One of the most exciting features of the Annual Convention is the assembly of popular, award winning authors who attend. Here is a sampling of some of the hundreds of authors who will participate in professional development sessions in Chicago.
Monday’s Primary Literature Luncheon features Peter H. Reynolds, lauded author and illustrator of the delightful children’s books The Dot, Ish, and Rose’s Garden. Reynolds has also illustrated books for authors Judy Blume, Megan McDonald (Judy Moody), Ellen Potter, Eleanor Estes, and more.
Jacqueline Woodson will speak at the Tuesday Young Adult Literature Luncheon. Woodson has won many awards including the Caldecott Medal, the Coretta Scott King Award, the Newbery Honor Medal, and the National Book Award, among others. She has touched the lives of readers of all ages with her books The Other Side, Beneath a Meth Moon, Show Way, and many more.
On Wednesday, Christopher Paul Curtis speaks at the Book and Author Luncheon. Curtis is the award-winning author of The Watsons Go to Birmingham-1963; Bud, Not Buddy; and more. Bud, Not Buddy, is the first book ever to receive both the Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award.
These author luncheons are ticketed events and sell out fast. The cost is $60.00 per person per event. Visit www.iraconvention.org for ticket details.
The author panel entitled Series Favorites: Heroes, Scamps, & Sidekicks on Tuesday at 2:00 p.m. features Goosebumps series creator R. L. Stine, Guardians of Ga’Hoole series author Kathryn Lasky, and Franny K. Stein and Dear Dumb Diary series writer Jim Benton.
Bad Kitty series author Nick Bruel participates in a featured author session on Monday at 11:00 a.m. Also at that time, Michael Buckley (The Sisters Grimm series) joins a dozen other influential presenters at the Children’s Choices: Visual Literacy through Graphic Novels & Picture Books session.
Shannon Hale (author of the Princess Academy series) joins Annie Barrows (Ivy & Bean series) at the Early Literature Author Panel on Monday at 2:00 p.m.
On Tuesday at 9:00 a.m., join Jane Yolen (Owl Moon), Marilyn Singer (Tallulah’s Tutu), and Children’s Poet Laureate J. Patrick Lewis (Doodle Dandies) for Reading and Writing Rollicking Rhymes: Using Humorous Poems to Introduce Students to An Often Intimidating Form of Literature—Poetry.
Patricia McCormick, author of Never Fall Down and Cut, is part of the International Authors Panel on Tuesday at 1:00 p.m.
Bullies, Brats, and Bystanders: Combating Negative Peer Pressure with Young Adult Literature at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday features Heather Brewer (The Chronicles of Vladimir Tod), Rita Williams-Garcia (One Crazy Summer), Siobhan Vivian (Not That Kind of Girl), and Jay Asher (Thirteen Reasons Why).
Rita Williams-Garcia also participates in the Closing General Session on Wednesday at 2:30 with Laura Numeroff (If You Give a Mouse a Cookie), Esmé Raji Codell (Educating Esmé: Diary of a Teacher’s First Year), and Linda Sue Park (Storm Warning).
Authors, dates, times, and details are subject to change. Visit www.iraconvention.org and use the “Event Search” on the “Program Grid” for more information.