PopTop Stage Schedule
Visit the PopTop Stage featuring your favorite topics
with readings, discussions, panels and tips.
Saturday, June 22
50 Years of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards: A Live Taping of the Dewey Decibel Podcast
Publisher: American Libraries
Join American Libraries Senior Editor and Dewey Decibel host Phil Morehart for a conversation about the Coretta Scott King Book Awards with past winners and honorees, including author Jason Reynolds, illustrators Ekua Holmes and Christopher Myers, and more. The talk will be taped for a future episode of the Dewey Decibel podcast.
The Tough Stuff: What's Ok in Middle Grade Books?
Publisher: North Star Editions
The tween years are amazing, awkward, and filled with new challenges, big and small. How do we write about these struggles? Is there a line and are there topics that cross it? What's ok? Join authors Melinda Beatty (HEARTSEEKER), Tara Gilboy (UNWRITTEN), Amy Makechnie (THE UNFORGETTABLE GUINEVERE ST. CLAIR), Stacy McAnulty (THE WORLD ENDS IN APRIL), Melissa Sarno (JUST UNDER THE CLOUDS), and Kelly Yang (FRONT DESK) for a frank discussion on writing the tough stuff.
IBPA Presents: The Best Independently Published Books of 2018
Publisher: Independent Book Publishers Association
Elf on the Shelf. Alex's Lemonade Stand. Patagonia Books. All past winners of the Independent Book Publishers Association's (IBPA's) Benjamin Franklin Awards. Come meet a panel of winners of the 31st Annual awards and join us in celebrating excellence in independent book publishing!
WNDB and Random House Present: The Hero Next Door, Stories of Courage and Compassion.
Publisher: Penguin Random House
WNDB and Random House invite you to meet the authors of The Hero Next Door, a new MG anthology filled with stories of bravery and courage by 13 of today's most accomplished MG authors. This collection will remind you that not all heroes wear capes. But they do find their own way to make their world a better place. You might discover the heroes right beside you. And maybe you'll find that...the hero is you.
Don't Be Afraid of Horror
Publisher: Quirk Books
The horror genre contains a huge variety of stories, from the not-so-scary to the truly terrifying. At this panel, authors will discuss the many subgenres found in horror and ways to match readers with their next perfectly scary read.
How Small Presses Improve Literary Representation
Publisher: Interlude Press
Small presses are at the forefront of improving representation of marginalized audiences in literature. Authors C.B. Lee (Sidekick Squad series, Lambda Literary Award finalist), Jude Sierra (Kirkus Reviews annual Best Books list for Idlewild), and Julian Winters (Amazon #1 seller, LGBTQ-YA for Running With Lions) discuss how working with a small press helped them focus on gender, sexual, and racial identity as well as mental illness representation in their novels.
Planning Engaging Storytimes with Wordless Picture Books, featuring illustrator Christian Robinson
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing
With wordless picture books, readers take an active part in bringing each story to life by combining the
visual storytelling techniques & clues provided by the artist with their own words. This PopTop Stage will present ways librarians can effectively use wordless books during storytime. Panelists: Christian Robinson, illustrator of the picture book Another; a children's librarian experienced in hosting storytimes; an editor from S&S.
Poetry Blast 2019
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Poetry should be heard and not just seen. The Poetry Blast, an ALA tradition, is a popular event featuring new and established poets reading their work. Hosted by library consultant Barbara Genco and poet Marilyn Singer, it invites attendees to appreciate the pleasures and variety of poetry for children and young adults. This year's award-winning poets include: Nikki Grimes, Laura Purdie Salas, Laura Shovan, Joyce Sidman, Marilyn Singer and Elizabeth Steinglass.
Program subject to change.
Sunday, June 23
Newbery Honorees Kate DiCamillo, Shannon Hale, and Cece Bell on The Children's Book Podcast
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Three Newbery Honorees and powerful female voices in the children's literature world share the stories behind their successful and upcoming middle grade novels during a live recording of The Children's Book Podcast with educator Matthew Winner.
Fierce! Why We Can't Get Enough Empowering Female Characters in YA
Publisher: North Star Editions
Join authors Kim Chance (KEEPER), M.K. England (THE DISASTERS), Jessica Pennington (WHEN SUMMER ENDS), Lauren Spieller (YOUR DESTINATION IS ON THE LEFT), Annie Sullivan (A TOUCH OF GOLD), Elizabeth Tammi (OUTRUN THE WIND), and Amy Trueblood (NOTHING BUT SKY) for a lively discussion on why readers can't get enough strong female characters across all genres of YA fiction, and why they'll keep bringing it.
Spotlight on Science Fiction and Fantasy
Publisher: Tor/Forge
Popular science fiction and fantasy authors, published by Tor, discuss the newest trends and topical issues that have come to rise within the genre today. Authors include Martha Wells (The Murderbot Diaries), Malka Older (State Tectonics), Sarah Gailey (Magic for Liars), and Arkady Martine (A Memory Called Empire). John Scalzi (The Consuming Fire) will moderate.
#ReadingRainbow: Teaching Kids about Pride and LGBTQ+ History Through Children's Books
Publisher: Magination Press
Magination Press, the Children's Book Imprint of The American Psychological Association, is proud to publish books that promote social-emotional learning in children. Our groundbreaking books, written by professionals in their fields and backed by the APA, provide kid-friendly introductions to LGBTQ+ culture through the history of the rainbow flag and highlighting important figures. This program will be a welcome addition to Pride Month, and will teach librarians ways to incorporate Pride books in their programming.
Bringing History to Life: Fascinating Nonfiction for Middle Grade Readers
Publisher: ABRAMS The Art of Books
Chock-full of intrigue, mystery, character development, cliffhangers, and plot twists, narrative nonfiction is emerging as a popular alternative to fiction. Join authors Tonya Bolden, Don Brown, Nathan Hale and Gayle Pitman as they discuss how they transform their research into an accessible, readable, and enjoyable experience for middle grade readers.
Middle Grade Graphic Novels: New Titles for Growing Readers!
Publisher: The French Comics Association
Middle Grade is a huge growth category for graphic novel publishing, and these books are popular and flexible for younger library patrons. from eager elementary readers, who are growing out of picture books and ready to jump to sophisticated topics, to older reluctant readers who find the appealing style and comfort level bringing them back to books. From historical fiction to fantasy, these creators will showcase a breadth of genres in this popular category!
The Yarn Podcast
Details to Come.
Authors in Conversation: Finding Identity
Publisher: Penguin Random House; Workman; Harlequin; Sourcebooks; HarperCollins
Diversity and inclusion are ongoing priorities across all publishing companies, with the diversity of people, voices, opinions, and ideas being fundamental to the books we publish. Our author lineup will introduce you to the most exciting voices adding to our cultural narratives.
Five authors will participate, with Stephanie Sendaula from Library Journal moderating.
What makes a hero or a villain?
Publisher: DC
Authors Kami Garcia (Teen Titans: Raven), Mariko Tamaki (Harley Quinn: Breaking Glass), and Tom King (Mister Miracle, Heroes in Crisis) discuss writing characters who blur the fine line between good and evil.
Monday, June 24
Hot Science in the News: The Science of You and the Science of Cheating Death
Publisher: National Geographic
Meet the authors of two groundbreaking narratives: Bill Sullivan (Pleased to Meet Me), a witty new voice uses the latest research to describe how genetics, microbiology, and psychology work together to influence our personality and actions. And, science journalist Chip Walter (Immortality, Inc) explores the science of extending the human lifespan, with exclusive visits inside Silicon Valley labs and interviews with the visionaries who believe we will soon crack the aging process and cure death.
How and Why You Should Build Your Own Library Comic Con
Publisher: Manga Classics UDON Entertainment
With the explosive growth of everything related to the comics medium and graphic novels, there is an amazing opportunity to create an event for your library (system) that will bring even more new readers through the doors. Building a library comic con can be as simple as a day of drawing and cosplay or it can become a multi-day festival that includes elements such as animation festivals, maker fair, authors and artists presentations. Where do you begin? What sort of resources are available? Your con can be as small as your reader advisory group or as big as 6,000 fans. It all depends on the goals you have in mind. What are the challenges and benefits of producing your own comic con? This panel of comic con veterans will be happy to share their stories and road maps with you.