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#Jax Book Fest 2024
Featured Author for Teens & Young Adults
The Library's biggest celebration of authors, books, and writing is back! Jax Book Fest returns September 20-21 to the Main Library in downtown Jacksonville with three #1 New York Times bestselling authors, dozens of local authors, and activities for readers of all ages.
The "Main Event" for teens is a Teen Lit Chat Interview with Jason Reynolds, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of many award-winning books, including Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, in the Meantime (illustrated by Raúl the Third), and Ain’t Burned All the Bright (with artwork by Jason Griffin).
The recipient of a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, an NAACP Image Award, and multiple Coretta Scott King honors, Reynolds is also the 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.
Meet Jason Reynolds at the Library
Teens (ages 12-17) and their families as well as adult fans of "Middle Grades" and "Young Adult" (YA) books are invited to a Teen Lit Chat Interview with Jason Reynolds on Saturday, September 21 from 11:30 a.m. - 12:30 p.m. The program will include a 40-minute conversation with interviewer, Councilman Rahman Johnson, followed by a 20-minute audience Q&A.
Our Jax Book Fest featured authors will sign books for one hour after their respective Lit Chat programs. You may bring a copy from home, purchased from your favorite bookstore. Note: A limited number of copies of the first two books in the Track series will be given away to teen in attendance (first-come, first-served). Other titles will be available for purchase on-site from San Marco Books and More.
Book Recommendations
More About Jason Reynolds
Born in Washington, DC, and raised in Maryland, Reynolds first found inspiration in rap and began writing poetry when he was nine years old. He went on to publish several poetry collections before publishing his first novel, When I Was the Greatest, which won the Corretta Scott King/John Steptoe Award for New Talent. He has since written numerous award-winning novels, including the Track series, Patina, Sunny, For Everyone, Miles Morales: Spider-Man, and As Brave As You, which won the Kirkus Prize, an NAACP Image Award, and the Schneider Family Book Award. He is also the author of Long Way Down, a novel in verse which was named a Newberry Honor book, a Printz Honor Book, and best young adult work by the Mystery Writers of America’s Edgar Awards.
He has appeared on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The Daily Show with Trevor Noah, Late Night with Seth Meyers, CBS Sunday Morning, Good Morning America, and various media outlets. He is on faculty at Lesley University, for the Writing for Young People MFA Program and lives in Washington, DC. For more information, follow Jason @jasonreynolds83 on Instagram and X (Twitter).
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Meet #1 New York Times Bestselling Creator Vashti Harrison
Kids (ages 5-12) and their families: Don't miss a Junior Lit Chat Author Talk on Saturday, September 21 from 10 - 10:30 a.m. with Vashti Harrison, the #1 New York Times bestselling creator of Big, Little Leaders, Little Dreamers, and Little Legends and the illustrator of Andrea Beaty's I Love You Like Yellow, Matthew Cherry’s Hair Love, and Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic’s Hello, Star, among others.
Vashti Harrison also received a Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for Lupita Nyong’o’s Sulwe and is also a two-time recipient of the NAACP Image Award for Outstanding Literary Work for Children.
Read More about Jax Book Fest
Hey, book fans! Are you ready for the return of Jax Book Fest? This year, we'll be joined by three #1 New York Times bestselling authors! This is also your opportunity to meet and support dozens of local authors! Join us on day one for free writing and publishing workshops and networking opportunities for aspiring and up-and-coming authors. Then, come back on day two for the main event! There will also be special guests and activities in the Teen Room.
Writer's Day: Friday, September 20 from 12-5 p.m.
Reader's Day: Saturday, September 21 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
The event is free and open to all with something fun for readers of all ages.
Be the first to know about upcoming Lit Chat author talks and more!
