According to PEN America, nearly 900 different books were banned in the first part of the 2022-2023 school year. Libraries are also facing book challenges, with children's literature being a common target. With so much contention about what kids read, why should authors consider writing for teens and young readers? Join children's authors Heather Murphy Capps and Meg Kuyatt Eden for a frank discussion of the current state of kidlit, the unique joys and challenges of writing for readers in this age category, and why children still need books about a wide variety of characters, topics, and life experiences.
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HEATHER MURPHY CAPPS writes Upper Middle-Grade books about history, social justice, science, & magic. She is a mother of two and an education equity activist. As a biracial author, Heather is passionate about creating diversity in publishing. Her critically acclaimed debut novel, Indigo and Ida, has been called “moving and inspiring,” received two starred reviews, made Booklist's 2023 "Top 10 First Novels for Youth," and was a finalist in the Jane Addams 2024 Children's Book Awards. Her next book, The Rule Of Three (Lerner/Carolrhoda Books) published in August 2024.

MEG EDEN KUYATT teaches creative writing at colleges and writing centers. She is the author of the 2021 Towson Prize for Literature winning poetry collection “Drowning in the Floating World” and children’s novels including a 2024 ALA Schneider Family Book Award Honor “Good Different,” and the forthcoming “The Girl in the Wall” (Scholastic, 2025). Find her online here.