The 12th annual AJC Decatur Book Festival took place September 1–3 in Decatur, Ga. The festival brought together more than 600 authors, including a diverse lineup of children’s and YA writers for panels, costume parades, signings, and more. Read on for some highlights from the event.

Kelly DiPucchio (r.), author of Super Manny Stands Up!, joins The Princess in Black collaborators LeUyen Pham (l.) and Shannon Hale for the Children’s Parade, led by the DBF mascot, Bookzilla. Photo: TW Meyer Photography.

Actor Henry Winkler, co-author with Lin Oliver of the Hank Zipzer and the Here’s Hank series, signs a book for a fan. Winkler kicked off the festival with his “Kidnote” address on September 1.

(From l.): Tiffany D. Jackson (Allegedly), Lamar Giles (Overturned), Nic Stone (Dear Martin), and Jeff Zentner (Goodbye Days) get ready to discuss themes of truth and justice in YA at the “Crime and Punishment” panel.

A young reader browses the books for sale. Photo: TW Meyer Photography.

Author Cassie Beasley pays a visit to Oak Glen Elementary in Decatur, where students created a mural inspired by her new middle-grade novel, Tumble & Blue.

(From l.): Moderator Stefani Sloma of Sourcebooks speaks with Nancy Werlin (And Then There Were Four), Emily Lloyd-Jones (The Hearts We Stole), and Jessica Taylor (A Map for Wrecked Girls) about their YA thrillers, during the “Page Turners” panel.

Jennifer Nielsen signs a copy of The Scourge for a young reader after her “Surviving the Supernatural” panel with Ronald L. Smith.

Local author Carmen Agra Deedy (The Rooster Who Would Not Be Quiet!) leads the Children’s Parade as Grand Marshal.