Join us Thursday, August 7^th for our 14th annual SLJTeen Live! virtual event! Come hear about the latest and most exciting forthcoming titles for teens and tweens. From rom-coms and mysteries to graphic novels and classic coming-of-age stories, our daylong program of author panels, in-depth conversations, and keynote talks will keep you inspired and entertained.

You’ll also have the opportunity to visit the virtual exhibit hall to meet with leading publishers and download digital galleys and other free resources.

Join the conversation on socials! #SLJTeenLive

EVENT HOURS: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET

While the event will be hosted on ON24, all live sessions will be on Zoom. Make sure to log in to your work or personal Zoom account before the day starts to avoid having to log in for each session.

The Virtual Environment is optimized for 1024 X 768 screen resolution. Joining the environment with a cell phone is not recommended. Please make sure your computer and browser are up to date. Chrome tends to work best. The event platform does not support IE11 + Windows 7 or older versions.

CE certificates are available in the event environment for all keynotes and panels, whether you view them live or on-demand. Certificates are not provided for sponsored content.

If on the day of the event you find that you are unable to access the environment or join a session, please know that sessions will be available for on-demand viewing within 24 hours, and the entire event will be accessible for three months from the event date.

By registering for this event or webcast, you are agreeing to School Library Journal Privacy Policy and Code of Conduct Policy and agreeing that School Library Journal may share your registration information with current and future sponsors of this event.

Having trouble registering? Contact the Event Manager.

10:00 – 10:30 AM ET | The Exhibit Hall Opens / Visit the Booths

10:30 – 11:00 AM ET | Opening Keynote with Leah Johnson & George M. Johnson, There's Always Next Year (Macmillan Children’s)
Moderator: Elisa Garcia, Supervising Librarian of MyLibraryNYC, Collections, New York Public Library

THREE CONCURRENT PANELS

11:05 – 11:50 AM ET | Heart-Pounding Reads                 
Secrets, lies, and high-stakes tension, these fast-paced stories keep readers on the edge of their seats. Learn how thrillers hook teen audiences with gripping plots and psychological twists.

Kaitlyn Cavalancia, Hunting the Strange (Disney)
Jumata Emill, I Don't Wish You Well (Random House Children's Books)
Chloe Gong, Coldwire (Simon & Schuster Children's)
S. G. Prince, If All the Stars Go Dark (Macmillan Children’s)
Moderator: TBD

11:05 – 11:50 AM ET | Love in the Limelight
Whether swoon-worthy or heartbreak-heavy, romance offers a mirror to self-discovery, identity, and connection. Join this conversation on how love stories speak to teen readers with warmth, wit, and emotional depth.

Julia Drake, Lovesick Falls (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Laura Taylor Namey, If We Never End (Bloomsbury)
Priyanka Taslim, Always Be My Bibi (Simon & Schuster)
Alexandra Villasante, Fireblooms (Penguin Young Readers)
Moderator: Heather Lassley, Librarian, Frisco ISD/ Trent Middle School (TX)

11:05 – 11:50 AM ET | Poetry in Motion
Lyrical, raw, and resonant. Verse novels capture teen experiences in compact yet powerful language. Explore how poetic form empowers voice and emotion in storytelling that lingers long after the last line.

Jeannine Atkins, Knocking on Windows (Simon & Schuster Children's)
Margarita Engle, Island Creatures (Simon & Schuster Children's)
Nikita Gill, Hekate (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Amber McBride, The Leaving Room (Macmillan Children's)
Moderator: Brandi Grant, Teacher-Librarian, Frisco ISD (TX)

TWO CONCURRENT PANELS

11:55 AM – 12:25 PM ET | Author & Editor Spotlight with Taylor Cassidy, Black History Is Your History (Simon & Schuster Children's)
 

11:55 AM – 12:25 PM ET | Author & Editor Spotlight with Sonora Reyes, The Golden Boy's Guide to Bipolar (HarperCollins Children's Books)

12:25 – 12:55 PM ET | Break / Visit the Exhibit Hall

12:55 – 1:25 PM ET | Afternoon Keynote with Samira Ahmed, The Singular Life of Aria Patel (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Moderator: Ashley Leffel, Librarian, Frisco (TX)

THREE CONCURRENT PANELS
 

1:30 – 2:15 PM ET | Once Upon a Reimagining
Classic tales, new voices. Dive into reimagined folklore and mythologies that breathe fresh life into timeless stories, from epic retellings to subversive spins that reflect contemporary themes and diverse cultural lenses.

Julie Berry, If Looks Could Kill (Simon & Schuster Children's)
Marissa Meyer, The House Saphir (Macmillan Children's )
Trung Le Nguyen, Angelica and the Bear Prince (Random House Children's Books)
Crystal Velasquez, Wildcats (Andrews McMeel)
Moderator: Beth Atwater, Collection Development Librarian, Johnson County Library (KS)

1:30 – 2:15 PM ET | Power to the Page
From protests to petitions, today’s youth are sparking change, and these books are capturing the momentum. Join authors as they explore stories of resistance, advocacy, and youth-led movements that inspire civic engagement and courage.

Marie Arnold, Split the Sky (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Helena Haywoode Henry, Last Chance Live! (Penguin Young Readers)
Farah Heron, Meet Me on Love Street (Simon & Schuster)
Moderator: Monisha Blair, Head Librarian, Key Middle School, Fairfax County (VA)

1:30 – 2:15 PM ET | Read If You Dare
Goosebumps, ghost stories, and psychological chills- this panel is not for the faint of heart. Explore how horror offers a safe space for teens to process fear, trauma, and the unknown through spine-tingling tales.

Lily Anderson, Showstopper (Macmillan Children's)
Kalynn Bayron, Make Me a Monster (Bloomsbury)
Kiersten White, The House of Quiet (Random House Children's Books)
Keezy Young, Hello Sunshine (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Moderator: Emmy Neal, Teen Librarian, Lake Forest Library (IL)

2:20 – 2:50 PM ET | Author & Editor Spotlight with Brittney Griner, Coming Home (Adapted for Young Adults) (Random House Children's Books)
Moderator: Tom Russell, VP, Publisher of Bright Matter Books

2:50 – 3:25 PM ET | Break / Visit the Exhibit Hall
 

TWO CONCURRENT PANELS
 

3:25 – 4:10 PM ET | Framed Stories
Illustration meets narration in this celebration of the graphic format. Discover how visual storytelling captivates teen readers, amplifies voice and identity, and brings nuanced stories to life panel by panel.

Shannon Hale, Princess Academy: The Graphic Novel (Bloomsbury)
Chris Kappel, Wrack & Rune (Mad Cave Studios)
Kayden Phoenix, Latina Superheroes (Vol. 1): Jalisco & Santa (Andrews McMeel)
Maggie Stiefvater, The Raven Boys: The Graphic Novel (Penguin Young Readers)
Moderator: Alea Perez, Youth Services Manager, Roselle Public Library (IL)

3:25 – 4:10 PM ET | The Past Is Personal
History isn’t just dates, it’s deeply human. These authors illuminate the lives, struggles, and triumphs of teens across eras and continents, making the past feel urgent, relevant, and unforgettable.

Deborah Heiligman, Loudmouth: Emma Goldman vs. America (A Love Story) (Macmillan Children's)
David Levithan & Gabriel Duckels, The Fight of Our Lives: AIDS in America (Random House Children's Books)
Stephanie Morrill, The Secret Investigator of Astor St. (Blink)
Julia & Brad Riew, The Last Tiger (Penguin Young Readers)
Moderator: Dr. Grace D. Gipson, Assistant Professor of African American Studies, Virginia Commonwealth University

TWO CONCURRENT PANELS
 

4:15 – 5:00 PM ET | No Easy Answers
Mental health, grief, identity, trauma- today’s YA doesn’t shy away from the hard stuff. This panel discusses how authors tackle complex issues with care, authenticity, and empathy, offering hope in the hardest moments.

John Cochran, Breaking into Sunlight (Little, Brown Books for Young Readers)
Jesmeen Kaur Deo, Reasons We Break (Disney)
E. Lockhart, We Fell Apart (Random House Children's Books)
Dustin Thao, You Found Oliver (Penguin Young Readers)
Moderator: Maegen Rose, PhD student, School for Information Studies (SOIS) at Dominican University, River Forest (IL)

4:15 – 5:00 PM ET | Worlds Beyond and Broken
Whether escaping into enchanted realms or surviving fractured futures, teens confront magic, mayhem, and moral questions. This panel explores fantastical and dystopian landscapes where imagination meets hard truths.

Chris Condon, Far Down Below (Mad Cave Studios)
Amanda Helander, Wayward Gods (Disney)
Petra Lord, Queen of Faces (Macmillan Children's)
Jill Tew, An Ocean Apart (Random House Children's Books)
Moderator: Ashley Rayner, Librarian at NORC, University of Chicago (IL)