YAL SUMMIT SCHEDULE
2026 Overview
**Note: all times are in Central Standard Time (CST); all sessions are on Zoom
Embedded Files
Investing, Creating, and Problem-Solving: Building the Next Era of YA Literature Scholarship and Pedagogy
#YALSUMMIT2026
Thursday, February 26th (evening)
5:15-5:30pm Welcome from Conference Co-Directors & Logistics Information
5:30-6:30pm Keynote Talk: E. Lockhart (YA Author)
6:40- 8:10pm Block A Breakout Sessions (Link TBD)
Specific Presentation Details are Forthcoming! Stay Tuned!
Friday, February 27th (morning)
7:45-8:00am Morning Mingle, Welcome, & Logistics Information
8:00-9:00am Block B Breakout Sessions (Link TBD)
9:10-10:10am Block C Breakout Sessions (Link TBD)
10:10-10:30am Break - Go Check out the Digital Posters!
10:30-11:30am Block D Breakout Sessions (Link TBD)
11:40-12:40pm Featured Lunch Session: “So You’ve Got a Banned Book…” Panel with
YA & MG Graphic Novelists: Jeremy Whitley, Bre Indigo, Ben Kahn,
Ryan Estrada, & Kim Hyun Sook w/ Alicia Whitley & Sarah Faison (moderators)
In this panel session, we will hear from authors who continue to write, draw, and create YA and middle grades graphic novels with diverse characters – despite trends in anti-DEI legislation that have led to the banning of their books.
Friday, February 27th (afternoon)
12:40-1:00pm Break - Go Check out the Digital Posters!
1:00-2:00pm Block E Breakout Sessions (Link TBD)
2:10-3:10pm Block F Breakout Sessions (Link TBD)
3:10-3:30pm Break - Go Check out the Digital Posters!
3:30-4:30pm Block G Breakout Sessions (Link TBD)
4:40-5:40pm Block H Breakout Sessions (Link TBD)
5:40: 6:00pm Closing, Wrap up, and Prizes -- oh yes!
Besides Educators, Librarians, & Scholars, we also have these additional YA Authors in Breakout Sessions:
Page updated
Google Sites
Report abuse