Eighth grader Drew Ellis is no stranger to the saying “You have to work twice as hard to be just as good.” His grandmother has reminded him his entire life. But what if he works ten times as hard and still isn’t afforded the same opportunities that his privileged classmates at the Riverdale Academy Day School take for granted?' Jerry Craft's “New Kid” is the only book in history to win the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature; the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature, and the Coretta Scott King Author Award for the most outstanding work by an African American writer.

Did you know that Gene Yang’s “American Born Chinese” was the first graphic novel nominated for the National Book Award (it was a finalist!)? And that Gene became the National Ambassador for Children’s Literature? You won’t want to miss Gene’s epic presentation as he takes you through his world of graphic novels, comics, storytelling, and how to make your voice heard in the world. A must for any kids who loves graphic novels.

Facing a world dually-altered by climate change and those who profit from it, Yolanda Cicerón will have to fight to save the last known beehive from extinction in this stirring new adventure. While life in the Valley is brutal and harsh, Yoly dreams of leaving her farm to live in Silo—the most advanced town for miles around. Can the last surviving beehive be the key to pulling the Valley out from under Silo’s thumb, or will they destroy what remains of Yoly’s future?

Eva V. Gibson is the author of contemporary YA novels Together We Caught Fire and Where Secrets Lie. Her Young Adult horror debut, Frightmares, will be on shelves in July 2022. A fantastic new voice in Young Adult literature, Eva is sure to become a new favorite author for teens everywhere. Don’t miss your chance to be one of the first to hang out with Eva and see what she’s all about and what she has in store for your bookshelf.

No one does horror like Lamar Giles and Tiffany Jackson. Their latest books, The Getaway, and The Weight of Blood, respectively, bring YA horror into the current age. Racism, classism, bullying, self-doubt. What’s more dangerous: the monster you know in your home or the unknown nightmare outside the walls?

For Young Adults Only

What do teens want? And what do they want to read? They want real stuff, and Tiffany Jackson knows it. Bullying, anxiety, romance, racism, hope, love, all of it. From Let Me Hear a Rhyme, and Monday’s Not Coming to Allegedly and now her newest book, The Weight of Blood, Tiffany’s books have won numerous awards, and her voice is one teens want to hear. Join Tiffany as she talks about why it’s important for her to know what teens want, and why it’s important to give it to them.

Did you know that Gene Yang’s “American Born Chinese” was the first graphic novel nominated for the National Book Award (it was a finalist!)? And that “New Kid” by Jerry Craft was the first graphic novel to win a Newbery Award? You won’t want to miss epic presentation as Gene and Jerry take you through their world of graphic novels, comics, storytelling, and how to make your voice heard in the world. A must for any kids who loves graphic novels.

Facing a world dually-altered by climate change and those who profit from it, Yolanda Cicerón will have to fight to save the last known beehive from extinction in this stirring new adventure. While life in the Valley is brutal and harsh, Yoly dreams of leaving her farm to live in Silo—the most advanced town for miles around. Can the last surviving beehive be the key to pulling the Valley out from under Silo’s thumb, or will they destroy what remains of Yoly’s future?

Eva V. Gibson is the author of contemporary YA novels Together We Caught Fire and Where Secrets Lie. Her Young Adult horror debut, Frightmares, will be on shelves in July 2022. A fantastic new voice in Young Adult literature, Eva is sure to become a new favorite author for teens everywhere. Don’t miss your chance to be one of the first to hang out with Eva and see what she’s all about and what she has in store for your bookshelf.

What makes a horror story so scary? Is it the environment? The setting? The characters? The narrator? The ending? Just what plot devices to you use to scare someone and keep them scared? Join masters of horror Lamar Giles, Tiffany Jackson, and Dan Poblocki for this incredible writing workshop.

Eva V. Gibson is the author of contemporary YA novels Together We Caught Fire and Where Secrets Lie. Her Young Adult horror debut, Frightmares, will be on shelves in July 2022. A fantastic new voice in Young Adult literature, Eva is sure to become a new favorite author for teens everywhere. Don’t miss your chance to be one of the first to hang out with Eva and see what she’s all about and what she has in store for your bookshelf.

Sometimes the best ideas and the best talk come when we are playing a game. Sports are more than just a way to break the ice. They are a way to interact, to spur being social, to solve problems, to connect. Pablo wants to connect with kids through sports, to talk about books, and life, and friends, and dreams. So come play basketball!

Did you know that Gene Yang’s “American Born Chinese” was the first graphic novel nominated for the National Book Award (it was a finalist!)? And that “New Kid” by Jerry Craft was the first graphic novel to win a Newbery Award? Now you can make your own graphic novel (with a little help from the best)

The VCBF LIVEmural is back, and this year our muralist Monty Montgomery is working with award-winning illustrator Corinna Luyken to design a colorful and fun mural that you get to paint! Don’t miss your chance to leave your mark on the 2022 VCBF by helping create this magical mural.