Why We Have YA Summits
Since 2018, a group of YA scholars and enthusiasts have been gathering either in persons or online to discuss the teaching and research of Young Adult Literature. This field remains robust. It continues to grow as many more scholars and teachers realize the value of using YA literature in their classrooms.
Those of us who spent time in the classroom realize that we had students who didn't read what we offered in our fairly traditional selections of literature, yet they read books written directly for them. Many students read volume after volume of large science fiction tomes, dove into the worlds of Twilight, the Hunger Games, or Divergent, or devoured the romances of Stephanie Perkins, Jenny Han, or Sarah Dessen.
What do we do with this awareness that many of our students who can read but don't read what we offer, yet read many other things?
We can keep doing the same old things or we might try to incorporate the books students are interrested in to achieve our curriculiar goals.
This delimma is a long and on going discussion. Much longer than a single blog post.
The 2026 Summit, however, is a place for the energetic discussion the teaching, the researh and advocacy for Young Adult Literature.
Those of us who spent time in the classroom realize that we had students who didn't read what we offered in our fairly traditional selections of literature, yet they read books written directly for them. Many students read volume after volume of large science fiction tomes, dove into the worlds of Twilight, the Hunger Games, or Divergent, or devoured the romances of Stephanie Perkins, Jenny Han, or Sarah Dessen.
What do we do with this awareness that many of our students who can read but don't read what we offer, yet read many other things?
We can keep doing the same old things or we might try to incorporate the books students are interrested in to achieve our curriculiar goals.
This delimma is a long and on going discussion. Much longer than a single blog post.
The 2026 Summit, however, is a place for the energetic discussion the teaching, the researh and advocacy for Young Adult Literature.
How Can You Participate This Year.
The next Summit is happening February 26 and 27, 2026 in an online format. Here is the link to summit webpage. On the summit webpage you can find the Call for Proposals, Conference registration, and information about past programs.
The first step is to plan to attend the Summit. Put it on your calendar and get ready to join the conversation.
The next step is to consider submitting a proposal yourself and help steer the conversation around something that fuels your academic interests.
The first step is to plan to attend the Summit. Put it on your calendar and get ready to join the conversation.
The next step is to consider submitting a proposal yourself and help steer the conversation around something that fuels your academic interests.
Information on the Current Summit
| cfp_summit_2026.pdf |
Take a Look at Some of the Past Authors Who Have Participated as Presenters and Discussants
The Summit has valued the active participation of YA authors. Over the years, the organizers have felt that listening to authors discuss their process and have them listen to the way researchers and teachers adds to the overall discussion.
Authors are valued participants in the summit and they are encouraged to submit their own proposals.
Stay tuned, you just might fined another you are interested in participating in the Summit as the proposals come in and the program is finalized.
Take a look as the authors who have participated in the past. Maybe one of your favorites is listed.
Authors are valued participants in the summit and they are encouraged to submit their own proposals.
Stay tuned, you just might fined another you are interested in participating in the Summit as the proposals come in and the program is finalized.
Take a look as the authors who have participated in the past. Maybe one of your favorites is listed.
It was great fun to look back through the past summit and reminices about all of the authors the summit has hosted in the past. I hope to see you at the 2026 Summit in February of 2026.
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