Dozens of writers will gather virtually for ABA’s debut Snow Days. Here is a selection of children's book authors to meet, from large houses and small.
Picture Books
Minh Lê
The Blur (Knopf, May 3; $18.99; illustrated by Dan Santat; ages 3–7)
Why the buzz: “I am forever in awe of how Minh Lê brings multiple meanings to a word, drawing out an emotional response with deceptively simple lines. As a parent of a toddler, I’m living The Blur, and I know between Minh’s energetic text and the warm relationships Dan Santat creates on the page, every family will finish reading this book and immediately enjoy a hug. I’m especially happy Asian American readers will see themselves reflected here.”—Rotem Moscovich, editorial director, Knopf BFYR
Opening: “From the beginning, there was something different about this child.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Adrea Theodore
A History of Me (Holiday House/Porter, out now; $18.99; illustrated by Erin K. Robinson; 50,000-copy announced first printing; ages 4–8)
Why the buzz: “Life can be hard for the only brown girl in a classroom full of white students. Inspired by her daughter’s experience as well as her own, pediatrician and debut author Adrea Theodore’s impactful picture book A History of Me encourages readers to remember the multidimensionality of the Black experience.”—Michelle Montague, executive director, marketing, Holiday House
Opening: “I was the only brown person in class.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Middle Grade
Dhonielle Clayton
The Marvellers (Holt, May 3; $16.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing; ages 8–12)
Why the buzz: “My excitement for The Marvellers knows no bounds, and beyond the amazing cast of characters, sky-high stakes, and the joy and poignancy on the page, I couldn’t be more enamored with the magical world Dhonielle has created, which is dazzling and expansive, respectfully infused with cultural influences from around the world. Like many readers, Dhonielle never saw herself in the halls of magic school books growing up, and I think it’s so wonderful and important that she’s created a world where all kids are welcome to explore what is magical about them and go to a place where that is celebrated.”—Brian Geffen, senior editor, Henry Holt BFYR
Opening: “The ride to Stardust Pier felt like a lightning flash.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Erin Soderberg Downing
The Great Peach Experiment 2: The Peach Pit (Pixel+Ink, Apr. 5; $17.99; 30,000-copy announced first printing; ages 8–12)
Why the buzz: “The Peach family is back! Both readers who went along for the ride in The Great Peach Experiment 1: When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Peach Pie and those new to the series will adore the family’s latest hijinks. Erin Soderberg Downing has once again proven her keen understanding of what makes a successful and entertaining middle grade series. [em]The Great Peach Experiment 2:
The Peach Pit[/em] is a real treat.”—Michelle Montague, executive director, marketing, Holiday House
Opening: “Herb Peach was pretty sure his Great Aunt Lucinda’s house was haunted.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Marti Dumas
Wildseed Witch (Amulet, May 10; $18.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing; ages 10–14)
Why the buzz: “I can’t wait for readers to get to know Hasani, star of Marti Dumas’s new series Wildseed Witch. Hasani is a witch and a YouTuber and a really good friend, among many other things. Marti brings Hasani’s world to life just like Hasani makes the flowers grow. This book is full of magic and family and history (plus makeup and kittens)—it’s irresistible! And there’s more adventures with Hasani to come.”—Maggie Lehrman, editorial director, fiction, Abrams
Opening: “The first time I did magic was the third day of summer vacation.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Adam Rubin
The Ice Cream Machine (Putnam, out now; $17.99; illustrated by Emily Hughes et al.; 75,000-copy announced first printing; ages 8–12)
Why the buzz: “It is so rare to work on a book that is completely unlike any other, a true one-of-a-kind, and it has been an utter delight to help Adam realize his unique vision for this collection—six stories set in six different worlds, brought to life by six different illustrators. Each story is funny and smart, quirky and subversive. There’s truly something here for everyone—including sci-fi, fantasy, contemporary—all with loads of kid-friendly humor, of course.”
—Stephanie Pitts, senior editor, G.P. Putnam’s Sons BFYR
Opening: “Howdy! It’s me, Adam. I wrote this book. Well, technically, I typed this book into a laptop, but all the same, here we are now, you and I together, on this very word.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
YA
Elizabeth Acevedo
Inheritance: A Visual Poem (Quill Tree, May 3; $16.99; illustrated by Andrea Pippins; ages 13–up)
Why the buzz: “My introduction to Elizabeth Acevedo was a video of her performing her poem ‘Inheritance.’ I was utterly and immediately bowled over by the poem and the power of Elizabeth’s performance. After publishing three groundbreaking and award-winning YA novels by Elizabeth, now we are offering a full-color, illustrated edition of this poem, gorgeously illustrated by Andrea Pippins. It’s perfect for sharing, and perfect for instilling pride and wonder in readers.”
—Rosemary Brosnan, v-p and publisher, Quill Tree and Heartdrum
Opening: “Some people tell me to ‘fix’ my hair. And by fix, they mean straighten; they mean whiten.”
Poetry Interlude, Mar. 8, 11–11:05 a.m. ET
Anna Gracia
Boys I Know (Peachtree Teen, July 5; $17.99; 25,000-copy announced first printing; ages 14–up)
Why the buzz: “With Boys I Know, debut author Anna Gracia has crafted an outstanding coming-of-age novel. Dubbed in-house as an anti-rom-com, the book is a bitingly funny and much-needed look into the overlap of Asian American identity and teen sexuality. This is a book readers will fly through!”
—Michelle Montague, executive director, marketing, Holiday House
Opening: “ ‘Aiya. You go to school all day looking like jì nüˇ? Go change.’ ”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Jas Hammonds
We Deserve Monuments (Roaring Brook, Nov. 29; $16.99; 75,000-copy announced first printing; ages 14–up)
Why the buzz: “When I read We Deserve Monuments for the very first time, I remember sitting straight up in my seat and looking around for someone to talk to about it with. Jas Hammonds’s powerful debut has beautifully rendered characters, a tender queer romance, and steadily unraveling family secrets. This is one of those books you share, you talk about, and you happily let live rent-free in your head.”
—Mekisha Telfer, editor, Roaring Brook
Opening: “Ten. That’s how many bullet holes I counted puncturing the rusted brown Bardell County highway sign.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Alicia Keys
Girl on Fire (HarperAlley, Mar. 1; $19.99; cowritten by Andrew Weiner, illustrated by Brittney Williams; ages 14–up)
Why the buzz: “Alicia Keys is one of the greatest artists of our time. I’m so thrilled that she’s found a way to translate one of the best-loved songs of her career, ‘Girl on Fire,’ into her first-ever young adult graphic novel. I believe this tale of how one young woman managed to find her powers will inspire readers to uncover their own hidden strengths and fight for what they know is right.”—David Linker, executive editor, HarperCollins Children’s Books
Opening: “This is Loretta Wright. Most people call her Lolo. She won’t turn 15 for another two months, but she’s already in the 10th grade.”
In conversation with Donya Craddock of Dock Bookshop in Fort Worth, Tex., Mar. 10, 1:05–2 p.m. ET
E. Lockhart
Family of Liars (Delacorte, May 3; $19.99; 500,000-copy announced first printing; ages 12–up)
Why the buzz: “When E. Lockhart told me she was returning to Beechwood Island and writing about the Sinclair family, I was overjoyed. You do not have to have read We Were Liars to appreciate this new novel, set more than 27 years earlier. A complex story full of intense summer friendships, fraught romance, and unspeakable truths (and lies). As the flawed lives of an earlier generation of Sinclairs are explored, readers will discover unexpected twists and shocking surprises.”—Beverly Horowitz, senior v-p and publisher, Delacorte
Opening: “I have been a liar all of my life, you see. It’s not uncommon in my family.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Amber McBride
Me (Moth) (Feiwel and Friends, out now; $18.99; ages 12–17)
Why the buzz: “To finish reading Me (Moth) is to feel shocked and moved in equal parts, and ready to pore through the pages all over again. Amber McBride is a true artist, and her story helped me better understand the complexities of my own grief and healing. Forever thankful that this book exists, I’m excited for more and more readers to discover it.”—Kelsey Marrujo, publicity manager, Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group
Opening: “Call Me (Moth)/I’ve thought about changing my name./Especially now/with no one to really mind./Given or replaced, names hang to your bones like forever suits.”
Poets Take the Stage!, Mar. 9, 10–11 a.m. ET, repeated 6:35–7:35 p.m. ET
Poetry Interlude, Mar. 10, 11–11:05 a.m. ET
Marika McCoola
Slip (Algonquin, June 7; $22.95, $16.95 paper; illustrated by Aatmaja Pandya; ages 14–18)
Why the buzz: “There is so much to love about this book, from sweet, swoony queer romance to honest portrayals of the creative process, to the magic that brings the world and story to life, but what I love the most about Slip is the universal story at its center: that of a young woman struggling to balance her love for her best friend with her love for herself and learning to thrive despite it all.”—Sarah Alpert, editor, Algonquin Young Readers
Opening: “Hello?/ It’s me./ Phoebe! When are we meeting? What’s up?/ Nothing. I just can’t./Why? Phoebe, what happened?/ I’m in the hospital.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
Crystal Maldonado
No Filter and Other Lies (Holiday House; out now; $18.99; 100,000-copy announced first printing; ages 14–up)
Why the buzz: “Last year, Crystal Maldonado burst onto the YA scene with her much-loved debut novel, Fat Chance, Charlie Vega. Already receiving critical and commercial acclaim, her next novel, No Filter and Other Lies, is a timely and honest look at the effects of social media. Inspired by elements of Crystal’s own life, this poignant exploration of complex racial dynamics, painful family secrets, coming out, and living for ‘the gram’ is sure to have readers hitting ‘like.’ ”—Michelle Montague, executive director, marketing, Holiday House
Opening: “You should know, right now, that I’m a liar.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Jodi Meadows
Nightrender (Holiday House, out now; $19.99; 50,000-copy announced first printing; ages 14–up)
Why the buzz: “Bestselling author Jodi Meadows has made a name for herself building complex worlds that draw readers in from the first page. Holiday House is thrilled to be publishing her latest duology—the Salvation Cycle. Kingdoms will fall, gods will die, and hearts will be broken in this thrilling YA fantasy. Kicking off with Nightrender, readers will find themselves immersed in a story that will have them on the edge of their seats for the follow-up.”—Michelle Montague, executive director, marketing, Holiday House
Opening: “This is the world: A continent called Salvation, three kingdoms, and a war so old that no one has any idea what it’s about.”
Author reception, Mar. 10, 3–4 p.m. ET
Eric Smith
Jagged Little Pill: The Novel (Amulet, Apr. 26; $19.99;
cowritten by Alanis Morissette, Diablo Cody, and Glen Ballard; 100,000-copy announced first printing; ages 14–up)
Why the buzz: “I am so thrilled to be working with Eric and the musical’s creative team to adapt the Tony-winning musical Jagged Little Pill into a whole new form, one that focuses on the teen characters and gives them even more space to explore their stories. Eric, Alanis, Diablo, and Glen worked hard to make a book that feels both true to the material and an original work that stands on its own, a perfect read for YA fans.”
—Maggie Lehrman, editorial director, fiction, Abrams
Opening: “I step out of my room and groan at the smell of pancakes.”
Author reception, Mar. 9, 12:30–1:30 p.m. ET
