A Night Celebrating Middle Grade Readers

Back by popular demand: a night of book talk, fellowship, and inspiration to celebrate our middle grade readers!

Join four favorite middle authors and graphic novelists for a panel moderated by our children’s buyer, Melissa LaSalle. Think of it as a sleepover with your favorite authors (PJs optional), including a chance to learn the backstories of their amazing books, hear about what they have in the works, consider what works best (and worst) for today’s young readers, and a guarantee to leave with a stack of books you can’t wait to read. A Q&A will follow the 40-minute discussion and the authors will stay to sign and personalize afterwards. The event will be centered around young readers (ages 8-13), though parents, educators, and fellow writers are also welcome!

Your $15 ticket cost will be applied to your Old Town Books account as store credit to be used at the event or later. All attendees, including parents accompanying children, need a ticket. (Parents of children under 12 need to remain on the premises but can choose to browse on the adult side if they don’t wish to attend the event.)

Author line-up: Kate Albus (A Place to Hang the Moon, Nothing Else But Miracles); Megan Wagner Lloyd (Winging It, Squished, Allergic); Laurie Morrison (Where Ella Went—coming April 2026, Keeping Pace, Coming Up Short); Alyssa Colman (Where Only Storms Grow, The Gilded Girl)

About Kate Albus

Kate Albus writes historical fiction for young readers. Her novels–A Place to Hang the Moon and Nothing Else But Miracles–have been recognized by the NY Public Library, Kids Indie Next, Bank Street College of Education, the ALA’s Association for Library Service to Children, and state reading lists around the country. Her next book, The Passage of Jamie Quill, is coming in Spring 2027. Kate lives with her family in rural Maryland.

About Megan Wagner Lloyd

Megan Wagner Lloyd is the Eisner-nominated writer of the bestselling kids’ graphic novels Allergic, Squished, and Winging It, co-created with illustrator Michelle Mee Nutter, and the Super Pancake kids’ graphic novel series, co-created with illustrator Abhi Alwar. Megan is also the author of the children’s novel Haven: A Small Cat’s Big Adventure, the picture book Finding Wild, illustrated by Abigail Halpin, and more. She lives with her family in the Washington, DC area.

About Laurie Morrison

Laurie Morrison is a middle school teacher and the author of six middle-grade novels, including Keeping Pace, Coming Up Short, Up for Air, and the forthcoming Where Ella Went (April 2026!). Her books have earned starred reviews and Junior Library Guild Gold Standard selections, and they have appeared on state award lists and other best-of lists, including School Library Journal’s Best Middle Grade Books and Publishers Weekly’s Best Summer Reads. Laurie holds an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and she lives with her family in Philadelphia, PA.

About Alyssa Colman

Alyssa Colman is an award-winning author who writes heartwarming stories for kids. Her novel, Where Only Storms Grow, won the 2026 American Library Association’s Schneider Family Book Award, the 2026 Josette Frank Award, and is a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. Her other books include The Tarnished Garden and The Gilded Girl, both historical tales with a magical twist. Alyssa is a graduate of Wake Forest University and resides in Virginia.