Big Stories for Young Readers:
2026 GBF Showcases Incredible
Line-up of Kids & YA Authors
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The 2026 Gaithersburg Book Festival is gearing up to be a powerhouse for young readers, with an exciting slate of children’s and teen/YA authors taking the stage. Expect fresh stories, big ideas, and plenty of chances for kids and teens to meet the writers who inspire them.
Here's a first look at the authors who will be joining us May 16:
~ Children's ~
 B. B. Alston is the #1 New York Times and USA Today best-selling author of the "Supernatural Investigations" series. His books have been published in more than 30 countries and won numerous awards, including being named the Overall Winner of the Barnes & Noble Children’s & YA Book Awards. A major motion picture is currently being developed by Universal. When not writing, he can be found eating too many sweets and exploring country roads to see where they lead. B. B. will be presenting "Amari and the Metalwork Menace."
 Andrew Auseon is the author of several books for children and young adults, and he is the writer of numerous best-selling and award-winning video games. A transplant from the Midwest, he lives in Washington, D.C., with his family and two very naughty cats. He loves breakfast cereal, the sound of the ocean and the feeling of a brand-new book in his hands. Andrew will be presenting "Spellbinders: Overpowered."
 Tracey Baptiste is a New York Times best-selling author of over 30 books for children. She writes stories for kids of all ages with adventure, history, science and sometimes all three. Her most recent books are the kindergarten superhero book "Super Goat Girl" and the sci-fi adventure "Kid X." Tracey will be presenting the middle-grade fantasy "Moko Magic: Museum Mayhem."
 Derrick Barnes is the creator of The New York Times best-selling companion picture books "The King of Kindergarten" and "The Queen of Kindergarten." His graphic novel, "Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice," was a National Book Award finalist and won many other awards. He is also the author of the critically acclaimed, multi-award-winning picture book "Crown: An Ode to the Fresh Cut," which received a Newbery Honor, a Coretta Scott King Author Honor, the Ezra Jack Keats New Writer Award and the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers. Derrick currently lives in Charlotte, N.C., with his enchanting wife, Dr. Tinka Barnes, and their four sons, the Mighty Barnes Brothers. Derrick will be presenting "Seven Million Steps: The True Story of Dick Gregory's Run for the Hungry."
Nick Bruel is the creator of The New York Times best-selling Bad Kitty series. He lives with his family in Pleasantville, N.Y., along with their sometimes-good-sometimes-bad cats Rose and Noodles. Nick will be presenting "Bad Kitty Gets a Job."
 Meg Cabot’s many books for both adults and teens have included numerous #1 New York Times best-sellers, with more than 25 million copies sold worldwide. Her "Princess Diaries" series was made into two hit films by Disney, with a third movie coming soon. Meg currently lives in Key West, Fla., with her husband and various cats. Meg will be presenting "The Princess Diaries: The Graphic Novel."
 Miriam Chernick is the author of "The Zuzu Secret," her debut novel for young readers. Previously she published "A Kid's Guide to Washington, D.C., Revised and Updated." Miriam is a substitute teacher in her local public schools and a caregiver for her brother who was born with Prader-Willi syndrome, a rare disease. She lives in Maryland with her husband, two clever cats, and Zuki – a bearded dragon – who often sits on her shoulder as she writes.
 Katie Cotugno is the author of more than a dozen books for readers of all ages. She is also the co-author, with Candace Bushnell, of "Rules for Being a Girl." Her books have been honored by the Junior Library Guild, the Bank Street Children’s Book Committee and the Kentucky Association of School Librarians, among others, and translated into more than 15 languages. Katie is a Pushcart Prize nominee whose work has appeared in The Iowa Review, The Mississippi Review and Argestes, as well as many other literary magazines. She studied Writing, Literature and Publishing at Emerson College and received her M.F.A. in Fiction at Lesley University. She lives in Boston with her family. Katie will be presenting "Penelope Positano Sees It All."
 Sayantani DasGupta is The New York Times best-selling author of the critically acclaimed Bengali folktale and string theory-inspired Kiranmala and the Kingdom Beyond books, the first of which – "The Serpent's Secret" – was a Bank Street Best Book of the Year, a Booklist Best Middle Grade Novel of the 21st Century, and an E. B. White Read Aloud Honor Book. She is also the author of "Debating Darcy," a contemporary young adult reimagining of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. Sayantani is a pediatrician by training, but now teaches at Columbia University. When she's not writing or reading, Sayantani spends time watching cooking shows with her trilingual children and protecting her black Labrador retriever, Khushi, from the many things that scare him, including plastic bags. She is a team member of We Need Diverse Books. Sayantani will be presenting "Theft of the Ruby Lotus."
 Lily Berlin Dodd is a California-born, Brooklyn, N.Y.-based writer. In 2022, she graduated from Yale University, where she was a recipient of the Theron Rockwell Field Prize. Her previously published work includes "Search and Rescue," a novella produced for Audible. When not writing, she works in education, including with the literary nonprofit Writers and Artists Across the Country, which sends children's and YA authors and illustrators to under-resourced schools. "The Last Ember: The Aerimander Chronicles Book 1" is her debut novel.
 Craig Kofi Farmer is a Prince George's County, Md., native, with two Bachelor of Science degrees from Towson University and one Master of Education degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. He works in higher education administration, helping students achieve work-life balance and self-actualization. When he's not writing, he's analyzing superhero movies, watching psychological thrillers, and deciding exactly what he's going to eat that day. Craig will be presenting "A Method for Magic and Misfortune."
 Sharon G. Flake is the author of "The Skin I’m In," which has sold over a million copies worldwide and has been translated into numerous languages. Since its publication, Sharon has authored over a dozen books, winning multiple Coretta Scott King Honor Awards; ALA Notable and Top 10 Recommended Books citations, and an NAACP Image Award Nomination, among many accolades. She has been writing books from her home (and Panera) for over 20 years, including "Once in a Blue Moon." Sharon will be presenting "Hattie Mae Begins Again."
 Alexis Frederick-Frost is a cartoonist whose books are distinguished by their vibrant art and whimsical humor. He is the co-author and illustrator of the critically acclaimed “Adventures in Cartooning” series of graphic novels and picture books, and is the author and illustrator of several other graphic novels, including “Makers Comics: Grow a Garden!” His newest series follows the adventures of “Team Unihorn and Woolly,” a group of unlikely heroes who developed special powers after a close encounter with a supermoon eclipse. Alexis has seen both lunar and solar eclipses, but unfortunately hasn’t developed any superpowers…yet.
 John Patrick Green is a human with the human job of making books about animals with human jobs, notably the smash-hit graphic novel series "InvestiGators." John is definitely a multiple New York Times best-selling human author and not just a bunch of animals in a trench coat pretending to have a human job. With over three million copies of "InvestiGators" in print, John is a successful human being with only two hands and a normal amount of fur. He lives in a Brooklyn, N.Y., apartment that doesn't allow animals other than the ones living in his head. John will be presenting "Investigators: Agents of S.U.I.T.: Sew Much Trouble."
 Corey Ann Haydu is the author of YA novels, "OCD Love Story," "Life By Committee," "Making Pretty," and "The Careful Undressing of Love," as well as the middle-grade novels "Rules for Stealing Stars" and "The Someday Suitcase." A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and The New School’s Writing for Children M.F.A. program, Corey has been working in children’s publishing since 2009. In 2013, Corey was chosen as one of Publisher Weekly’s Flying Starts. Her books have been Junior Library Guild Selections, Indie Next Selections and BCCB Blue Ribbon Selections. Corey also teaches YA and Children’s Novel Writing for everyone from kids to graduate students. She has worked with Arizona State University, Rosemont College, Mediabistro and Writopia. Corey's imiddle-grade novel, "Eventown," was published in February 2019 and the YA novel, "Her Stillness," in 2020. Corey’s debut chapter book/early reader series was "Hand-Me-Down Magic." Corey lives in Brooklyn, N.Y., with her husband, her daughter, her dog, Oscar, and a wide variety of cheese. Corey will be presenting "The Ordinary and Extraordinary Auden Greene."
 Erin Entrada Kelly is the author of the Newbery Medal-winning novels "Hello, Universe" and "The First State of Being," which was also named a finalist for the National Book Award. She received a Newbery Honor for her acclaimed novel "We Dream of Space." Erin grew up in Lake Charles, La., and now lives in Delaware. She teaches in the M.F.A. in writing for children and young adults program at Hamline University. Her short fiction has been nominated for the Philippines Free Press Literary Award for Short Fiction and the Pushcart Prize. Before becoming a children’s author, Erin worked as a journalist and magazine editor and received numerous awards for community service journalism, feature writing, and editing from the Louisiana Press Association and the Associated Press. Erin will be presenting "The Second Life of Snap."
 Michelle Knudsen is The New York Times best-selling author of more than 50 books for children and young adults, including the award-winning "Library Lion" (Time magazine’s 100 Best Children's Books of All Time). Other titles include the picture book "Luigi, the Spider Who Wanted to Be a Kitten" (NAIBA’s 2025 Picture Book of the Year) and the novels, "The Dragon of Trelian" (VOYA Top Shelf Fiction for Middle School Readers) and "Evil Librarian" (YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults and Sid Fleischman Humor Award). Her latest is the middle grade fantasy adventure novel "Into the Wild Magic." Michelle lives in Brooklyn, N.Y.
 Carolyn Mackler is the acclaimed author of the YA novels "The Earth, My Butt, and Other Big Round Things" (A Michael L. Printz Honor Book), "The Universe Is Expanding and So Am I," "Infinite in Between," "Tangled," "The Future of Us," "Vegan Virgin Valentine," "Guyaholic" and "Love and Other Four-Letter Words;" and the middle-grade novels "Not If I Can Help It" and "Best Friend Next Door." Carolyn’s award-winning books have appeared on best-seller lists and been translated into more than 25 languages. Carolyn lives in New York City with her husband and two sons. Carolyn will be presenting middle-grade novel "Right Back at You."
 Nilah Magruder is the author of "Creaky Acres," "M.F.K.," "How to Find a Fox" and "Wutaryoo." She has written comics, illustrated children's books and worked as a writer and storyboard artist for animation. Nilah lives in Maryland and spends her free time baking, gardening, and wrangling her dogs, cats and chickens.
 Leonard S. Marcus is one of the world’s leading writers about children’s books and the people who create them. His own award-winning books include "Randolph Caldecott: The Man Who Could Not Stop Drawing," "Listening for Madeleine: A Portrait of Madeleine L'Engle in Many Voices," "Dear Genius: The Letters of Ursula Nordstrom; Minders of Make Believe," "The Annotated Phantom Tollbooth" and "Mr. Lincoln Sits for His Portrait: The Story of a Photograph That Became an American Icon." He lives in Brooklyn, N.Y. Leonard will be presenting "Earthrise: The Story of the Photograph That Changed the Way We See Our Planet."
 Nicole Melleby, a New Jersey native, is the author of highly praised middle-grade books, including the Lambda Literary finalist "Hurricane Season," ALA Notable book "How to Become a Planet," "Camp QUILTBAG" (co-written with A. J. Sass) and "The House on Sunrise Lagoon" series. She is currently on the faculty of the Hamline University M.F.A. program for Writing for Children and Young Adults, and lives with her wife and their cats, whose needs for attention oddly align with Nicole’s writing schedule. Nicole will be presenting "Brady Mason's Perfect Fit."
 Leland Melvin is an engineer, educator, author, former NASA astronaut and NFL wide receiver. He served on board the Space Shuttle Atlantis as a mission specialist on mission STS-122 (2008) and STS-129 (2009), helping to construct the International Space Station. He led NASA Education and co-chaired the White House’s Federal Coordination in STEAM Education Task Force, developing the nation’s five-year STEM education plan. After 24 years with NASA as a researcher, astronaut and Senior Executive Service leader, he shares his life story as an athlete, astronaut, scientist, engineer, photographer and musician to help inspire the next generation of explorers to pursue STEAM careers. Leland will be presenting "Space Chasers: To the Moon."
 Naomi Milliner is the author of "Super Jake and the King of Chaos" and co-editor and contributor to "On All Other Nights," a Passover anthology for middle-grade readers. She created the Authors Book Club for her SCBWI chapter and has served on the Women’s National Book Association’s Great Group Reads committee since 2009. Naomi enjoys mentoring children and adults, visiting schools (virtually or in-person) and reading everything she can get her hands on. She lives in Maryland with her family, countless books and one very fuzzy cat. Naomi will be presenting "The Trouble with Secrets."
 Linda Sue Park, Newbery Medal winner for "A Single Shard" and #1 New York Times best-seller for "A Long Walk to Water," is the renowned author of picture books and novels for young readers. Linda Sue is the founder and curator of Allida Books, an imprint of HarperCollins. She serves on the advisory boards of We Need Diverse Books and the Rabbit hOle museum project, and created the kiBooka website to highlight children’s books created by the Korean diaspora. She lives in Western New York. Linda Sue will be presenting "Just One Gift."
 Tim Probert is an author and illustrator whose work is made of equal parts wonder, magic and adventure, with a dose of monsters and the occasional dinosaur. In addition to making books, he is an art director at Aardman Nathan Love, working on projects for Nickelodeon, Kellogg’s, Coca-Cola, Candy Crush and more. Tim lives in New York City with his wife and two cats. Tim will be presenting "Lightfall: A Place Between."
 Sherri Duskey Rinker is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of "Steam Train, Dream Train" and the "Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site" series (eight picture books and counting!). She is also the author of young middle-grade novel "Revver the Speedway Squirrel" and its sequel, a brand new picture book series that kicks off with "Roto and Roy: Helicopter Heroes," and non-fiction picture book biography "Big Machines: The Story of Virginia Lee Burton," which received starred reviews from Kirkus and Booklist. Burton and her work directly influenced Sherri’s foray into the world of children’s literature. Sherri lives in Chicago with her husband, two sons and one fluffy dog. Sherri will be presenting "Construction Site: Firefight!"
 Dave Roman is the award-winning author/illustrator of several graphic novel series, including "Unicorn Boy" and "Astronaut Academy" (winner of the Black-Eyed Susan book award). He’s worked as a writer on "Teen Boat! Race for Boatlantis" (with John Patrick Green) and as an illustrator for "Goosebumps Graphix: Slappy’s Tales of Horror." Dave teaches at the School of Visual Arts and worked as an editor for "InvestiGators" by John Patrick Green, First Second’s Science Comics, History Comics and Nickelodeon Magazine. Dave draws a webcomic called "Pup & Duck," lives in New York City and can’t resist a coconut soda. Dave will be presenting "Unicorn Boy and the Slumber Party of Doom!"
 Jonathan Roth is an Earth-bound, but space loving, author-illustrator of fun, STEAM-themed books for kids including the graphic novel series "Rover and Speck," which made the American Library Association’s Best Graphic Novels list, and the amazing true story, "Almost Underwear: How a Piece of Cloth Traveled from Kitty Hawk to the Moon and Mars," which was a Kirkus Best Picture Book of 2024 and an ALA Notable Book. He is also in his 27th year of teaching art to elementary students in Maryland.
 Steve Sheinkin is an acclaimed author whose accolades include a Newbery Honor, three Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards, a Sibert Medal and honor, and three National Book Award finalist honors. His fast-paced, cinematic non-fiction histories include "Impossible Escape," "Fallout," "Undefeated," "Born to Fly," "The Port Chicago 50" and "Bomb." Sheinkin lives in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., with his wife and two children. Steve will be presenting "Diamond Fever!: A True Crime Story in the Wild West."
 Amy Timberlake’s novels for young readers have received a Newbery Honor, an Edgar Award, a Golden Kite Award, and the China Times Best Book Award. She grew up in Hudson, Wisc., but now calls Chicago home. She is a graduate of Mount Holyoke College and earned an M.A. in English and Creative Writing from the University of Illinois. You can find her walking on Chicago’s Lakefront Trail on cool, crisp fall days. Amy will be presenting "Rock Paper Incisors: A Skunk and Badger Story."
 Jasmine Warga is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of "The Unlikely Tale of Chase and Finnegan," "A Rover’s Story," "The Shape of Thunder" and "A Strange Thing Happened in Cherry Hall." Her book "Other Words for Home" received a Newbery Honor and Walter Honor, among numerous other awards. "Here We Are Now" and "My Heart and Other Black Holes," her novels for teens, have been translated into over 25 languages. She lives in the Chicago area with her family.
~ Teen/Young Adult ~
 Darlene P. Campos earned her M.F.A. in creative writing from the University of Texas at El Paso and her B.A. in English with a medical studies minor from the University of Houston. She has been featured in School Library Journal, Poets & Writers and Book Riot. She is a co-founder of LatinxPitch, an online event for Latinx authors of children’s literature that helps them match with a literary agent or publisher. When she's not writing, she enjoys reading, exercising and going to museums. She is Ecuadorian-American and lives in Houston with her husband and their eight rescue cats. Darlene will be presenting "The Center of the Earth."
 Sarah Dessen is the #1 New York Times best-selling author of over a dozen novels for teens, including "The Truth About Forever," "Just Listen" and "This Lullaby." Her work has been published in over 30 countries and sold millions of copies worldwide. She is the recipient of the 2017 Margaret A. Edwards Award from the American Library Association for outstanding contribution to young adult literature. Her latest novel, "The Rest of The Story," is now available in paperback. Sarah will be presenting "Change of Plans," coming May 2026.
 Tony Keith Jr. is a Black American gay poet, spoken word artist and hip-hop educational leader from Washington, D.C. He is author of the YA memoir in verse, "How the Boogeyman Became a Poet." Tony’s writings have appeared in the International Journal of Critical Media Literacy, the Journal of Black Masculinity and many others. A multiyear Fellow of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities with a Ph.D. in education from George Mason University, Tony is CEO of Ed Emcee Academy and lives with his husband, Harry Christian III, in his D.C. hometown. Tony will be presenting "How the Boogeyman Became a Poet."
 Sasha Peyton Smith is The New York Times best-selling author of fantasy novels for young adults, including "The Witch Haven" and "The Rose Bargain." Her work has been translated into more than a dozen languages worldwide. She lives in a 100-year-old house in the mountains of Utah, with her husband and (allegedly) two ghosts, though she has yet to see them. Sasha will be presenting "The Thorn Queen."
 Charlene Thomas – a Gaithersburg native and graduate of Gaithersburg High School – is a big dreamer who loves creating characters who are steadfastly determined to change their own little parts of the world. Her debut novel, "Seton Girls," received a starred review from Publishers Weekly, and her sophomore novel, "Streetlight People," received another Publishers Weekly star. Her most recent novel, "It’s You Every Time," has been praised by Kirkus Reviews, Booklist, and more. She attended college at N.C. State University, earned her M.B.A. from Emory University, and has her Certificate in Teaching Creative Writing from The University of Cambridge.
 Lakita Wilson is the author of novels and non-fiction projects for children and young adults, including "What Is Black Lives Matter?," a part of The New York Times best-selling "Who HQ Now" series; the middle grade novels, "Be Real," "Macy Weaver" and "Sparkle;" and YA romances "Last Chance Dance" and "Pretty Girl County." Lakita’s books have been a part of state lists and recognized by the American Library Association. Lakita received her M.F.A. in writing for children and young adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts. Lakita lives in Prince George's County, Md.
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Are you interested in participating in the 2026 Gaithersburg Book Festival?
If so, mark these deadlines on your calendar:
January 15
February 1-28
February 20
March 1
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Official Bookseller
& Partner
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Sponsoring the Gaithersburg Book Festival is a great way to show that you support the community and the literary arts, while gaining visibility with our attendees, who are among the region’s best-read and most well-educated individuals.
Learn more about how to become a festival sponsor.
Email GBF staff to discuss your sponsorship
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Exhibitor Application Window Open
February 1-28
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Whether you’re an author, poet, publisher, literary non-profit, rock star food vendor, or have a business that relates to reading or the book industry…the Gaithersburg Book Festival provides you with a great opportunity to connect with nearly 20,000 book lovers.
As an exhibitor or vendor, you’ll have your own space for the day where you can interact with thousands of attendees and showcase your work, literary-related wares, services and programs.
Applications will be online on February 1, 2026 and will be accepted until February 28, 2026.
Again this year, exhibiting author applications will not be accepted on a first-come, first served basis. Applications will be juried by a subcommittee of the Gaithersburg Book Festival Committee.
All applicants will receive notification of their acceptance or rejection by March 13, 2026. Judging criteria will be included in the application.
All applications for vendor opportunities must be filled out online. No paper copies will be accepted.
There will be a $10 non-refundable fee to apply. The application fee for accepted vendors will be credited toward the total vendor fee.
If you have any questions about the application process for 2026, please email GBF staff.
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High School Poetry Contest Entries Due February 20
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High school students are invited to submit poems on the topic "What is Humanity?" for the Gaithersburg Book Festival's annual poetry contest.
First and second place winners will receive $250 and $100, respectively. Third place and fan favorite winners will receive $50 and $25, respectively. Winners will be unveiled at the Gaithersburg Book Festival on May 16, 2026, at 10:15 a.m., followed by an open mic reading from students and audience members.
To participate, students must be enrolled in grades 9-12 at a public or private school, or be in a homeschool program, for the 2025-2026 school year. Additionally, entrants must reside in Maryland, Virginia or the District of Columbia.
Full contest entry rules can be found on the GBF website.
Poems must be submitted electronically via web by midnight ET on Friday, February 20, 2026.
Up to 12 poems will be selected as finalists and posted on the Gaithersburg Book Festival website prior to the Festival. Finalists will also be asked to record a video of themselves reading their poems, which will accompany their poem in print on Gaithersburg Book Festival website for fan favorite voting. A release will be required.
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Workshop Proposals Due by March 1
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Calling all experienced writing teachers, professors and literary coaches – share your skills and passion for the written word and storytelling as a 2026 Gaithersburg Book Festival workshop leader! We are now accepting proposals from professionals in the literary community to lead in-person writing workshops for adults, teens and children.
We welcome workshop ideas across genres and formats. Past sessions have explored poetry, personal essays, short stories and novel writing, comic book creation, songwriting, and publishing and book marketing strategies.
Whether you specialize in flash fiction or memoir, graphic novels or grammar, we’re eager to see proposals that are specific in scope, age-targeted and designed to engage participants in 45–55 minutes of literary exploration.
The Workshop Selection Committee evaluates proposals based on:
- Teaching experience of the workshop leader
- Topic appeal and relevance to our audience
- Diversity of offerings across genres and age groups
Selected workshop leaders may choose between a $100 stipend or a complimentary exhibitor booth at the Festival.
Proposals are due March 1, 2026, and selected presenters will be notified by early April.
Submit your proposal here.
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