Calling all fans of young adult literature: put September as much as you,” says Hernandez. After searching for a new, larger venue, 24, 2022 on your calendar because the Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival (TBF) is back in person!
The inaugural TBF kicked off in spring of 2006, the brainchild of Stephanie Squicciarini, a former Monroe County Library System (MCLS) teen services librarian, and ran every May through 2018. The TBF committee took a year off in 2019, which turned into two years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, they rebounded with an online festival. Now TBF codirectors Olivia Durant, Colleen Hernandez, Caitlyn Stahovic-Barnes, and Katie Smith are ready to rock in person in an all-new location.
TBF’s most recent home was Nazareth College, but even with most of a college campus at their disposal, the festival became so popular that it outgrew that space. More publishers wanted to send their authors every year, and more librarians, educators, and teens came to see them. The teen-centric atmosphere and attending author list drew thousands of fans from New York, its surrounding states, and Canada.
“It’s like a giant book party with hundreds of people who love books just they struck a deal with Frontier Field and “Take Me Out to TBF” was born. “The fact that we will have an entire baseball stadium to ourselves is so awesome!” says Smith. “Frontier Field is a staple in Rochester, so what better way to bring back our in-person festival than in the heart of the city?” “We will have special TBF–themed swag and merch for purchase to go along with our exciting new venue,” adds Hernandez. In addition to the new location, the group is changing the month the festival is held. Traditionally, it was on a Saturday in May, but due to pandemic related circumstances they had to push the date back to September. However, the directors see this as a plus.
“In the past, we would have to ‘compete’ with Mother’s Day, the Lilac Festival, proms, and graduations,” says Stahovic-Barnes. “September doesn’t always have to mean back to school. Now it can mean TBF!”
Despite these big changes, a lot of the tried-and-true staples of TBF will be featured again this year. The opening author panel, individual breakout author sessions, and personal autographing opportunities are all on deck.
Another key promise of the fest is that teens are put first. Priority seating is given to teens at the sessions, and they have special opportunities to participate as volunteers, which gets them closer to their favorite authors. There is a Teen Book Fest advisory board made up of teens who assist the directors with questions like which authors to invite and what kinds of merchandise teens would buy. The Teen Author Panel offers an avenue for teens to be in the festival if they are published digitally or in print —poetry or prose. Anyone who fits this bill is encouraged to contact TBF for an application.
Alumni authors are also ready to come back, like the award-winning fan favorite Amy S. King (Dig). “During the pandemic, I missed a lot of things, but high up on my list was connecting with students at the Greater Rochester Teen Book Festival.ret that TBF is my favorite festival in the country, and I am not alone. I am so grateful to the committee for forging ahead during these uncertain times. I just can’t wait to see everyone again,” says King.
Eighteen authors are expected this year, including Sona Charaipotra (Tiny Pretty Things), Ellen Hopkins (Crank), Falynn Koch (Science Comics: Plagues), Bill Konigsberg (Openly Straight), Claire Legrand (Furyborn), Katherine Locke (This Rebel Heart), G. Neri (Ghetto Cowboy), Michael Northrup (Trapped), Rose Szabo (What Big Teeth), and Vincent Tirado (Burn Down, Rise Up).
As always, TBF is free thanks to its sponsors. You can support TBF by buying books from Hipocampo Children’s Books at the fest or by visiting the TBF page at hipocampochildrensbooks. com. It is important to note that TBF is run completely by volunteers.
“TBF just isn’t possible without the extra help from teen volunteers,” says Stahovic-Barnes. Check out the website or follow TBF on social media to find out how to become an integral part of the fest. The volunteer hours can count as credit towards community service for school, or teens can do it to get an inside look at how the festival is run while at the same time meeting other like-minded teens.
“Where else can a teen go to not only meet their favorite authors but meet other teens with similar interests?” says Stahovic-Barnes.
“TBF is magic,” adds Smith. “You see friendships form in one day and watch teens realize that they aren’t alone.”
“Take Me Out to TBF”
- Where: Frontier Field One Morrie Silver Way Rochester 14608
- Date: Saturday, September 24 Time: 10:00a.m.–5:00p.m.
- Cost: FREE
- Find out more... teenbookfest.org facebook.com/roctbf Instagram: @roctbf