The 2024 American Library Association Annual Conference & Exhibition is underway in San Diego, Calif. Featured speakers included former Daily Show host Trevor Noah, talking about his forthcoming illustrated fable, Into the Uncut Grass (illustrated by Sabina Hahn; One World, October); Academy Award-nominated actress, producer, and author Taraji P. Henson discussing her recently released children's title, You Can Be a Good Friend (No Matter What!) from Zonderkidz; and Max Greenfield sharing insights on Good Night Thoughts (Putnam Books for Young Readers, September). Here are sights and scenes from ALA:
Authors K.E. Lewis (Devonte's Shoes, Candlewick, 2025) and Winsome Hudson-Bingham (The Table, Neal Porter Books/Holiday House, October) at the opening party hosted by Holiday House, Candlewick, Peachtree, and Pixel + Ink.
At a Friday evening cocktail party, author and librarian John Schu (Ruthie Rose's Big Idea, Candlewick, March 4, 2025) joked with district library coordinators Becky Calzada (Leander, Tex.) and Tom Bober (St. Louis, Mo.).
Holiday House authors Rhonda Roumani (Insha'Allah, No, Maybe So) and Khadijah Vanbrakle (Fatima Tate Takes the Cake) at the Friday night opening party.
Librarians, authors, and publishing professionals enjoyed cocktails and tacos on Friday night at Astra Books for Young Readers' opening night party: (l.-r) Carolyn P. Yoder (editorial director, Calkins Creek), author and librarian Betsy Bird (Evanston, Ill.), Eric Carpenter (Atlanta, Ga.), Sandra Farag (Kalamazoo, Mich.), and Kate Atienza (Plain City, Ohio).
Carole Boston Weatherford signed her board book Me and the Family Tree (Sourcebooks Jabberwocky) for youth services librarian Helaire Hamilton Mitchell (Redondo Beach, Calif.).
Max Greenfield, whose next book is Good Night Thoughts, illustrated by James Serafino (Putnam Books for Young Readers, September), spoke with Kit Ballenger, youth services librarian, consultant with Help Your Shelf, and Shelf Awareness reviewer. (photo: Sophie Rosenberg)
Author Kekla Magoon posed with Professor Jonda C. McNair and her May 2024 title, The Secret Library (Candlewick), at the Coretta Scott King Award breakfast on Sunday morning.