The National Book Festival, now in its 16th year, was held Saturday, September 24, at the Washington Convention Center in Washington, D.C. The event included speakers and sessions that featuring many favorite authors for children and teens, including Katherine Paterson, Kwame Alexander, Sophie Blackall, Jerry Pinkney, Melissa Sweet, Lois Lowry, Raina Telgemeier, Tonya Bolden, Aaron Becker, Meg Medina, Jacqueline Woodson, Kate Beaton, and many others. See our selection of photos from the day’s festivities.
(From l.): Sharon Robinson (The Hero Two Doors Down), new Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden, and Pam Muñoz Ryan (Echo).
Ken Burns, author of Grover Cleveland, Again!, meets a group of Girl Scouts after his stage presentation.
(From l.): Newbery authors Katherine Paterson, Lois Lowry, and Pam Muñoz Ryan (Echo).
Juana Medina sketches Juana and Lucas from her debut series for a crowd.
Andrew Keenan-Bolger and Kate Wetherhead, authors of Jack & Louisa (Grosset & Dunlap), with sixth-grader Rachel Smookler, who was the grand prize winner of the festival's summer writing contest.
Betsy Lewin (l.) and Doreen Cronin.
Gene LuenYang (l.) and Stephen King.
(From l.): author buddies Shannon Hale, Raina Telgemeier, and Jo Knowles.
Noelle Stevenson greets a fan.
Raymond Arroyo signs a young fan’s copy of Will Wilder: The Relic of Perilous Falls.
Four sisters, all big Raina Telgemeier fans, proudly hold up their signed copies. Photo: Stephanie Howell.
