The 10th annual North Texas Teen Book Festival took place in Irving, Tex., on April 27, drawing 15,500 middle grade and YA book lovers. In addition, 865 teachers attended the Educator Day on April 26 for a slate of professional development programming and a chance to connect with creators. The main festival featured 76 authors, including kid favorites such as Jeff Kinney, R.L. Stine, Tui T. Sutherland, and Raina Telgemeier. We’ve gathered highlights from the celebration. All photos by Joon Koo at SJKoo Photography, unless otherwise noted.
And they’re off! As the door opened for the day, excited readers entered the Irving Convention Center on their way to attend featured keynotes and author panels, and visit publisher booths.
NTTBF co-founder Dr. Rose Brock chats with keynote author Tui T. Sutherland during the Middle Grade opening program.
The “Danger Zone” panel focused on action and adventure, featuring authors (from l.) Laurie Halse Anderson, Max Brallier, James Ponti, Judd Winick, and Lisa Yee.
Young fans delighted in the opportunity to meet and pose for a picture with spooky storyteller and literary icon R.L. Stine.
During the “Black Joy, Black Heroes” panel, authors (from l.) Shawn Amos, J. Elle, Saraciea J. Fennell, Kwame Mbalia, Angie Thomas, and moderator Sara Roberts shared stories of monsters, myths, and music.
Readers show off their book haul. Photo: Paige Marie Photography.
Discussing YA fantasy series from start to finish on the “All the Fantasy” panel with authors (from l.) Victoria Aveyard, Alexandra Bracken, J. Elle, Namina Forna, Ayana Gray, Joan He, and Jodi Meadows.
At the Middle Grade closing keynote, Diary of a Wimpy Kid series author Jeff Kinney plays a round of “Cheesy Trivia” with enthusiastic readers from the audience.
Last Kids on Earth series author Max Brallier poses for a picture with a fan.
During the “Cracking the Code” panel spotlighting puzzle adventures, authors (from l.) Alyson Gerber, Stuart Gibbs, and Margaret Peterson Haddix timed Peter Raymundo as he solved a Rubik’s cube.
A festivalgoer finds a quiet moment to read. Photo: Paige Marie Photography.
Gordon Korman (front, l.), Naz Kutub, and Lindsey Leavitt at the author signing.
Readers learned how to keep your friends close and their enemies closer in the “Trust No One” panel with (from l.) moderator Deb Zeman and authors Victoria Aveyard, Jennifer Lynn Barnes, Saraciea J. Fennell, Namina Forna, E. Lockhart, Katherine McGee, and Karen M. McManus.
Representing “Team Good” and “Team Evil,” authors Morgan Matson (center) and Soman Chainani (r.) engaged in a battle with support from NTTBF attendees during the first “Middle Grade Madness” program. Photo: Paige Marie Photography.
In “Middle Grade Madness: 2.0,” author teammates Shawn Amos, Max Brallier, Julie Buxbaum, Jen Calonita, Soman Chainani, Margaret Peterson Haddix, Sarah Mlynowski, Aida Salazar, Christina Soontornvat, Tui T. Sutherland, and Angie Thomas competed with young readers to win the round of Friendly Feud.
