Eighth grader Drew Ellis is no stranger to the saying “You have to work twice as hard to be just as good.” His grandmother has reminded him his entire life. But what if he works ten times as hard and still isn’t afforded the same opportunities that his privileged classmates at the Riverdale Academy Day School take for granted?' Jerry Craft's New Kid is the only book in history to win the John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature; the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature, and the Coretta Scott King Author Award for the most outstanding work by an African American writer.

Did you know that Gene Yang’s “American Born Chinese” was the first graphic novel nominated for the National Book Award (it was a finalist!)? And that Gene became the National Ambassador for Children’s Literature? You won’t want to miss Gene’s epic presentation as he takes you through his world of graphic novels, comics, storytelling, and how to make your voice heard in the world. A must for any kids who loves graphic novels.

Facing a world dually-altered by climate change and those who profit from it, Yolanda Cicerón will have to fight to save the last known beehive from extinction in this stirring new adventure. While life in the Valley is brutal and harsh, Yoly dreams of leaving her farm to live in Silo—the most advanced town for miles around. Can the last surviving beehive be the key to pulling the Valley out from under Silo’s thumb, or will they destroy what remains of Yoly’s future?

No one does horror like Lamar Giles and Tiffany Jackson. Their latest books, The Getaway, and The Weight of Blood, respectively, bring YA horror into the current age. Racism, classism, bullying, self-doubt. What’s more dangerous: the monster you know in your home or the unknown nightmare outside the walls?

For Young Adults Only

Did you know that in 1953, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts became one of the first museums in the world to have an Artmobile, and now it’s here at the VCBF? Stop in and see the incredible traveling exhibit of portraits from across the ages. from long ago to the modern day. How have portraits changes? How would you paint YOUR portrait? How would you paint someone else’s? Come be inspired with this very special program. We can’t wait!

Draw and interact with Jerry as he shares the process of creating the characters from his book, “The Offenders: Saving the World While Serving Detention!” Together you will make a list of the ways that kids bully each other and why. Kids are actually having fun while they are learning how their behavior can have a real impact on their classmates, either positive or negative. **Very limited seating

No one does horror like Lamar Giles and Tiffany Jackson. Their latest books, The Getaway, and The Weight of Blood, respectively, bring YA horror into the current age. Racism, classism, bullying, self-doubt. What’s more dangerous: the monster you know in your home or the unknown nightmare outside the walls?

For Young Adults Only

Did you know that Gene Yang’s “American Born Chinese” was the first graphic novel nominated for the National Book Award (it was a finalist!)? And that Gene became the National Ambassador for Children’s Literature? You won’t want to miss Gene’s epic presentation as he takes you through his world of graphic novels, comics, storytelling, and how to make your voice heard in the world. A must for any kids who loves graphic novels.

DescFacing a world dually-altered by climate change and those who profit from it, Yolanda Cicerón will have to fight to save the last known beehive from extinction in this stirring new adventure. While life in the Valley is brutal and harsh, Yoly dreams of leaving her farm to live in Silo—the most advanced town for miles around. Can the last surviving beehive be the key to pulling the Valley out from under Silo’s thumb, or will they destroy what remains of Yoly’s future? ription goes here

A fresh start. That's all Evan Pao wants as he, along with his mother and sister, flee from California to Haddington, Virginia. But Haddington is a southern town steeped in tradition, and the past has its own price. Brady Griggs makes sure that as a Chinese American, Evan doesn’t belong. When Evan finds a way to make himself part of the school's annual Civil War celebration, the reaction is swift and violent. Evan must decide whether he will react with the same cruelty shown to him, or choose a different path.

Did you know that in 1953, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts became one of the first museums in the world to have an Artmobile, and now it’s here at the VCBF? Stop in and see the incredible traveling exhibit of portraits from across the ages. from long ago to the modern day. How have portraits changes? How would you paint YOUR portrait? How would you paint someone else’s? Come be inspired with this very special program. We can’t wait!

What makes a horror story so scary? Is it the environment? The setting? The characters? The narrator? The ending? Just what plot devices to you use to scare someone and keep them scared? Join masters of horror Lamar Giles, Tiffany Jackson, and Dan Poblocki for this incredible writing workshop.

Are you good at cards? For Anthony, who is finally old enough to play in the spades tournament every Joplin Man before him seems to have won, it’s about how he'll measure up to his father's expectations. How far will he go to win? Explore the book AND participate in a spades tournament with award-winning author, Varian Johnson.

Sometimes the best ideas and the best talk come when we are playing a game. Sports are more than just a way to break the ice. They are a way to interact, to spur being social, to solve problems, to connect. Phil and Pablo want to connect with kids through sports, to talk about books, and life, and friends, and dreams. So come play basketball!

Join award-winning graphic novelists LeUyen Pham, Johnny Marciano, Jerry Craft, Gene Yang, Vera Brosgol, and more to find out just what makes graphic novels so good and hard to put down. Do you love to read them? Write them? Draw them? Graphic novels have exploded, and the phenomenon isn’t going anywhere. Don’t miss this interactive and informative session with the best in the business!

The VCBF LIVEmural is back, and this year our muralist Monty Montgomery is working with award-winning illustrator Corinna Luyken to design a colorful and fun mural that you get to paint! Don’t miss your chance to leave your mark on the 2022 VCBF by helping create this magical mural.

Did you know that in 1953, the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts became one of the first museums in the world to have an Artmobile, and now it’s here at the VCBF? Stop in and see the incredible traveling exhibit of portraits from across the ages. from long ago to the modern day. How have portraits changes? How would you paint YOUR portrait?