Tween readers and children’s creators gathered at J. Frank Dobie High School in Houston, Tex., on October 26 for the 14th annual Tweens Read Book Festival. The festival, a partnership with local bookstore Blue Willow Bookshop, celebrates literature for tweens with a day of panels, activities, and book signings. We’ve rounded up the highlights here.
Kwame Mbalia delivers his keynote address to kick off the festival.
Rex Ogle speaks on a panel.
(From l.): Robin Benway, Claribel A. Ortega, and Jessica Kim on the “In the Real World” panel.
George O’Connor giving a drawing demonstration for guests during the “Middle Grade Marvels” panel.
Crystal Allen (l.) and Adrianna Cuevas during the “Why We Write” panel.
“Middle Grade Marvels” panelist Tony Weaver Jr. speaks to attendees.
Lynne Kelly with a reader during her book signing.
Cynthia Leitich Smith meets a fan.
Rajani LaRocca greets a young reader.
Lindsay Currie takes a photo with a fan.
Lisa McMann speaks with guests during a book signing.
Lora Senf hugs a fan.
The Tweens Read 2024 featured authors celebrate a successful event. (Back row, from l.): Kwame Mbalia, Lora Senf, Lindsay Currie, Pablo Cartaya, Scott Reintgen, Mark Oshiro, Matt McMann, Robin Benway, Lisa McMann, and Rex Ogle; (center, from l.) Lynne Kelly, Jessica Kim, Rajani LaRocca, Adrianna Cuevas, Karen Strong, Claribel A. Ortega, Crystal Allen, and Cynthia Leitich Smith; (front, from l.) Leah Stecher, Tony Weaver Jr., Emma Steinkellner, and George O’Connor.
