The Tweens Read festival returned to Pasadena Dobie High School in Pasadena, Tex., on October 21 for a celebration of middle grade books and authors. The event brought together more than 800 attendees, most of them tween readers. Caldecott Medalist Dan Santat delivered the opening keynote, followed by author panels throughout the day. Valerie Koeher, owner of Blue Willow Bookshop, which co-sponsors the annual festival, told PW, “The joy of middle grade readers connecting with their favorite authors and discovering new ones inspired all of the adults involved.” Cathy Berner, Blue Willow’s event coordinator and programming director for the festival, added, “Tweens Read would not happen without the incredible work of educators throughout the greater Houston area, Pasadena ISD, and the support of all of the publishers who sent authors our way. We’re so grateful for all who support the festival!” We’ve gathered a selection of photos from the celebration. Credit: Two Cats Communications.
Keynote speaker Dan Santat, whose graphic novel memoir A First Time for Everything is a National Book Award finalist.
The Tweens Read authors gathered for their class photo. (Front row, from l.): Stacy McAnulty, Chan Chau, Roseanne A. Brown, Maura Jortner, Kelly J. Baptist, Stephanie Yue, Terry J. Benton-Walker, Colleen AF Venable, (back row, from l.) Julie Murphy, Morgan Matson, Matt Tavares, Max Brallier, Minh Lê, Pedro Martin, Alex London, Laini Taylor, Jim DiBartolo, Dan Santat, Jorge Cham, Gordon Korman, Jamie Sumner, and Jewell Parker Rhodes.
Author-illustrators Chan Chau (l.) and Minh Lê discussed their creative processes in the “Picture This” panel.
Julie Murphy during the “It’s the Truth” session. The author recently made her first foray into the picture book form with Chubby Bunny.
Alex London and Rosanne A. Brown discussing why “Kids Rule the World.” The panel also featured Gordon Korman and Angela Cervantes.
A view of the crowd during the “Kids Rule the World” panel.
Kelly J. Baptist answers a question during the "Bees Knees" panel.
The “More Than Words” session featured Colleen AF Venable (l.) and Stephanie Yue, creators of the Katie the Catsitter series of graphic novels.
Married collaborators Laini Taylor and Jim Di Bartolo discussed their new middle grade graphic novel, Billie Blaster and the Robot Army from Outer Space.
