Derrick Barnes is the author of the award-winning picture books Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut and I Am Every Good Thing. He is also the creator of the bestselling books The King of Kindergarten and The Queen of Kindergarten. He is a native of Kansas City, Missouri, and currently lives in Charlotte, North Carolina, with his family.

Kate Messner has written more than 70 books, which have sold more than 5 million copies in more than a dozen languages. Her award-winning titles include the History Smashers graphic novel series, the picture book Over and Under the Snow, and the mystery Eye of the Storm. Before becoming a writer, Kate was a TV news reporter and middle-school English teacher. She splits her time between Lake Champlain and Southwest Florida.

Raina Telgemeier is the award-winnning creator of Smile, Sisters, and Guts, which are all graphic memoirs based on her childhood. She is also the creator of Drama and Ghosts and is the adapter and illustrator of the first four Baby-sitters Club graphic novels. Raina lives in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Scott McCloud is the bestselling author of Understanding Comics: The Invisible Art; Making Comics: Storytelling Secrets of Comics, Manga, and more. He is a frequent lecturer on the power of visual communication and the creator of the international 24-hour comic movement. He lives with his family in Southern California.

This event will be moderated by Christina Soontornvat, who is a three-time Newbery honoree. Her highly acclaimed middle-grade books include The Tryout, The Last Mapmaker, A Wish in the Dark, and All Thirteen. Christina lives in Tennessee with her family. 

Want to check out the new books by our featured authors? If so, you can click below to order them.  

Does your child have a specific question for one or all of the authors who will be at our December 4 event? Submit the question and it may be answered at the event.

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