Miami, Oct. 18, 2024 – Miami Dade College’s (MDC) Miami Book Fair, Nov. 17 – 24, will showcase an impressive array of children and young adult literature, featuring both beloved authors and exciting new voices. This year’s programming offers young readers and their families the opportunity to engage with some of the most compelling storytellers in contemporary children’s and young adult literature. Most events are free with Street Fair admission.
Children and young adult events include:
Saturday, Nov. 23
Stacey Abrams on Stacey Speaks Up
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 11 a.m. | Building 3, Second Floor, Room 3210 – Chapman
Stacey Abrams presents the third book in the no. 1 New York Times bestselling and NAACP Image Award-winning picture book series. Stacey Speaks Up tells an inspiring story about community activism and making a difference, even as a child. Abrams will appear in conversation with Meg Medina, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
Edel Rodriguez on The Mango Tree (La mata del mango)
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 12 p.m. | Children’s Alley: Stanza’s Story Wagon
Cuban American artist Edel Rodriguez presents his wordless picture book that beautifully captures the immigrant experience through the story of two boys and their adventures in a mango tree.
Standing On The Shoulders Of Ancestors: Middle Grade Adventures
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 12 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
Join authors Ruth Behar, Gayle Forman, and Cynthia Leitich Smith for a discussion of their latest middle-grade novels that explore themes of family history, unlikely friendships, and cultural heritage. Moderated by Kimberly White.
Kwame Alexander and Randy Preston: How to Sing A Song and Black Star: A Conversation
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. | Children’s Alley: Stanza’s Story Wagon
Newbery Medalist Kwame Alexander speaks with musician Randy Preston about Alexander’s two new books: How to Sing A Song, a picture book co-authored with Preston about finding your voice, and Black Star, the second installment in Alexander’s middle-grade series The Door of No Return.
Old Roots and New Stems: Growing into a Young Adult
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 1 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
Authors Nadine Pinede, Samuel Teer, Mar Julia, and Juan Vidal discuss their young adult novels that explore themes of identity, resilience, and coming-of-age in diverse cultural contexts. Moderated by Dr. Precious Symonette.
Meg Medina: No More Señora Mimí
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. | Children’s Alley: Stanza’s Story Wagon
Meg Medina, Newbery Medalist and National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, presents her heartwarming picture book about the special bonds between children and their caretakers.
Rachel Renée Russell and Nikki Russell: Dork Diaries 16
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 2 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
The mother-daughter writing duo discusses the latest installment in their bestselling Dork Diaries series, featuring new adventures and mishaps for beloved character Nikki Maxwell.
Illustrator Draw-Off
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. | Children’s Alley
Watch talented illustrators compete in a live drawing challenge! Featuring children’s graphic novelists Jerry Craft, John Hendrix, and Edel Rodriguez. Hosted by George O’Connor.
Champions and Comebacks: A Chat with Yamile Saied Méndez and Justin A. Reynolds
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
Authors Yamile Saied Méndez and Justin A. Reynolds discuss their latest middle-grade novels that explore themes of sports, self-confidence, and overcoming challenges. Moderated by Jim Fried.
Grammy Award Winner Lucky Diaz on La Guitarrista
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 3:30 p.m. | Children’s Alley: Participate Stage
Join Grammy and Emmy Award-winning musician Lucky Diaz for a lively presentation of his picture book celebrating music and creativity.
Death Is Just Another Obstacle: Young Adult Fantasy
Saturday, Nov. 23, at 4 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
Authors S.K. Ali, Susan Dennard, Darcie Little Badger, and R. M. Romero discuss their latest young adult fantasy novels, exploring themes of love, loyalty, and confronting the supernatural.
Sunday, Nov. 24
Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson: A Conversation: Middle-Grade Fiction
Sunday, Nov. 24, at 10 a.m. | Building 1, Second Floor, Room 1261 – Auditorium
Bestselling authors Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson reunite to discuss their latest projects, including Peter and the Starcatchers and Kingdom Keepers: Inheritance #2: Villains’ Realm.
Laura Drosdowech on Magical Miami
Sunday, Nov. 24, at 12 p.m. | Children’s Alley: Stanza’s Story Wagon
Author Laura Drosdowech presents her picture book that takes young readers on a bilingual adventure through Miami’s most iconic neighborhoods.
Myths & Mysteries: Peering into Graphic Novels
Sunday, Nov. 24, at 12 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
Graphic novelists Robin Ha, George O’Connor, Molly Knox Ostertag, and uru-chan discuss their latest works, which reimagine myths and explore mysterious worlds. Moderated by Armando Mendive.
Susan Rose and Silvia Lopez on José and Feliz Play Fútbol
Sunday, Nov. 24, at 1:00 p.m. | Children’s Alley: Stanza’s Story Wagon
Broadway producer Susan Rose and author Silvia Lopez present their charming bilingual picture book about a boy and his dog navigating the world of soccer.
Fantasy Feminomenon: Middle Grade Fiction
Sunday, Nov. 24, at 1 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
Authors B. B. Alston, Ryan Graudin, Brandon Hoàng, and Mark Oshiro discuss their latest middle-grade fantasy novels featuring young protagonists facing extraordinary challenges. Moderated by Safon Floyd.
Illustrator Draw-Off
Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. | Children’s Alley
Join illustrators Robin Ha and uru-chan for another exciting live drawing competition. Hosted by George O’Connor.
Sugar, Spice, and the Not-So-Nice: Young Adult Rom-Coms
Sunday, Nov. 24, at 2 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
Authors Alexis Castellanos, Laura Taylor Namey, Michael Ruhlman, and Jonny Garza Villa discuss their young adult romantic comedies set against diverse cultural backgrounds. Moderated by Flo Simmons.
Not All Those Who Wander Are Lost: Middle Grade Graphic Novels
Sunday, Nov. 24, at 3 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
Graphic novelists Johnnie Christmas, John Hendrix, and Molly Knox Ostertag discuss their latest works that explore themes of friendship, fantasy, and self-discovery. Moderated by Daniel Jones.
Blood, Iron, and Fire: Young Adult Fantasy Authors on Struggle, Secrets, and Family
Sunday, Nov. 24, at 4 p.m. | Building 1, First Floor, The Art Lab
Authors Tomi Adeyemi, Alex Aster, Romina Garber, and LaDarrion Williams discuss their latest young adult fantasy novels, delving into themes of power, identity, and family secrets. Moderated by Aurora Dominguez.
About Miami Book Fair
Founded in 1984 by Miami Dade College and partners, Miami Book Fair engages the community through inclusive, accessible programs that promote reading and support writers year-round. The annual eight-day festival has grown into the largest and most comprehensive community-rooted literary gathering in the United States, generating discourse on contemporary literature and current issues of international importance. Throughout the rest of the year, Miami Book Fair hosts an ongoing schedule of activities, including The Little Haiti Book Festival; creative writing and publishing workshops; author presentations; reading campaigns; and Books for Free, a partnership with The Children’s Trust that distributes more than 150,000 free books a year to children in Miami-Dade County. Miami Book Fair programming is made possible through generous support from the State of Florida and the National Endowment for the Arts; City of Miami; Miami-Dade County Department of Cultural Affairs and the Cultural Affairs Council; Miami-Dade County Mayor and Board of County Commissioners; Miami-Dade County Public Schools; Greater Miami Convention and Visitors Bureau; Miami Downtown Development Authority; and Friends of the Fair; as well as many corporate partners. Miami Book Fair: Building community, one reader at a time. Follow the Miami Book Fair on social media @miamibookfair #miamireads.
Miami Book Fair contact: Lisa B. Palley, Palley Promotes, 305-761-1339, lpalley@bellsouth.net.