Sneak Peek of BookBreak’s Upcoming Bestselling Authors
BookBreak’s virtual author talk program is back this Spring 2026 with more inspirational authors who empower and engage students. Curated by educators for educators, these bestselling authors highlight the impact of connecting with writers at a young age.
Our Spring 2026 virtual author talk lineup is designed to educate, connect, and inspire students!
Below is a closer look at three of the talks coming up for each of the programs. You can see the full schedules for elementary school, middle school, and high school here.
Sneak Peek of Upcoming Author Talks for Elementary Students
Tae Keller (4th-5th grade)
Some stories refuse to stay bottled up. Join Newbery Medal-winning author Tae Keller as she brings When You Trap a Tiger to life. In the story, Lily must navigate magical tigers, family secrets, and impossible deals to protect her grandmother. With courage, cleverness, and a little help from her sister and friend Ricky, Lily discovers her own voice and faces the tiger.
Antwan Eady (K-1st grade)
Join author and dreamer Antwan Eady as he shares Nigel’s Moon, a story about a boy who dreams big but struggles to share his aspirations with others. From astronauts to dancers to superheroes, Nigel’s imagination shines bright, but he struggles to find the courage to speak. Discover how Nigel learns to embrace his uniqueness and share his brilliance with the world in this inspiring tale from a gifted storyteller.
Sarah Mlynowski (2rd-3rd grade)
What if stepping through a mirror landed you inside a fairy tale? Join New York Times bestselling author Sarah Mlynowski as she takes you on a wild ride through Snow White’s story, where poisoned apples, sneaky castles, and unexpected twists put her and her brother to the test. Get ready to discover the hilarious adventures and behind-the-scenes stories that bring the Whatever After series to life.
Sneak Peek of Upcoming Author Talks for Middle School Students
Tony Weaver (6th-8th grade)
Join us for an author talk with Tony Weaver, Jr., author of the humorous and heartfelt memoir, Weirdo. The book is a triumphant story about embracing your passions, overcoming bullying, and becoming the hero of your own life. It follows eleven-year-old Tony, who loves comics and video games, but is relentlessly bullied for it. He tries to change who he is to fit in, but after a traumatic event, he must embark on a journey of self-love to find his true voice. In sharing his story, Tony aims to give every reader the confidence to make it to the other side.
Margarita Engle (7th-11th grade)
In this poetic memoir, acclaimed author Margarita Engle tells the story of her childhood as a girl torn between two worlds: Cuba, her mother’s homeland, and Los Angeles, her home in America. She dreams of her beautiful island until the Cold War intensifies, and a revolution breaks out, making it impossible to visit. The book explores her fear for her family and her struggle to reconcile the two countries she loves as hostility erupts. A winner of the Pura Belpré Author Award, it is a moving tale of a young girl navigating cultural identity and political conflict.
James Dashner (6th-8th grade)
Discover the heart-pounding world of The Maze Runner with #1 New York Times bestselling author James Dashner. When Thomas wakes up in a lift with no memory, he finds himself trapped with other boys inside towering stone walls. Beyond the walls, an ever-changing maze. Escape seems impossible, until the arrival of the first girl brings a chilling message: Remember. Survive. Run. Listen as James reveals how his bestselling series became a blockbuster film franchise and shares insights from his writing career.
Sneak Peek of Upcoming Author Talks for High School Students
Ibi Zoboi (9th-12th grade)
In American Street, Fabiola Toussaint leaves Port-au-Prince hoping for a better life in Detroit. When her mother is detained by U.S. immigration, she’s left to navigate a new city, her bold American cousins, and a high-stakes decision that could cost her everything. The novel, a National Book Award Finalist, was written by New York Times bestselling author Ibi Zoboi, known for Pride, Punching the Air (co-written with Yusef Salaam), and Nigeria Jones, which won the 2024 Coretta Scott King Award. A two-time CSK honoree and editor of Black Enough, Ibi is also a celebrated educator and advocate whose work has appeared in Time, The New York Times, and on major national media.
Yohuru Williams and Michael Long (9th-12th grade)
Don’t miss this author talk with Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long, co-authors of King: A Life (Young Readers Edition). This gripping biography introduces the real Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., who was not just a dreamer but a radical voice for justice. Adapted from the bestselling adult book by Jonathan Eig, it features new research and FBI files to bring MLK’s story to life for today’s readers. Authors Yohuru Williams and Michael G. Long bring decades of expertise in civil rights history and education, making this a conversation you won’t want to miss.
Victoria Aveyard (8th-12th grade)
Step into the world of Red Queen with #1 New York Times bestselling author and screenwriter from Western Massachusetts, Victoria Aveyard. Join us as she shares the story of Mare Barrow, a Red girl forced to live as a Silver princess. Power, betrayal, and rebellion collide in a battle that will change everything. You’ll get the chance to hear Victoria share the inspiration behind her bestselling series and what it means to write about courage, identity, and fighting for change.
How Virtual Author Talks Inspire Student Motivation
Educators know that when students meet the authors behind the books and see writing as a possible career path, they develop a deeper connection to literature.
These connections start in the classroom, where students can see the human side of authors, hear their creative process, and build rapport. Several of our bestselling authors even trace their decision to pursue writing back to an author talk they experienced in school.
This coming spring, introduce students to inspiring new authors and open the door to meaningful conversations. With a new semester comes fresh opportunities to nurture reading and writing skills with BookBreak.
Explore our elementary school, middle school, and high school lineup here to see all the incredible authors we have this fall.
Stay Tuned…