:30–1:00 PM | Lunch Keynote with Kekla Magoon (Random/Wendy Lamb Bks.)
Kekla Magoon is the author of The Rock and the Rivehar, Camo Girl, the “Robyn Hoodlum Adventures” series, and The Season of Styx Malone. She is the recipient of numerous awards, including three Coretta Scott King Honors, an NAACP Image Award, the Walter Award Honor, and inclusion on the National Book Award Long List. The Season of Styx Malone was named an SLJ Best Book of 2018. 1:00–1:45 PM | Panel 2: Exploring "Tough Topics" in Fiction
The last decade or so has seen the astronomical rise of YA fiction in mainstream culture, often lauded for its ability to tackle timely and even controversial topics in a relevant way for teens. But what of its younger sibling, middle grade literature? Here we’ll talk with authors who’ve explored a variety of serious issues within their works, including stories about living below the poverty line, witnessing and surviving violence, grappling with grief and changing familial situations, and understanding structural racism. Tony Abbott, The Great Jeff (Little, Brown)
Veera Hiranandani, The Night Diary (Penguin/Kokila)
Mae Respicio, The House That Lou Built (Random/Wendy Lamb Bks.)
Kate Messner, Breakout (Bloomsbury)
Moderator TBD 1:45–2:30 PM | Panel 3: Graphic Narratives
The graphic format continues to expand and evolve, covering a rich range of topics, genres, and subject matter, with luminous and delightful offerings for middle grade readers. We’ll go behind-the-scenes with creators for an in-depth look at how these portable works of art are inspired, researched, and made. Don Brown, Rocket to the Moon (Abrams)
Shannon Hale, Best Friends (First Second)
Dylan Meconis, Queen of the Sea (Candlewick)
Mai K. Nguyen, Pilu of the Woods (Oni Press)
Brenna Thummler, Sheets (Lion Forge)
Moderated by Mahnaz Dar, SLJ Graphic Novel Editor 2:30–2:45 PM | Break Reserve your place today 2:45–3:30 PM | Panel 4: Fantastic Worlds, Incredible Journeys
Whether it’s fairies and wizards, ghostly apparitions, science-inspired adventure, or the very fate of our universe, fantasy/adventure captivates like few other genres. Using the elements of speculative fiction, these stories can allow illuminate current realities. Here we’ll talk with authors who craft fantastic worlds that also reflect and affirm the everyday experiences of kids and tweens. Alane Adams, The Blue Witch (Sparkpoint Studio)
David Bowles, The Unicorn Rescue Society: The Chupacabras of the Rio Grande (Dutton)
Carlos Hernandez, Sal and Gabi Break the Universe (Disney)
Kim Long, Lexi Magill and the Teleportation Tournament (Running Pr.)
Allison Mills, The Ghost Catcher (Annick)
Moderated by Ashleigh Williams, SLJ Assistant Editor, Middle Grade 3:30–4:00 PM | Closing Keynote: Ali Benjamin, The Next Great Paulie Fink (Little, Brown) | 
