Your guide to the 9th annual Teen Bookfest By the Bay

John Oliva, Corpus Christi Caller Times
·3 min read

Not sure what to do this weekend with your kids? If they're book lovers, bring them to the 9th annual Teen Bookfest By the Bay Saturday.

From 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Education Service Center-Region 2, young readers can attend the free event with a chance to interact with authors, attend panels, swap books, learn how to draw and more.

The purpose of the festival is to promote literacy amongst teenagers. For more information, visit teensread.org.

An attendee reaches for a young adult book at the 8th Teen Bookfest By the Bay at American Bank Center Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.
An attendee reaches for a young adult book at the 8th Teen Bookfest By the Bay at American Bank Center Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.

Attending authors

  • Kristy Acevedo: Author of "The Fallout." Signings at 9:50 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

  • Robin Alvarez: Author of "When Oceans Rise." Signings at 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

  • Candace Buford: Author of "Good as Gold." Signings at 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

  • Brianna Joy Crump: Author of "Of Cages and Crowns." Signings at 10:40 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

  • Adrianna Cuevas: Author of "Mari and the Curse of the El Cocodrilo." Signings at 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

  • Beth Fehlbaum: Author of "Find the Moon." Signings at 9:50 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

  • Mary Flint: Author of "Red Star: The Hunter Trials." Signings at 1:05 and 3:30 p.m.

  • Lori Freeland: Author of "The Accidental Boyfriend." Signings at 9:50 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

Piles of books rest on a shelf at the 8th Teen Bookfest By the Bay at American Bank Center Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. Readers who attended three or six workshops were able to get a free book or two.
Piles of books rest on a shelf at the 8th Teen Bookfest By the Bay at American Bank Center Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023. Readers who attended three or six workshops were able to get a free book or two.

  • Daniel García Ordaz: Author of "Cenzontle/Mockingbird." Signings at 10:40 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

  • Julie Glover: Author of "Sharing Hunter." Signings at 9:50 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

  • Dawn Husted: Author of "Radiant Origin." Signings at 2:45 and 3:30 p.m.

  • Diana Lopez: Author of "Los Monstruos: Felice and the Wailing Woman." Signings at 1:55 and 3:30 p.m.

  • Matt Marchant (The Shark Guy): Author of "Learn About Sharks." Signing at 3:30 p.m.

  • Marcia Argueta Mickelson: Author of "The Weight of Everything." Signings at 1:05 and 3:30 p.m.

  • Jessica Parra: Author of "Rubi Ramo's Recipe for Success." Signings at 1:55 and 3:30 p.m.

  • Liz Garton Scanlon: Author of "Lolo's Light." Signings at 1:05 and 3:30 p.m.

  • Alissa Karin Shirah: Author of "The Prodigal's Sister." Signings at 1:05 and 3:30 p.m.

  • Jacqueline E. Smith: Author of "Secondhand: And Other Stories." Signings at 10:40 a.m. and 3:30 p.m.

  • R.L. Toalson: Author of "The First Magnificent Summer." Signings at 2:45 and 3:30 p.m.

  • L. Waithman: Author of "The King's Chosen: Blood Ties." Signings at 1:55 and 3:30 p.m.

  • Jason Walz: Author of "Last Pick: Rise Up." Signings at 3:30 p.m.

  • Shawn M. Warner: Author of "Leigh Howard and the Ghosts of Simmons Pierce Manor." Signings at 1:55 and 3:30 p.m.

  • Esperanza Zendejas: Author of "The Tame Cactus." Signings at 2:45 and 3:30 p.m.

Panels and workshops

  • SciFi Encounters with Kristy Acevedo, Mary Flint and Dawn Husted

  • Fantasy Quests with Robin Alvarez, Brianna Joy Crump and L. Waithman

  • Romantic Rendezvous with Lori Freeland, Julie Glover, Marcia Argueta Mickelson and Esperanza Zendejas

  • Thrilling Adventures with Candace Buford, Jacqueline E. Smith and Shawn Warner

  • Real World Exploits with Beth Fehlbaum, Liz Garton Scanlon, Alissa Shirah and R.L. Toalson

Misako Rocks, a manga writer and illustrator, teaches attendees at her workshop how to draw stylized hair for a character at the 8th Teen Bookfest By the Bay at American Bank Center Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.
Misako Rocks, a manga writer and illustrator, teaches attendees at her workshop how to draw stylized hair for a character at the 8th Teen Bookfest By the Bay at American Bank Center Saturday, Feb. 4, 2023.

  • Cultural Experiences with Adrianna Cuevas, Daniel Garcia Ordaz, Diana Lopez and Jessica Parra

  • Let's Make a Comic with Jason Walz

  • Del Mar College's Writer's Workshop: Writing Poetry with Dr. Paul McCann and Writing Fiction with Dr. Emily Stewart

  • Art Relaxation Station: Listen to relaxing music and let your creative juices flow with Martin Middle School's Daniel Ward.

If you go

  • WHAT: 9th Teen Bookfest by the Bay

  • WHEN: 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday

  • WHERE: Education Service Center-Region 2, 209 N. Water St.

  • COST: Free

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John Oliva covers entertainment and community news in South Texas. Contact him at john.oliva@caller.com or X @johnpoliva.

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This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: Teen Bookfest by the Bay: Your guide to the free reading event