Book Fest Info - Fresh and New

FYI, happy New York-based campers.

Book Fest :A conference on books for children and teens
Saturday, February 3, 2007

Book Fest is sponsored by:
The New York PublicLibrary
Office of Children’s Services & Office of Young Adult Services
Conference location is: Celeste Bartos Forum, Humanities and Social Sciences Library, 42nd Street and Fifth Avenue

Highlights will include:Keynote Speaker
M.T.
Anderson

Author of Feed, a National Book Award Finalist and winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize.

A Graphic Novel Discussion Panel featuring:

Calvin Reid, Mark and SienaSiegel, Jennifer and Matt Holm, and Misako Rocks!

Once again, Book Fest 2007 will bring people together to share the joys of reading and talking about books for children and teens.

The Office of Children’s Services and The Office of Young Adult Services of The New York Public Library are pleased to continue this special event.

To kick the morning off, M. T. Anderson, winner of the 2006 National Book Award for The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume One: The Pox Party , and author of several books for children and young adults will be our keynote speaker. M. T. Anderson is also the author of Feed, a National Book Award finalist in 2002 and winner of the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, and Handel, Who Knew What He Liked, a Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Winner.

Next it will be time for you to discuss books in our small book discussion groups. Choose one of the nine groups listed by age to the right. Each is led by a well-known children’s or young adult literature specialist in the New York City area. Make a selection and read all the books listed so you can share in the discussion.

Our afternoon panel will feature an exciting array of talented authors and illustrators dedicated to the art of the graphic novel.

Calvin Reid, Senior News Editor of Publishers Weekly, has a regular column on comics and graphic novels. He is the founder and co-editor of PW Comics Week, an Email newsletter on comics and graphic novel publishing. Calvin is a contributing essayist for Africa Comics, a catalogue that accompanied an exhibit of contemporary comic art from Africa that is currently on display at the Studio Museum in Harlem.

Jennifer and Matt Holm are the author/illustrator team that produces the popular series -- Babymouse. Jennifer is also the author of Our Only May Amelia, a Newbery Honor book, and the Boston Jane series. Penny From Heaven is her most recent book.

Misako Rocks! is the author and illustrator of the manga titles Biker Girl and Detective Jermain! Check out the website: http://misakorocks.com/bikergirl/to find an exciting preview of Biker Girl.

Siena and Mark Siegel are the author and illustrator of the lovely To Dance: A Ballerina’s Graphic Novel, which was included in SLJ’s Best Books of the Year list. Mark is also the illustrator of Seadogs and Long Night Moon. In addition, he is the editorial director of First Second, an imprint that produces graphic novels for children, teens and adults.

To keep your energy flowing, there will be morning coffee, a gourmet lunch, and a sherry hour at the day’s conclusion. Book sales and autographing by our featured presenters will add to the day’s enjoyment.

So cool. I'll be there, and I'll sign up for the Middle Grade II discussion panel, in case anyone wants to join me. Needless to say, a really remarkable group that you can see speak professionally for the low low price of $55. Come hang with me, sweethearts.