THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 20
11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
Dream or Nightmare? Transitioning from a Holistic Approach to Literacy Teaching to Science of Reading Informed Curriculum
This panel shares case study findings on how four teacher participants struggle with shifting their teaching approach in the current era of science-of-reading mandates. (Mile High Ballroom 1A/1B)
11:30 a.m.–12:45 p.m.
How Children’s Books Can Inform, Inspire, and Nurture the Bold Dreams of Young Environmental Advocates
Educators and authors Anne Broyles, Kelly Crull, Juana Martinez-Neal, and Melissa Stewart discuss how books can provide students with background knowledge and models of environmental stewardship, and inspire advocacy-based activities. (Room 702)
1–2:15 p.m.
Driven by Dreams: Bold Strategies for Teaching Young Adult Literature
Authors Libba Bray and Adina King are featured guests at these roundtable discussions on how to use YA books to inspire dreams of a better world. (Mile High Ballroom 1C/1D)
1–2:15 p.m.
From the Stuff of Nightmares: How to Use Spooky Books and Creative Bibliotherapy to Foster Social-Emotional Learning and Empower Kids to Dream Big
Authors of spooky middle grade books discuss how their texts can offer readers tools for confronting their real-life fears. (Room 601)
FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 21
11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Battling over Books: Confronting the Roots and Realities of Censorship in English Classrooms
The educator-presenters will share the findings of three recent research studies that analyze the various forms of book censorship in schools and discuss approaches that teachers can take to address it. (Mile High Ballroom 2C)
11 a.m.–12:15 p.m.
Pen to Picture: Graphic Novels in the Classroom
Graphic novel creators Julio Anta, Daniel Miyares, Tyler Page, and Judd Winick share their new titles and demonstrate how teachers can use graphic novels to meet curriculum standards and support students. (Mile High Ballroom 3A)
11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m.
Middle Level Section Luncheon
Attendees will hear from Newbery Medalist Katherine Applegate, who will introduce her new novel Pocket Bear—about Pocket, who was created as a good luck charm for soldiers going into battle—and from Tony Weaver Jr., a content creator and founder of the nonprofit Weird Enough as well as the author of the graphic novel Weirdo. (Four Seasons 2/3, Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level, $75)
SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 22
7–9:15 a.m.
ALAN Breakfast
Author Tiffany D. Jackson, winner of the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Award, will introduce her latest YA thriller, The Scammer, which was released earlier this month by Quill Tree. (Four Seasons 1, Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level, $48)
8:15–9:30 a.m.
Defining a Comics Pedagogy
NCTE leaders Peter Carlson of Green Dot Public Schools, Antero Garcia of Stanford University, and Susan Kirtley of Portland State University detail comics pedagogy and share strategies that educators can use to integrate comics into diverse classrooms and across disciplines.
11–11:30 a.m.
Books Without Borders: Bridging Literacy and Justice Through a Student-Led Banned Book Curriculum
Lora Hawkins from Appalachian State University details how students researched, secured funding for, and piloted the Books Without Borders banned-book curriculum, and the challenges and successes they experienced along the way. (Room 501)
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Children’s Book Awards Luncheon
The winners of NCTE’s top children’s book awards will provide remarks. Author, filmmaker, and sculptor Dan SaSuWeh Jones is the recipient of the 2025 Orbis Pictus Award for Outstanding Nonfiction for Children, for Stealing Little Moon: The Legacy of American Indian Boarding Schools. Antwan Eady will take home the Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for his picture book The Last Stand, illustrated by Jarrett and Jerome Pumphrey. And author, poet, and photographer Charles R. Smith Jr. will receive the 2025 Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children for his body of work, which includes the Coretta Scott King Honor–winning book Twelve Rounds to Glory, a biography of Muhammad Ali. (Four Seasons 2/3, Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level, $75)
12:30–2:30 p.m.
Secondary Section Luncheon
Angeline Boulley, the Printz Award–winning author of Firekeeper’s Daughter and an enrolled member of the Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians, will discuss her new YA mystery Sisters in the Wind. (Four Seasons 1, Colorado Convention Center, Ballroom Level, $75)
2:45–4 p.m.
#MakersInTheMiddle—Boldly Dreaming in Middle Grade Literature: The Middle Level Mosaic
In this session, attendees can have conversations with more than 15 authors—including Julio Anta, Daniel Miyares, and Julio Anta—about how middle grade literature is a key component in helping students create more inclusive communities and more equitable worlds. (Four Seasons 2/3, ballroom level)
4:15–5:30 p.m.
Dreams Are Made of Stories: Children’s Book Authors and Education Leaders on Why Story Is the Heartbeat of Literacy
Authors Varian Johnson and Charles R. Smith Jr. join literacy education experts Pam Allyn and Ernest Morrell to explore the role of storytelling in learning and in helping children develop empathy, connection, and courage. (Mile High Ballroom 2B)
SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 23
10:30–11:45 a.m.
AI and Uncertainty: Exploring Principled, Nuanced, and Authentic Approaches to Media Literacy in a Changing World
Educators join Tracee Stanford of the News Literacy Project to discuss the need for AI literacy and offer tips for navigating AI-generated content and using AI tools to analyze news critically. (Mile High Ballroom 2B)
