Book-loving middle schoolers trekked to Symphony Space in Manhattan to hear the five finalists for the 2024 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature read from their work, have books autographed, and line up at a microphone to pose questions to the authors. The event was part of the National Book Foundation’s “Teens Read” program, and took place November 19, the day before the winners in all National Book Award categories were presented in a ceremony that has been called the Oscars of the book world. The students—all members of the library’s Mock Newbery Committee—were wowed by the experience. On the subway ride back to school, debate raged over which of the five titles would emerge triumphant. We love to read and talk about books!
