Registration is now open for the 2021 Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival (TBF), which will be presented virtually on Saturday, May 15 from 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
TBF 2021 will feature a diverse lineup of 35 well-known and upcoming authors and narrators, including New York Times and USA Today bestseller Karen M. McManus! Other featured authors this year include Morgan Baden, Rocky Callen, Jen Calonita, and Barry Lyga, and returning fan-favorites Ellen Hopkins, Paul Griffin, and A.S. King, among many others. The day’s events will include virtual breakout sessions, workshops and virtual publisher booths designed to promote engagement with authors, readers and writers.
TBF is free and open to the public, but registration is required in advance. To register and to get more information about the festival, visit www.teenbookfest.org.
The TBF team asked the authors coming to this year’s Teen Book Festival: “If readers coming to TBF could only read ONE of your books, which should they read and why?” Here are their recommendations for books available at CA Library with spoiler-free book reviews!
The Hive by Morgan Baden & Barry Lyga — Reviewed by Sophie’s Book Nook
Co-author Morgan Baden suggests “The Hive if you like (or hate) social media…but Daphne and Velma: The Dark Deception if they like Scooby Doo or Veronica Mars!”
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A Breath Too Late by Rocky Callen — Reviewed by Kimberly Rein
Author Rocky Callen suggests “A Breath Too Late (my debut!) because it is important to know that hope lives, even in the darkest of places.”
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Mirror, Mirror by Jen Calonia — Reviewed by Tiny Book Dragon
Author Jen Calonita suggests “Mirror, Mirror. If you’re looking to know why the Evil Queen became evil, here’s my take on it, and our girl Snow White too!”
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The You I’ve Never Known by Ellen Hopkins — Reviewed by jessethereader
Author Ellen Hopkins suggests “The You I’ve Never Known because it’s inspired by a chapter of my real life.”
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The Magic Fish by Trung Le Nguyen — Reviewed by Victoria
Author Trung Le Nguyen suggests reading “The Magic Fish. It’s my debut, which I think is pretty neat, personally. It’s also full of love for bedtime stories, family, and friendships. And it’s queer and gentle and has very minimal cannibalism as far as fairy tales go.”
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Furyborn by Claire Legrand — Reviewed by ashleyoutpaged
Author Claire Legrand suggests “Furyborne. It’s the first book in The Emperium Trilogy, and I came up with the idea for it right after graduating high school. The story has been a part of my life for almost 17 years and has kept me going even when times were hard.”
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Bang by Barry Lyga — Review by the (book) supplier
Author Barry Lyga suggests “Bang, because it’s a quick read, but also manages to be dark, life-affirming, and brutal all at the same time. And there’s awesome pizza.”
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The Cousins by Karen M. McManus — Reviewed by Book Lover Lorna
Author Karen M. McManus suggests “The Cousins. It’s my most recent book, and a twisty, escapist read.”
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Of Curses and Kisses by Sandhya Menon — Reviewed by Emma’s Book Nook
Sandhya Menon suggests “Of Curses and Kisses because it’s a contemporary ‘Beauty and the Beast’ retelling set at a boarding school!”
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Slay by Brittney Morris — Reviewed by The Artisan Geek
Author Brittney Morris suggests “Slay. I’m super passionate about video games and owning your own identity, and Slay covers both! It’ll leave you feeling excited and hopefully empowered to be who you want to be.”
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Grasshopper Jungle by Andrew Smith — Reviewed by bookswithdylan
Andrew Smith suggests “Grasshopper Jungle, because everyone wants to read something like nothing they have ever read before.”
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Sadie by Courtney Summers — Reviewed by Still Waiting For My Satyr
Audiobook narrator Rebecca Soler suggests the audiobook version of “Sadie, by Courtney Summers. Sadie explores the depths of a sister’s love — poised to be the next story listeners won’t be able to pause. A missing girl on a journal of revenge and a Serial-like podcast following the clues she’s left behind.”
CA readers can borrow the audiobook version of Sadie here (Sora login required).
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The Guinevere Deception by Kiersten White — Reviewed by I Should Read That
Author Kierstin White suggests “The Guinevere Deception. It’s a swoony, magical vacation to Camelot, and we could all use a good vacation right now.”