Consultant Sally Dedecker, who runs her own firm, has been named BEA's director of education.

Much like spring itself, BEA came and went in a flash last week, with more than 21,000 people strolling the aisles of New York City's Javits Center for the week's events. Children's publishers packed plenty into the show, and here we offer photographic proof. Read on for highlights of the show's autographings, events, parties, and more.

Three prominent YA writers — Melissa de la Cruz, Ellen Hopkins, and Melissa Marr — who have all recently penned adult novels, gathered for a panel during BEA for a lively conversation about the experience of writing for older readers.

With the topic of bullying making headlines around the nation, the release of the anthology Dear Bully (HarperTeen, Aug.) which features 70 YA authors discussing their personal experiences with bullying, could not be more timely. Last week during BEA, Ellen Hopkins, who wrote the book's foreword, moderated a panel on the topic, with Maryrose Wood (The Incorrigible Children of Ashton Place series), Lisa McMann (The Wake trilogy), and Megan Kelley Hall (Daughters of Misery).

Bookseller Cynthia Compton, owner of Indianapolis's 4 Kids Books & Toys, told a room of approximately 75 booksellers and librarians during the BEA Day of Education that organizing in-store events is a lot like going on a field trip to the zoo in first grade: "You need a buddy."

On Tuesday, May 24, the first day of BEA, Jarrett J. Krosoczka was apparently confused. The author of "Pudding," a short story in the latest of the Guys Read series, Thriller (Walden Pond Press, Sept.), woke up and dressed himself as Michael Jackson—yes, back in his own Thriller days. Red leather (OK, pleather) suit with black stripes. Sparkly socks. And to complete the ensemble: a glittering silver glove.

Although dedicated graphic novel publishers showed up in smaller numbers than in the past, plenty of graphic novels could still be found on the floor of this year's Book Expo America.

The BEA panel, "Hot Fall Graphic Novels for Libraries," discussed titles that give educators options for all kinds of students, from toddlers to advanced college and even graduate students, yet these titles can also stand on their own literary and artistic merit.

Although BlogWorld brought in strong numbers for BookExpo America this year, the trade show is reporting a slight dip in attendance for the three-day event, as compared to 2010. BEA announced, via its blog, that total attendance for the 2011 show was 21,664, compared to 21,919 in 2010.

With the effect of the recession steadily, if slowly, fading, and the industry getting a better grasp on the role e-books will play in its future, the 2011 edition of BookExpo America was the most vibrant since the economy collapsed in late 2007. BEA event director Steve Rosato noted that with the book business and the economy improving, there were less than 10 cancellations for booth space compared to more than 20 last year. "It was nothing at all like the past few years, particularly 2008 when it seemed like one booth in, one booth out," Rosato said.