Sunday, March 29

10:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

Texas Bluebonnet Award Speed Dating

This event introduces 15 of the children’s authors and illustrators whose books made the 2026–2027 award list. Each year, thousands of young readers in Texas vote for a Bluebonnet winner, and the 2026 award went to The Girl Who Figured It Out, a nonfiction picture book written by Indian American polio survivor and wheelchair triathlete Minda Dentler, and illustrated by Stephanie Dehennin. Dentler will not be at TLA. Ticketed event. (Room 361)

11 a.m.–noon

Understanding First Amendment Rights in Texas

The roundtables of TLA’s Black Caucus, Queers and Allies, and Retired Librarians zoom in for a closer look at intellectual freedom in Texas. This panel features advocate Leila Green Little, whose legal battle in Little v. Llano County has galvanized right-to-read organizations. (Room 342B)

12:30–1:30 p.m.

The Power of Story

The TLA Children’s Round Table will host a multigenre panel of children’s authors including Avi, Tracey Baptiste, Nikki Grimes, and Jasmine Warga, with moderator D’Anne Mosby. (Room 370AD)

12:30–1:30 p.m.

Step into Story: Building Community Connection Through StoryWalks

Librarians and early-childhood specialists will explain practical, affordable ways to combine reading and walking in a variety of outdoor settings. (Room 370C)

12:30–1:30 p.m.

Using AI Ethically and Safely: What Libraries and Communities Need to Know

As libraries help patrons navigate new technologies, they must navigate issues of data privacy, fair use, and information accuracy. This session covers the risks of and best practices for AI use among library staff and patrons. (Room 352A)

6–8 p.m.

Evening with the Authors Dinner

Moderated by Bobby Finger, author of We Are Gathered Here Today (Putnam, June), this event will spotlight Sarah Beth Durst, May Cobb, Jean Kwok, Lindsay Linton Buk, and Patrick Ness. Ticketed event. (Room 320)

Monday, March 30

8:15–9:15 a.m.

General Session: John Leguizamo

Leguizamo will open the show with a talk about his picture book, Kiki and the Can, illustrated by graffiti artist John “Crash” Matos and Liz Casal (Orchard, Aug.). The actor’s debut for young readers celebrates Latinx creativity through the story of a young muralist. (Grand Ballroom)

10–11 a.m.

Capitol Update: Texas Legislator Shares Insights on Library Issues

Senator Carol Alvarado gives a preview of what’s to come for librarians in the 2027 legislative session. (Room 342A)

10–11 a.m.

Cultivating Comunidad: Thriving Library Spaces for Latiné Students

Texas is among the states with the highest concentration of colleges and universities federally designated as Hispanic Serving Institutions. This session explores how academic librarians can develop inclusive programming. (Room 380C)

10–11 a.m.

Reality? BRB, I’m Turning the Pages and Tuning Out

Neurodiverse YA authors will discuss fiction shaped by ADHD, autism, dyslexia, and other ways of experiencing the world, for neurodiverse teens and all readers. This panel will feature Soman Chainani, horror author Codie Crowley, debut fantasy author F.A. Davidson, astronaut Leland Melvin, and Randy Ribay. (Room 352D)

10–11:30 a.m.

Black Caucus Round Table Award and Author Session

This session will feature actor Karyn Parsons, creator of the Sweet Blackberry picture book series, and Keenan Jones, author of the 2025 picture book Saturday Morning at the ’Shop, illustrated by Ken Daley. Jones, a former elementary educator who founded the educational nonprofit Literacy for Freedom, will be honored with the 2026 Ashley Bryan Award. Ticketed event. (Room 320)

10 a.m.–noon

Texas Tea with the Authors

This speed-dating round will feature 25 YA creators including Shannon Hale, Jordan Ifueko, and Michael Méndez Guevara. Ticketed event. (Grand Ballroom JK)

11:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m.

The Struggle Is Real: Marginalized Teens in Young Adult Literature

YA authors Rebeca Fox, Gume Laurel, Marcia Argueta Mickelson, Jessica Parra, and Elle Gonzalez Rose will discuss literary representations of teen identities. (Room 351AD)

12:15–1:30 p.m.

Opening Awards and Author Session

The annual TLA Benefactor Award, which is given to honor a substantial donation, will include appearances by Caldecott Honoree Christian Robinson, author of Dad (Balzer + Bray, May), and Maria Semple, author of Go Gentle (Putnam, Apr.). Ticketed event. (Room 310)

1–2 p.m.

Building Essential Advocacy Skills with the Texas FReadom Fighters

FReadom Fighters cofounders Becky Calzada and Carolyn Foote will discuss how librarians can effectively engage with the legislative process. (Room 351AD)

1–2 p.m.

Wired Differently: Empowering Neurodivergent Girls with MG and YA Stories

Authors Sarah Allen, Jackie Khalilieh, Meg Eden Kuyatt, and R.L. Toalson will discuss writing neurodivergent female characters with moderator Courtney Walker of Libraries for All. (Room 352B)

2:30–3:30 p.m.

Advocacy in the Off Season: Preparing for the 2027 Legislature

Authors and librarians will share strategies for political participation and promoting core library values. (Room 342B)

2:30–3:30 p.m.

Letters About Literature Texas

Middle grade and YA author Jasmine Warga will copresent at this session in which fourth through 12th graders will read their prize-winning letters to favorite authors. (Room 342C)

2:30–3:30 p.m.

Truth in Verse: The Power of Real Stories About Real People

Authors Jeannine Atkins, Chris Baron, Rajani LaRocca, and R.L. Toalson will talk about representing historical events in verse form for young readers. (Room 352B)

4–5 p.m.

General Session: Kate Quinn

Quinn headlines the second general session, where she’ll talk about The Astral Library (Morrow, out now). Most of Quinn’s feminist fiction, from the Empress of Rome series to accounts of Renaissance Italy and 20th-century global conflict, mines history. Her latest, set in a magical library among uncannily lifelike books and paintings, is a passionate defense of storytelling and the core values of librarianship. (For PW’s q&a with Quinn, see p. 26.) (Grand Ballroom)

Tuesday, March 31

8–9 a.m.

Borders, Books, and Belonging: A Latinx Perspective

Author Gume Laurel and librarian Margarita Longoria will speak in support of the nearly three million Latinx public school students across the Lone Star State and their access to inclusive books. (Room 352A)

8–9 a.m.

Impact of Book Challenges on Librarian and Student Well-Being

Kimberly Kinnaird and Elizabeth Gross of Sam Houston University, who interviewed school librarians and students coping with book challenges, will share the results of their qualitative study, suggestions for advocacy, and ideas for consulting with school counselors. (Room 370AD)

9:30–10:30 a.m.

Flourishing in the Academic Library: Fostering Student Belonging, Confidence, and Connection

Kate Langan and Juliana Espinosa will discuss their new edited collection, published by the Association for College and Research Libraries. (Room 332A)

12:30–1:30 p.m.

Building Resilience in Challenging Times

Librarians and a mental health professional will assess stressful situations, unsupportive environments, and the safety of underrepresented groups. (Room 370AD)

2:15–3:15 p.m.

General Session: Kate Bowler

In TLA’s third and final general session, the Duke Divinity School professor will introduce her lifestyle title, Joyful, Anyway (Dial, Apr.). Bowler’s literary career took off with Everything Happens for a Reason and No Cure for Being Human, in which she reflected on her stage IV colon cancer diagnosis and her recognition of mortality, with a through line of seizing the day. (Grand Ballroom)

Return to main feature.