This year’s theme is Our Voice, Our Time. Often thought of as quiet places, libraries are in fact hotbeds of passionate communication, dialogue, and activity. They continue to be a vital part of a community, at a time when community is as important as it is difficult to grasp.

This year, many teens will vote for the first time, and even the youngest have powerful perspectives worth sharing. As many miss out on common milestones such as prom, graduation, and campus visits, it’s especially important to listen to their needs.

Meanwhile, educators and librarians have adapted to unprecedented demands, and #OwnVoices creators increasingly share stories that have long been silenced.

The conference’s author panels and library programming sessions will help you support and engage teens during this complex moment and beyond. Take a look at our packed program below!

Program

9:00 – 10:00 AM ET | Explore the Exhibits

10:00 – 10:50 AM ET | Opening Keynote

From award-winning, bestselling author Ibi Zoboi and prison reform activist Yusef Salaam of the Exonerated Five comes a powerful YA novel in verse about a boy who is wrongfully incarcerated.

Presented by: Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam, Authors, Punching the Air (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray)

Moderated by: Kristin Anderson, Jackson County Library (OR)

11:00 AM – 12:00 PM ET | Two YA Panels Running Concurrently
Reclaiming the American Experience
There is no singular American story, but rather a multitude of unique identities and experiences. These authors will discuss how—in poetry, humor, fantasy, realism, and historical fiction, with characters who are immigrants or the children of immigrants—they craft stories that disrupt traditional narratives.

Romina Garber, Lobizona (St. Martin’s/Wednesday)
Candice Iloh, Every Body Looking (Dutton)
Malinda Lo, Last Night at the Telegraph Club (Dutton, 2021)
Syed M. Masood, More Than Just a Pretty Face (Little, Brown)
Ben Phillipe, Charming As a Verb (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray)
Jenny Torres Sanchez, We Are Not >From Here (Philomel)
Moderated by: Adi Alsaid, Editor/Contributor, Come On In (Inkyard)

Acting Up
YA books have long been about finding your voice and fighting for what’s right, and real teens around the world are advocating for change in their communities and beyond. These authors will discuss their books—both fiction and nonfiction—about taking a stand.

Veronica Chambers, Finish the Fight (HMH)
Adam Eli, The New Queer Conscience (Penguin Workshop)
Xiuhtezcatl Martinez, Imaginary Borders (Penguin Workshop)
Darcy Van Poelgeest, Little Bird: The Fight for Elder’s Hope (Image)
Liza M. Wiemer, The Assignment (Delacorte)
Moderated by: Mahnaz Dar, Graphic Novels Editor, SLJ
 

12:00 – 12:30 PM ET | Break, Explore the Exhibits
 

12:30 – 1:20 PM ET | Lunch Speaker
In today’s complex media environment, it’s essential that students learn how to identify the source of information, verify it, and analyze how it was designed to make them feel, according to news and information literacy experts. This speaker will discuss misinformation and basic digital verification skills.

Peter Adams, Senior Vice President of Education, News Literacy Project
Moderated by: Sarah Bayliss, News & Features Editor, SLJ
 

1:30 – 2:30 PM ET | Two YA Panels Running Concurrently
Rethinking, Retelling
Well-known stories are ripe for reimagining, and established characters always have more to say. These speakers will discuss putting a new spin on fairy tales, classics, and myths to create stories that feel entirely fresh.

Kalynn Bayron, Cinderella is Dead (Bloomsbury)
Jennifer Donnelly, Poisoned (Scholastic)
Lilliam Rivera, Never Look Back (Bloomsbury)
J. Scott Savage, The Lost Wonderland Diaries (Shadow Mountain)
Erik Ko, Editor in Chief of Manga Classics / Anne of Green Gables (Diamond)
Moderated by: Kimberly Fakih, Picture Book Editor, SLJ

BeTween: Books for Young Teens
YA fiction is not one-size-fits-all. The themes, prose, and characters of some books are sometimes too advanced for middle and early high school readers. Still, it’s possible to find the perfect book for tweens and young teens. These authors will discuss their books are a good match for readers in that in-between space.

Mike Curato, Flamer (Holt)
Melisa De La Cruz, Never After: The Thirteenth Fairy (Roaring Brook) 
Jarad Greene, Scullion: A Dishwasher's Guide to Mistaken Identity (Oni)
Amparo Ortiz, Blazewrath Games (Page Street)
Annet Schaap, Of Salt and Shore (Charlesbridge)
Moderated by: Katy Hershberger, YA Editor, SLJ
 

2:30 – 2:50 PM ET | Break, Explore the Exhibits
 

2:50 – 3:50 PM ET | Two Teen Services/Programming Presentations Running  Concurrently
Virtual Events
As schools and libraries closed around the country, librarians have had to figure out how to adapt their events programming without a physical space, which presents both opportunities and challenges, including the possibility of online abuse. These speakers will discuss how they’ve hosted engaging virtual events, and how to maintain the safety of both presenters and attendees.

Jillian Ehlers, School Librarian, Metropolitan Expeditionary Learning School (NY)
Damla Bek, Young Adult Librarian, Brooklyn Public Library, Mill Basin (NY)
Kelly Yang, Author, Parachutes (Scholastic)
Moderated by: Regina Townsend, Young Adult Services Manager, Forest Park Public Library (IL)

A Space for All
Whether in person or virtually, the library must be a welcoming place for all patrons. These speakers will discuss creating a safe and accessible space for Black and Latinx teens and people with disabilities, in our virtual world and beyond.

Maisy Card, Teen Services Librarian, Newark Public Library (NJ)
Sandy Ho, Research Associate, The Lurie Institute for Disability Policy
Moderated by: Janet Rene Damon, MLIS, Ed.S, Library Services Specialist, Denver Public Schools (CO)
 

4:00 – 5:00 PM ET | Closing Keynote Conversation
While systemic racism and an unequal justice system have long existed in the U.S., the events of this summer have thrown these truths into even sharper relief. Black teens face this reality daily, and every young person is affected by these issues in our world. These authors will discuss writing fictional stories about social justice that are all too real.

Kim Johnson, This is My America (Random)
Maika and Maritza Moulite, One of the Good Ones (Inkyard, 2021)
Christina Hammonds Reed, The Black Kids (S. & S.)
Nic Stone, Dear Justyce (Crown)
Moderated by: Desiree Thomas, Worthington Library (OH)

Sponsors

We are anticipating an unprecedented number of library professionals to attend this year's SLJteen Live!, so you may find the environment or live sessions become full during the day.

But fear not! All sessions and author chats will be available for viewing on-demand within an hour of the initial broadcast, and the entire event will be available on-demand for three months.

If you have any questions, email us at ljevents@mediasourceinc.com.

If you are a service provider or publisher and would like to sponsor the event, please contact Advertising Director Roy Futterman.