BOOK FESTIVAL FOSTERS A LOVE OF READING,
DELIVERS FUN FOR LOUISIANA'S YOUNGEST RESIDENTS

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Oct. 11, 2017

Rebecca Hamilton
State Library of Louisiana
225.342.4923
rhamilton@slol.lib.la.us

Buddy Boe/Jessica Ragusa
Office of the Lieutenant Governor
225.342.1013
bboe@crt.la.gov / jragusa@crt.la.gov

The Louisiana Book Festival, a free, family-friendly event to be held on Saturday, October 28th in Baton Rouge’s Capitol Park is excited to announce an awesome line-up of programming, activities, author readings, book signings, games, and crafts specifically designed for young people ranging in age from toddlers to late teens.   

“What better way to encourage a love of reading in our children than with a festival where kids have an opportunity to meet their favorite authors, participate in crafts and games connected to featured books, and maybe even take home a copy of a book that the author has personalized for them? We are so happy to be able to offer this fun and enriching book festival for Louisiana families from across the state to enjoy,” said Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser.

Highlights at this year’s festival include Newbery Medal and Margaret A. Edwards Award recipient Richard Peck with his latest middle grade novel, The Best Man; this year’s Louisiana Writer Award recipient, Mumbo Jumbo, Stay Out of the Gumbo author, Johnette Downing; 2008 Louisiana Writer Award recipient and Academy Award winning and #1 New York Times bestselling children’s author William Joyce, presenting a special reissue of his classic picture book, Santa Calls; G. Brian Karas, illustrator of the New York Times bestseller and 2017 Louisiana Young Readers choice winner, Ivan: The Remarkable True Story of the Shopping Mall Gorilla; and Andrea Page’s Sioux Code Talkers of World War II, which has been nominated for the 2018 American Indian Youth Literature Awards, among many other authors of children’s picture books and middle grade novels. There will also be a special appearance by the storybook characters Elephant and Piggie!

“The State Library of Louisiana and the Louisiana Center for the Book are committed to promoting early childhood literacy and to nurturing a lifelong love of reading and literature in young Louisianans,” said State Librarian of Louisiana, Rebecca Hamilton. “Our annual fall book festival offers a wonderful opportunity to reach both book lovers and reluctant readers alike.” 

Teen HQ will feature a variety of young adult authors, panels, and activities including New York Times bestselling author and Louisiana native, Claudia Gray (Defy the Stars); 2016 Coretta Scott King Honor Award winner Brendan Kiely with his new book, The Last True Love Story; Jesse Haynes, host of the iTunes top 50 podcast The Others; and 2019 Louisiana Teen Reader’s Choice finalist and winner of the 2017 In the Margins Award for Nonfiction for his book Aging Out, Alton Carter. An Our #OwnVoices panel will feature Kiley, as well as Jasmine Warga (Here We Are Now), whose books have been translated into more than 20 languages, Caleb Roehrig, whose novel, Last Seen Leaving, was named a Buzzfeed Best Book of the Year, and Emmy Award winner and former puppet designer in Jim Henson’s Muppet Workshop, Laurent Linn with his book, Draw the Line

Pre-festival activities include a WordShop by young adult author and 2019 Louisiana Teen Reader’s Choice finalist, author Jeff Zentner. Zentner, whose WordShop, Writing with Voice, will take place on Friday, October 27th from 1-4 p.m., is the winner of the 2017 William C. Morris YA Debut Award for his book, The Serpent King, which was also named a best book of the year by more than 10 publications, including a New York Times Notable Book, an Amazon Best Book of the Year, a Southern Living Best Book of the Year, and a BuzzFeed Best YA Book of the Year. His latest novel, Goodbye Days, was called “masterful” by TeenVogue. Writers of various levels of experience are invited to take his and other WordShops offered. For full details and registration, please visit www.louisianabookfestival.org/wordshops.html

For a full line-up and schedule of Louisiana Book Festival authors and presenters, please visit www.louisianabookfestival.org/authors_featured.html

Volunteer

Book-loving volunteers are essential to the Louisiana Book Festival's success. Whether it's escorting authors, guiding visitors, selling refreshments, working with children in the Young Readers Pavilion or other fun and rewarding assignments, the Louisiana Book Festival wants you to join the volunteer team.

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