Youth involvement in communities, social causes, and activism has been on the rise for the past 10 years, forming a powerful force in the fight for their futures. Join author Carmen Tarfolla (Warrior Girl) and educator Becky Calzada (co-founder of TX FReadom Fighters) as they discuss the power of youth activism in literature and how to discuss current affairs in the classroom. In addition, representatives from Penguin Young Readers join to share resources to help tackle book banning in your communities.

From far into the future or modern day, our young heroes must face countless obstacles including from the systems meant to protect them. Pulling from history and history-in-the-making, authors Lauren Yero (Under This Forgetful Sky), Aya de León (Untraceable), Lorraine Avila (The Making of Yolanda La Bruja), and María José Fitzgerald (Turtles of the Midnight Moon) talk about how they shaped their worlds and how their words inspire leaders of today and tomorrow.

Former Young People’s Poet Laureate Margarita Engle (Water Day & Wings in the Wild) and award-winning poet Aida Salazar (A Seed in the Sun & Land of the Cranes) explore the storytelling power of poetry and its ability to communicate with young readers across the ages and through Margarita’s long and critically-acclaimed career.

Dr. Tracey Flores and Dr. María E. Fránquiz (NCTE President), authors of a new book in the Principles in Practice Series of NCTE, offer portraits of classroom teachers in Arizona and Texas. These portraits provide concrete examples of ways children’s literature is used to highlight the voices and stories of young bi/multilingual writers. This event is sponsored by NCTE.

Join Lilliam Rivera (Barely Floating) and Julian Randall (Pilar Ramirez and the Curse of San Zenon) for a craft workshop as they discuss finding your character's superpower with tips on what to ask your character to get to know their strengths, their fears, and their loves. Bring your notebook or laptop and come ready to write

Join Francisco S. Stork (I Am Not Alone), Hailey Alcaraz (Up In Flames), Federico Erebia (Pedro & Daniel) and moderator Laekan Zea Kemp (An Appetite for Miracles) as they break down how their characters tackled physical and mental obstacles and how young readers today can take strength from those very characters.

Educators will learn about resources and texts that will help them and their students discuss mental health.

What reminds you of home? Join our illustrators Rachel Más Davidson (I Love You Mucho Mucho), Robert Liu-Trujillo (Fresh Juice), Sendy Santamaria (Yenebi's Drive to School), and Elisa Chavarri (A Crown for Corina) as they draw out what home is for them. From small treasures and special mementos, our illustrators will draw out YOUR ideas. Bring your prompts to this live event and you might even see your own treasures on the big screen!

If you want to be a real writer you have to write 6-8 hours a day. If you want to be a real writer you can only read the classics, right? WRONG! Join authors Crystal Maldonado (The Fall of Whit Rivera), Camille Gomera-Tavarez (The Girl, the Ring, & the Baseball Bat), Daniel Aleman (Brighter Than the Sun) and Karla Valenti (Esperanza Caramelo) as they play two truths and lie and dispel some of the most insidious myths about the writing process and how they created their latest tales. This event is sponsored by the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI).

Join award-winning authors Vincent Tirado (Burn Down, Rise Up), Sonora Reyes (The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School), and moderator David Valdes (Brighter Than the Moon) as they discuss the inspirations for their award-winning novels, their killer characters, the writing process and more.

Alone in the night, no cell service, a house you know to be haunted is your only safety. Do you dare enter? Join us as we pull scenarios from authors Diana Rodriguez Wallach (Hatchet Girls), Alex Crespo (Saint Juniper's Folly), Adrianna Cuevas (Ghosts of Rancho Espanto), and Ann Dávila Cardinal (Break Up From Hell)'s fantasy, horror, and thriller worlds to see if their own writers would survive! Featuring on-screen prompts and live voting from the audience.