Authors & Illustrators

The free, virtual event features author conversations between Christina Soontornvat and Steve Sheinkin, James Patterson and Chris Grabenstein, and Malinda Lo and Daniel Nayeri, as well as creator panels and a closing keynote from Traci Sorell.

Erin Entrada Kelly, author of the Newbery medal-winning novel Hello, Universe, raved about Cookie Hiponia Everman’s debut novel saying it is "Simply beautiful. The kind of book that holds you close and won't let go." The two authors sat down to talk about Cookie’s book, the Philippines, writing, and more.

Trans and nonbinary authors Kacen Callender, Meredith Russo, Daniel Lavery, and Meredith Talusan joined moderator Kyle Lukoff for a conversation about their struggles and successes. 

The Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators has partnered with author Meg Medina to provide a grant for Latinx writers and teamed up with the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation for a new prize for BIPOC illustrators.

Inspired by her young library patrons, Beverly Cleary wrote the stories of regular kids and created generations of readers.

A read-aloud of Kyle Lukoff's book about a transgender boy in elementary school led to parental complaints and the school calling in counselors for the students who listened to the story. 

Debut novelists and former We Need Diverse Books mentees Diana Ma and Angeline Boulley discuss their writing challenges, their families’ reactions to their novels, and using the YA genre to discuss identity and culture.

Friends and fans gathered on Twitter this week, after learning of the death of Norton Juster, at 91, author of the beloved 60-year-old fantasy, The Phantom Tollbooth. 

Three YA authors tell SLJ about their favorite childhood books and take a deep dive into the main characters in their debut novels.