Thursday, March 22, 6:30 PM–8:30 PM
Philadelphia Marriott Downtown, Grand Ballroom
A PLA Conference favorite, be sure to register for this special evening of engaging authors, audio voices, and delicious food.
Joshilyn Jackson is the New York Times bestselling author of seven novels, including Gods in Alabama and A Grown-Up Kind of Pretty. Her books have been translated into a dozen languages. A former actor, Jackson is also an award-winning audiobook narrator. She lives in Decatur, Ga., with her husband and their two children.
Appearing courtesy HarperAudio
Marley Dias made headlines as a 6th grader when she started the #1000BlackGirlBooks campaign to collect children’s books featuring black protagonists. Her initiative led to appearances on The Nightly Show, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, and many more. Marley has been profiled in Teen Vogue, was a guest editor at Elle.com, is the national spokesperson for “How Can Girls Lead?”, and launched the National Literacy Tour in partnership with the White House. Marley lives in New Jersey with her parents.
In her forthcoming “keep-it-real” guide, Marley explores activism, social justice, volunteerism, equity and inclusion, and using social media for good. Drawing from her experience, Marley shows kids how they can galvanize their strengths to make positive changes in their communities, while getting support from parents, teachers, and friends to turn dreams into reality. Focusing on the importance of literacy and diversity, Marley offers suggestions on book selection, and delivers hands-on strategies for becoming a lifelong reader.
Appearing courtesy Scholastic Audio
Photo by Scott Dickerson
Known to many as the patriarch of Discovery Channel’s Emmy-shortlisted program Alaska: The Last Frontier, Atz Kilcher is an artist, a writer, a musician, and the man who taught his daughter, music superstar Jewel, how to sing. Son of a Midnight Land is Kilcher’s memoir about growing up in the Alaskan frontier. His father and mother, Yule and Ruth, emigrated from Switzerland in the 1930’s, joining some of Homer, Alaska’s earliest pioneers. On the remote homestead, with no road in the early days, wood and coal for heating and cooking, and a Coleman lantern or kerosene lamp for light, the Kilchers entertained themselves with songs, stories, plays, and poetry, as well as arts and crafts. Atz’s mother home schooled the children until a road was built, allowing the children to attend public school. Teaching creativity was an important part of the curriculum. Ruth was a trained classical singer, who had great promise herself, before coming to Alaska. In the 50’s and 60’s, the Kilcher family performed in Alaska and Europe. All of Atz’s seven siblings are musical, and perform and record original songs. Many of the next generation carry on the tradition, among them Atz’s daughter, Jewel, the singer.
Appearing courtesy Blackstone Publishing/Blackstone Audio
Kate DiCamillo is the beloved author of many books for children, including Flora & Ulysses and The Tale of Despereaux, both of which received Newbery Medals. Her most recent middle-grade novel, Raymie Nightingale, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller and a National Book Award Finalist. She is also the author of Because of Winn-Dixie, a Newbery Honor Book; The Tiger Rising, a National Book Award Finalist; The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, a #1 New York Times bestseller; and the Mercy Watson series, illustrated by Chris Van Dusen. She is the co-author with Allison McGhee of the Bink and Gollie series, illustrated by Tony Fucile. A former National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature with more than 22 million books in print worldwide, Kate DiCamillo lives in Minneapolis, where she faithfully writes two pages a day, five days a week.
Appearing courtesy Penguin Random House Audio, BOT/Listening Library
Ticket Cost: Registration for this special author event is now closed.
PLA thanks the Audio Publishers Association for its support of this event.
