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LOC 2018 National Book Festival Sept. 1

A diverse lineup of authors – including 40 who write for children and teens – as well as readings, trivia, costumed characters and interactive exhibits will provide a wide variety of family-friendly activities at the 2018 Library of Congress National Book Festival.

The 18th festival will be held Saturday, Sept. 1 from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm (doors open at 8:30 a.m.) at the Washington Convention Center.

The event is free and open to everyone.

This year’s festival will include two stages for children’s authors, one for teens and a variety of activities on the Concourse and Lower Level presented by the Library of Congress and festival sponsors. Authors for children and teens appearing at the festival include: Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor, National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Jacqueline Woodson, bestselling author Matt de la Peña and illustrator Loren Long, Girl Scouts CEO Sylvia Acevedo, fantasy writer Leigh Bardugo and many more. Fans of graphic novels will find writers including Roxane Gay (“Black Panther: World of Wakanda”), Ed Piskor (“X-Men: Grand Design”) and Pénélope Bagieu (“Brazen: Rebel Ladies Who Rocked the World”) on the Genre Fiction stage.

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Families can pick up a children’s guide to the festival at the information booth on the Lower Level and both children’s stages to plan a day of activities. The guide, which will also be available online at loc.gov/bookfest, was created by the Mensa Foundation and the Library to provide tips on what to see and do.