Editor Laura Schreiber reads Tim Federle's 'Tommy Can't Stop.' Photo courtesy of Rocco Staino

The editors at Disney Hyperion traded in the red pencils for scripts as they did dramatic reading from their upcoming titles during the Spring Preview, which took placing in Chicago during the 2015 ALA Midwinter Meeting (January 30–February 3). Dina Sherman, school and library marketing director, began with Adam Rex’s Smek for President (2015), the sequel to his 2007 The True Meaning of Smekday, which continues the intergalactic misadventures of Tip and J. Lo. The book is set to coincide with the release of the DreamWorks animated film Home (based on the first book), starring television actor Jim Parsons and songstress Rihanna. Two titles on a more serious note are Kirsten Hubbard’s Watch the Sky (April), for middle grades, and Kelly Loy Gilbert’s young adult title Conviction (May). Both books feature male protagonists who face difficult choices. In Watch the Sky, Jory has to cope with his stepfather, who is suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder and who has the family digging a tunnel every night, while Gilbert’s debut novel centers on Braden, a teen whose father, a nationally known Christian radio host, is accused of murder. A key witness to the incident, Braden finds himself holding his father’s fate in his hands There was a feeling of festivity in the air when books by Christopher Myers, Tim Federle, Dave Barry, and Bob Shea were presented. Myers’s picture book My Pen (March) was inspired by his visits to juvenile delinquent centers. Through black-and-white illustrations, he demonstrates that drawing is a powerful means of expression. Humorist Barry will makes even middle school teachers smile with his new book, The Worst Class Trip Ever (May). Federle’s latest project is his picture book Tommy Can’t Stop! (April), illustrated by Mark Fearing. Laura Schreiber, editor at Disney Hyperion, read aloud this cheerful story about energetic Tommy, whose antics keep his family members exhausted—until his sister suggests tap dancing as an outlet. Word on the street is that the tap dance sounds on the audio version of the book were actually made by the author Federle. During the event’s finale, marketing director Sherman and senior art director Joann Hill gave a dramatic reading of Bob Shea’s Ballet Cat: The Totally Secret Secret (May). Assuming the roles of Ballet Cat and Sparkles the Pony, the pair shared this story of friendship and acceptance. Dina Sherman and Joann Hill read from Ballet Cat.