YALLWEST, the largest YA and middle grade book festival in the country, was held this year at Santa Monica High School in California on Saturday, April 29. The event brought together more than 20,000 fans and 100 authors for a day of panels, signings, photo booths, Quidditch, giveaways, and more. This year, YALLWEST also sent 13 authors on visits to Title I schools on April 27 and 28. The festival was created by a group of bestselling YA authors and YALLFEST organizers, including co-directors Melissa de la Cruz and Margaret Stohl. All photos: Shoob Photo South, except where noted.

(From l.): Authors Margaret Stohl, Veronica Roth, and Melissa de la Cruz at the “I Ship It: Fandoms Panel.”

(From l.): Chris Colfer and Melissa de la Cruz discuss YA fandoms during the “PM Spotlight.”

Kiersten White (second from r.) has fellow authors Roshani Chokshi (l.), Sarah Mlynowski, and Renée Ahdieh in stitches during a round of “Never Have I Ever.”

Attendees and volunteers attending the “Alt Facts, Alt Futures: Writing the Post Dystopia” panel.

(From l.): Cecil Castellucci, Mark Waid, Marie Lu, and Margaret Stohl take part in the “Storymakers Live” event.

The UCLA Quidditch Team demonstrates the rules of Kidditch.

Rachel Renée Russell (center l.) visits Equitas Academy in Los Angeles with daughter Nikki Russell (center r.), who drew portraits of each student.

(From l.): Roshani Chokshi, Sara B. Larson, and Erin Summerill present the “Writing: How the Hell Do We Do This” panel.

Epic Reads leads Book Nerd Yoga.

Adi Alsaid meets a fan at the Harlequin Teen booth and samples a donut inspired by his latest novel, North of Happy.

(From l.): Veronica Roth, C. Alexander London, and festival producer Tori Hill present the first-place winner for YALLWEST’s teen writing competition, Anabella Ruiz.

Fans browse titles provided by the Mysterious Galaxy Bookstore, YALLWEST’s official bookseller. More than 3,000 books were sold during the festival.