Updated March 27, 2012

A Fickle Future: YA Authors Discuss Trend-spotting and Timeless Keys to Literary Success when Facing the Disconnect of the Digital Age

How can books better connect with teen readers? Must we mix both content and flair and can the next big thing be predicted – or created? Authors Selene Castrovilla, Shannon Delany, Beth Fehlbaum, Deborah Heiligman, Ellen Hopkins and Jo Knowles discuss past teen literature trends, their personal experiences, and debate what the future holds for not only the story but also the personal connection we strive to make with readers in a digital age. Presenters:  Selene Castrovilla, Shannon Delany, Beth Fehlbaum, Deborah Heiligman, Ellen Hopkins and Jo Knowles

Classic Literature vs. 21st Century Novels:  Survival of the Fittest

Young Adult literature has many recent titles basking in the glow of huge print runs and stunning popularity.  Yet many adults working with teens insist classic titles well over 50 years old should be dissected by teenagers. So where do the wildly popular novels of the last 15 years fit in?   This program will decide what books will fade away and which ones have staying power to be read by future generations of teen readers. Presenter:  Rollie Welch

Collapsing Boundaries:  Being Hit by Blurred Genres

It doesn’t take a crystal ball to predict that YA literature will continue to change and evolve.  All one has to do is study its history to see that YA literature cannot be contained in a simple definition or consigned to a single place in a library or bookstore.   Recently, though, we have seen an interesting trend:  books that blur the boundaries of traditional genres.   This session will explore this changing landscape of literature and, consequently, literacy.  Presenters:  Teri Lesesne and Rosemary Chance

A Matter of Facts and Fiction: Giving Teens a Research Edge through YA Author Panels

Authors Carolee Dean, Kersten Hamilton, Betsy James, Carolyn Meyer, and Vaunda Micheaux Nelson will present a pilot program that brings teens and authors together to explore research strategies for writing fiction and nonfiction in a digital world.  The authors will discuss a collaboration among libraries, bookstores, educators, and local authors to create dynamic interactive school events designed to excite teens about becoming research detectives, and inspire teachers to link YA fiction with curriculum goals and objectives. Presenters: Carolee Dean, Kersten Hamilton, Betsy James, Carolyn Meyer, and Vaunda Micheaux Nelson

The Future of Review Guidance

The users, creators and venues of reviews used by teen book selectors and readers’ advisors are changing.  Once the purview of professional librarians talking to each other about what books are “good enough,” increasingly reviews now are written and read by the end user: the reader.  In this program, a book publicist, a reviewer, a professional review editor and a collection developer will discuss how this reality offers new vitality to a formerly prescriptive and academic art.  Presenters:  Angela Carstensen, editor of School Library Journal’s blog, Adult Books 4 Teens; Francisca Goldsmith, book reviewer with a variety of professional library journals; Carla Riemer, school librarian, Claremont Middle School, Oakland, CA; Talia Sherer, Macmillan book publicist

Get Real: Contemporary Young Adult Fiction as the Next Big Thing

Feeling frustrated when you look around and see nothing but more supernatural romances?  Not quite sure what the right books are for your patrons who have no interest in the supernatural or paranormal?  This session will explore the appeal of realistic, contemporary young adult fiction as the next big thing in the reading lives of teenagers.  A panel of librarians will provide attendees with an in-depth look at the trends making realistic, contemporary young adult fiction such an exciting genre. Presenters:  Angie Manfredi, Kelly Jensen, Abby Johnson, Kathyrn Salo, and Andrea Sowers

Globalize Me! Young Adult Literature from Outside the U.S.

Globalization is affecting more than the world’s economy.  From the manga explosion to the many international titles honored by the Printz Award, it has also had an impact on the literature today’s young adults read.  In particular, the presenters will be highlighting the many great books and authors from Australia currently making a splash on the American YA scene. Presenters:  Catherine M. Andronik and Adele Walsh

Guys Talkin’ to Guys: What Will Guys Read Next?

What do guys read now? What will they read it in the future?  How can we encourage them to read more?  A panel of authors writing YA literature for guys will comment on their own experiences with reading.  Then get the teen’s response, urban teens will interact with some of the most popular male authors writing today to offer participants a unique perspective of this perennial problem.  Explore the realities and challenges of reaching reluctant guy readers. Moderator: Carrie Dietz.

How to Deal:  Dealing with Complicated and Diverse YA Content

As the lives of young adults become more complicated and diverse, so do their interests.  Young adult literature is already becoming more complex and varied.  In this program a panel of presenters will discuss how the growing complexity of teen’s lives is shaping the content of young adult literature and how they deal with its impact on their libraries and readers.  Each member of the panel will give a 5-6 minutes presentation that will focus on the question “How the changing face of today’s teen drive changes in content and what impact will this have on YA libraries and their readers?”  The presenters will not only speak to the philosophical side of the issue but will offer practical ideas for collection development, developing and using award lists, creating your own reading lists and marketing books to teens.  After hearing what our presenters have to say, participants will be invited to discuss and share their own beliefs and ideas. Presenters:  Amy Taylor, Jennifer George, and Megan Chambers

The Invisible Minority: LGBTQ Literature

LGBTQ teens are being bullied, becoming school dropouts, and committing suicide at skyrocketing rates. Join YA author, Brian Katcher, winner of the 2011 Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award for his book, Almost Perfect, along with panel members from the University of Missouri, and explore ways to become an ally of your LGBTQ teen community, build your LGBTQ collection and turn your library into a safe, inviting environment for LGBTQ teens. Presenters:   Linda Esser, Bobbie Bushman, Brian Katcher, and Jessi Menold

Make it Pop: How to Use Pop Culture in Your Library

Pop culture is extremely important to teenagers but like all cultural trends, what is important to teens one minute is gone the next. This program will focus on how to use pop culture for programming, displays, book talks, community connections, and building that ever so important rapport with teen patrons, both inside and outside the library. Through pop culture, the library may already be on the cusp of the next big thing. Presenters:  Sarah Wethern and Scott Rader

Neurons & Necromancers : The Transformative Experience in YA Lit

While werewolves and vampires wan, angels, demons, mythological creatures, androids and cyborgs steadily take over.  Does this focus on transformation – an outsider, dangerous – also explain the  popularity of dystopia fiction and what does it say about teens’ role in a changing society? Let’s discuss our favorites in these genres, as well as the issues of fandom, programming, and e-access  to bridge the digital and developmental divide of YA lit. Presenters: Krista King and Crystal Faris

The Next Generation of Author Visits

A typical author visit is where a writer shows up and talks about his or her book. Surely there are ways to promote more interactive and reader-satisfying programs by leveraging the creative potential of authors in your community. Come brainstorm with a group of young-adult authors about developing dynamic, collaborative author-led programming that resonates with young readers. We will share author perspectives on the outreach process and discuss ways in which librarians and authors can turn their relationship into a means to expand the reach of MG and YA literature among readers of all ages. Presenters:  J.Anderson Coats and fellow members of the Class of 2k12, TBD

Project READ—Beyond the Library Walls

Do you want to infuse innovative technology into your library programming?  Do you want to hear how public libraries and school libraries work together to get amazing results?  Librarians from various libraries got together and created PROJECT READ.  We joined forces to infuse technology into library programming at the K-12 level, while involving the community!  Our paradigm is easily replicated anywhere in the country.  Our collaboration, curation and creations continue! Presenters:  Janine Asmus, Denise Monegato, Susan Peterson, Tyler Works and Christina Giovanelli-Caputo

Social Reading: Inside the Ebook Book Discussions

Reading has always had a social component. When you and teens talk about what just happened in the latest hot book, that’s social. New technologies, such as apps like Subtext, make it possible to expand social reading experiences so that teens and librarians can discuss a book in real-time inside an ebook.  Participants in this session will learn about how inside the ebook discussions work and why they are worth doing. Presenter:  Linda W. Braun

When a Book Is More than Paper: Transmedia Trends in Young Adult Literature

Transmedia is an increasingly popular method of expanding the frame of modern storytelling.  By using social media and technology in various forms, including videos, websites, apps, and text messages, publishers are taking stories beyond books and across media.  In this presentation, we will explore best practices in utilizing transmedia storytelling techniques and methods of evaluation.  We will also discuss why the teen market is the ideal audience for transmedia as well as the issue of the digital divide. Presenters:  Jackie Parker and Rachel McDonald

YA Literature and Fan-Created Work

Fan created works, from fan fiction to fan art, are an increasingly visible and a richly rewarding way for fans to interact with their favorite stories. At the same time, fan works raises sticky questions about copyright and the meaning of transformative work for literature and authorship.  Join a panel of authors, editors, librarians, and fans to explore the impact of participatory fan culture has had and will continue to have on teen literature. Presenters: Robin Brenner and Elizabeth Burns