What makes a great novel-in-verse? How does someone, equally author and poet, construct a single storyline solely through the use of poetry?

To answer these questions and discuss their own gorgeous work, Andrea Beatriz Arango brings together fellow poets and novels-in-verse writers Margarita Engle, Terry Catasús Jennings, Alessandra Narváez Varela, and Edd Tello.

New York Times bestselling author, Adam Silvera explores the complicated and multi-layered facets of identity and the role that his ancestry and cultural heritage play in his life and his writing. Adam will be in conversation with debut YA author Aaron Aceves.

Adam Silvera is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Infinity Reaper, Infinity Son, They Both Die at the End, More Happy Than Not, History Is All You Left Me, and—with Becky Albertalli—What If It's Us and Here’s to Us.

Aaron H. Aceves is a bisexual, Mexican-American writer born and raised in East L.A. He graduated from Harvard College and received his MFA from Columbia University. His debut novel, This Is Why They Hate Us, releases in 2022.

Join Pura Belpré Award winning authors and illustrators Duncan Tonatiuh and Eric Velasquez as they discuss the transformative power that illustration has to make un cuento come to life, whether they're working with an author's words or their own. Learn the different ways that both illustrators use the text to create subtext and layers of meaning in their artwork, to bring the fullest expression to the narrative.

Moderated by Monica Mancillas.

Join Newbery and Pura Belpré award-winning author Donna Barba Higuera as she discusses the power of oral history and storytelling.

Across communities family history is carried from generation to generation, across space, and time. Storytelling remains a familiar and ancestral way to guide us toward the future, while carrying the past with us. We are all cuentistas!

This panel will be moderated by debut author Alyssa Reynoso-Morris.

Come on an extraordinary journey to explore the many worlds of middle grade fantasy! From musas to brujas, to time traveling pirates and life and death adventures, these stories will lure you in and never let go. With Olivia Abtahi (PERFECTLY PARVIN/ROSTRAM AND THE RED DWARF), Carlos Hernandez (SAL & GABI FIX THE UNIVERSE), Victor Piñeiro (TIME VILLAINS), and Kaela Rivera (CECE RIOS AND THE DESERT OF SOULS). Moderated by Chantel Acevedo (MUSE SQUAD).

Edited by The Bronx Is Reading founder Saraciea J. Fennell, Wild Tongues Can’t Be Tamed is a groundbreaking anthology highlighting different myths and stereotypes about the Latinx diaspora.

Wild Tongues is full of sorrow and joy, speculative stories, and homespun tales. Fennell joins contributors Natasha Diaz, Jasminne Mendez, Lilliam Rivera, and Mark Oshiro for a dialogue on their stories, experiences, and what it is to be “Latine.”

Kids love a character who makes them laugh! Meet authors whose books not only inspire, but entertain. Join our middle grade authors as they reveal how they tickle readers’ funny bones, discuss the power of humor to connect people, and explore how having fun goes with finding your power. With Terry Catasús Jennings (ALL FOR ONE), Adrianna Cuevas (THE TOTAL ECLIPSE OF NESTOR LOPEZ), Donna Barba Higuera (LUPE WONG WON’T DANCE), and Nina Moreno (JOIN THE CLUB, MAGGIE DIAZ) Moderated by Loriel Ryon.

Whether we’re whisked away to a new world or a reimagined one, fantasy readers everywhere love stories with unique heroes, magical creatures and set in far away places. Join authors Francesca Flores (SHADOW CITY), Romina Garber (CAZADORA), Maya Motayne (OCULTA), Laura Pohl (THE GRIMROSE GIRLS) and Aiden Thomas (LOST IN THE NEVER WOODS) as they discuss writing fantastical stories and tropes and how the Latinx point of view shapes their storytelling and their protagonists journeys. Moderated by Amparo Ortiz (DRAGONBLOOD RING).

From meet cutes to insta-love to “here the whole time,” nothing presents such a delicious selection of addictive tropes like love stories. These unforgettable protagonists try to get the attention of their crush, steal a first kiss, or fall for their rivals. With Aaron H. Aceves (THIS IS WHY THEY HATE US), Emery Lee (MEET CUTE DIARY), Gabriela Martins (LIKE A LOVE SONG), and Raquel Vasquez Gilliland (HOW MOON FUENTEZ FELL IN LOVE WITH THE UNIVERSE). Moderated by e.E. Charlton-Trujillo (FAT ANGIE SERIES).

Are you a book lover? Did you know that there are many ways you can turn that love of story and books into a career besides being an author or illustrator? Join Penguin Random House associate publisher, Nancy Mercado, Andrea Brown Literary Agency agent, Saritza Hernandez, publicists Tiffany Gonzalez Marketing & Publicity Coordinator at Astra Publishing House and TXLA librarian and book blogger, Margarita Longoria. Moderated by award-winning author Anika Fajardo.