Nov. 2: Special Events

Shining the Light on Dystopian Young Adult Literature

Friday, 8:30am–Noon
$59

This preconference session will feature the world of young adult dystopian literature from a variety of perspectives. Speakers include YA authors Ilsa Bick, CJ Redwine, and Pamela Sargent, Tor editor Susan Chang, a reader’s advisor, and university professors. Topics discussed will include the popularity of YA dystopian fiction; its genesis, common elements, and trends. Time will be allowed for breakout sessions with the authors. Booktalks and lists of relevant new titles will be incorporated. Presenters:  Diana Tixier Herald, Dr. Karen Gavigan and Dr. Linda Gann

Using Social Networking, Web 2.0, and E-readers to Engage Students.

Friday, 8:30am–Noon
$59

E-readers and tablets are becoming more prevalent in today’s classrooms. Social networking and Web 2.0 goes hand-in-hand with these emerging technologies. Teens can connect with each other and with their favorite authors with the click of a button. This session will discuss current practices with these tools and provide resources for adapting current reading strategies and practices. The session will feature 10 Nook e-readers for attendees to use and explore. Presenters:  Karin Perry and Jason Kurtz

What’s Next?  Trends, Fads, and the Next Big Thing in Publishing.

Friday, 1–4:30 pm
$59

What’s NEXT? It’s the question we all ask ourselves when deciding what to order and whether it will have staying power in our collections. As librarians and library workers who serve teenagers, it’s frustrating to feel like you are always playing catch up on current trends. This presentation looks generally at resources and tools that librarians and library workers can use to evaluate trends with an eye on the future to make the best use of time and money. The first part of our presentation will discuss current YA publishing trends and fads from teens’ point of view, while the second half will focus on how librarians and booksellers predict what will be hot.  Presenters:  Jennifer Lowe, Sarah Holtkamp, and Emily Scherrer

Tour of St. Louis Libraries

Friday, 1–4:30 pm
$25

There’s more to St. Louis than downtown. Hop on the party bus for a tour of St. Louis Public Library Branches. SLPL’s Director of Youth Services will share demographics and information about Library programs and services. You’ll see 4-6 branch libraries, each uniquely designed to meet the varied needs of our diverse urban neighborhoods.

Nov. 3: Special Events

Bill Morris Memorial Author Luncheon featuring David Levithan and Patricia McCormick

Saturday, Noon–1:30pm
$45

David Levithan finds it downright baffling to write about himself, which is why he’s considering it somewhat cruel and unusual to have to write this brief bio. The factual approach (born ’72, Brown ’94, book ’03) seems a bit dry, while the emotional landscape (happy childhood, happy adolescence— give or take a few poems—and happy adulthood so far) sounds horribly well-adjusted. The only addiction he’s ever had was a brief spiral into the arms of diet Dr Pepper, unless you count My So-Called Life episodes as a drug. He is evangelical in his musical beliefs and deathly afraid that his bio will end up sounding like the final paragraph in an online dating ad. Luckily, he is much happier talking about his books than he is talking about himself.  His first novel, Boy Meets Boy, started as a story he wrote for his friends for Valentine’s Day (something he’s done for the past 15 years) and turned itself into a teen novel. When not writing during spare hours on weekends, David is a young adult book editor in New York City.

Patricia McCormick is a former journalist who has won much acclaim for her compassionate approach to hard-hitting subjects. Her upcoming young adult novel, Never Fall Down, is based on the unforgettable true story of Arn Chron Pond, the remarkable human rights activist who survived the Killing Fields of the Khmer Rouge as a young boy. Her previous book, Purple Heart, was a Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2009, and her book Sold was a National Book Award finalist. Her other books, Cut and My Brother’s Keeper, were received with national acclaim. Patricia lives in New York with her family.