CLA Conference 2021

California Library Association Conference 2021 logo is a building made out of book spines and a telescope in black on a blue background. Renaissance: The Library Renewal Virtual | May 11-14, 2021

Graphic of A. J. Sass in yellow circle with cover image of Ana on the Edge in top left and photo of A. J. in bottom right.Graphic of Aida Salazar in light blue circle with cover image of Land of Cranes in top left for the John and Patricia Beatty Award.Graphic of Alan Gratz in red circle with cover image of Refugee in top left for the California Young Reader Medal.Graphic of Alok Vaid-Menom in green circle with cover image of Beyond the Gender Binary in top left and photo of Alok (c) Elvid Hansen in bottom right.Graphic of Blair Imani in brown circle with cover image of Making Our Way Home in top left and photo of Blair (c) Kaelen Barowsky in bottom right.Graphic of Isabel Quintero in pink circle with cover image of My Papi has a Motorcycle in top left for the John and Patricia Beatty Award.Rivers Solomon in purple circle with cover image of The Deep in top left and photo of Rivers (c) Wasi Dniju in bottom right.Young Reader Medal for Meritorious Contribution to Literature for Young People showing a drawing of a reader leaning against the outline of California

The California Library Association is partnering with Once Upon A Time Bookstore to provide books for the featured authors and presentors at the 2021 conference. Select authors are providing signed book plates that can be dedicated to libraries or individuals.

Friday May 14th at 10 am

Trans & Non-Binary Authors Panel

A. J. Sass (he/they) is a writer, editor, and competitive skater. A long-time figure skater, he has passed his U.S. Figure Skating Senior Moves in the Field and Free Skate tests, medaled twice at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, and currently dabbles in ice dance. A. J. lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with his boyfriend and two cats who act like dogs. Ana on the Edge is his first novel.

Find him online at https://sassinsf.com/ and on Twitter @matokah.

Order Books by A. J. Sass

Rivers Solomon (fae/they) writes about life in the margins, where they are much at home. In addition to appearing on the Stonewall Honor List and winning a Firecracker Award, Solomon's debut novel An Unkindness of Ghosts was a finalist for a Lambda, a Hurston/Wright, an Otherwise (formerly Tiptree) and a Locus award. Solomon's second book, The Deep, based on the Hugo-nominated song by Daveed Diggs-fronted hip-hop group clipping, was the winner of the 2020 Lambda Award and shortlisted for a Nebula, Locus, Hugo, Ignyte, Brooklyn Library Literary, British Fantasy, and World Fantasy award. Solomon's short work appears in or is forthcoming from Black Warrior Review, the New York Times, the New York Times Magazine, Guernica, Best American Short Stories, Tor.com, Best American Horror and Dark Fantasy, and elsewhere. A refugee of the Trans Atlantic Slave Trade, Solomon was born on Turtle Island but currently resides on an isle in an archipelago off the western coast of the Eurasian continent.

Find them online at https://www.riverssolomon.com/

Order Books by Rivers Solomon

Alok Vaid-Menon (they/them) is a gender non-conforming writer and performance artist. Their distinctive style and poetic challenge to the gender binary have been internationally renowned. As a mixed-media artist Alok uses poetry, prose, comedy, performance, fashion design, and portraiture to explore themes of gender, race, trauma, belonging, and the human condition. They are the author of Femme in Public (2017) and Beyond the Gender Binary (2020). In 2019 they were honored as one of NBC’s Pride 50 and Out Magazine’s OUT 100. They have presented their work in more than 40 countries. 

Find them online at https://www.alokvmenon.com/ and at @alokvmenon on Instagram.

Order Books by Alok Vaid-Menon

Friday May 14th at 3 pm

Closing Keynote

Blair Imani is a critically-acclaimed historian, social activist, public speaker, educator and influencer. She is the author of two historical books Modern HERstory: Stories of Women and Nonbinary People Rewriting History (2018) and Making Our Way Home: The Great Migration and the Black American Dream (2020). The New York Times praises Blair Imani’s unique “brand combining progressive lessons with vibrant visuals and a perky, quirky delivery.” Her work centers women and girls, global Black communities, and the LGBTQ community. 

Blair Imani educates using a variety of social media platforms (Youtube, Instagram, TikTok) in addition to speaking at universities and organizations around the world. She serves on the board of the Tegan and Sara Foundation, and Muslims for Progressive Values.

Hailing from Los Angeles, California, Blair Imani attended Louisiana State University where, in 2014, she founded Equality for HER, a non-profit organization that provided resources and a forum for women and nonbinary people to feel empowered. Her fearless leadership took her to the front lines of anti police violence protests and, following her arrest at the protests of Alton Sterling’s murder in Baton Rouge, Blair began building a platform and social media presence to organize and create awareness about injustices in Black, LGBTQ+, and Muslim communities. 

Following her meteoric rise to prominence during the uprisings of 2020, Blair Imani was profiled by The New York Times to discuss her daily routine as a historian, social activist, and influencer. A highly sought-after public speaker, Blair Imani has appeared on FOX News (“Tucker Carlson Tonight”) and MSNBC (“The Point”), presented at colleges and universities (including Harvard, Yale, and Brown), spoken at progressive conferences around the world, and has delivered powerful talks and speeches for organizations that include GLAAD, TEDx, and LoveLoud.

Her viral TEDxBoulder talk, “Queer & Muslim: Nothing to Reconcile”, has sparked important discourse about the intersection of the two identities. In 2019, she was proudly featured in New York City Pride’s campaign honoring the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall Riots. From the United States to Germany, Kenya, and the United Kingdom, Blair Imani has inspired audiences around the world.

As an Influencer and historian, semi-retired organizer, and public speaker, Blair Imani is dedicated to making the world a better place and amplifying the voices and work of those fighting the good fight.

Order Books by Blair Imani

Tuesday, May 11, 2021 - 10:00am to Friday, May 14, 2021 - 9:30pm
Event address: 
Books: 
Beyond the Gender Binary (Pocket Change Collective) By Alok Vaid-Menon, Ashley Lukashevsky (Illustrator) Cover Image
$8.99
ISBN: 9780593094655
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Penguin Workshop - June 2nd, 2020

Presenting at Trans and Non-Binary Authors Panel on Friday, May 14th at 10 am

 Back to Top


Sorrowland: A Novel By Rivers Solomon Cover Image
$27.00
ISBN: 9780374266776
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: MCD - May 4th, 2021

Presenting at Trans and Non-Binary Authors Panel on Friday, May 14th at 10 am

Back to Top


The Deep By Rivers Solomon, Daveed Diggs, William Hutson, Jonathan Snipes Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781534439870
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: S&S/Saga Press - August 4th, 2020

Presenting at Trans and Non-Binary Authors Panel on Friday, May 14th at 10 am

Back to Top


An Unkindness of Ghosts By Rivers Solomon Cover Image
$15.95
ISBN: 9781617755880
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Akashic Books, Ltd. - October 3rd, 2017

Presenting at Trans and Non-Binary Authors Panel on Friday, May 14th at 10 am

 Back to Top


Staff Pick Badge
The Moon Within (Scholastic Gold) By Aida Salazar Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781338283372
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Arthur A. Levine Books - February 26th, 2019

Aida will be at the Thursday afternoon Tea Honoring the California Young Reader Medal and Beatty Award Recipients

 Back to Top


Mi papi tiene una moto By Isabel Quintero, Zeke Peña (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Isabel Quintero, Zeke Peña (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9780525554943
Availability: Recently On Our Shelves
Published: Kokila - May 14th, 2019

Isabel will be at the Thursday afternoon Tea Honoring the California Young Reader Medal and Beatty Award Recipients

 Back to Top


Ground Zero By Alan Gratz Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781338245752
Availability: Recently On Our Shelves
Published: Scholastic Press - February 2nd, 2021

Alan will be at the Thursday afternoon Tea Honoring the California Young Reader Medal and Beatty Award Recipients

 Back to Top


Before She was Harriet By Lesa Cline-Ransome, James E. Ransome (Illustrator) Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780823420476
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Holiday House - November 7th, 2017

Picture Books for Older Readers 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


The Skydiving Beavers: A True Tale: A True Tale By Susan Wood, Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen (Illustrator), Timothy Cap (Narrated by) Cover Image
By Susan Wood, Gijsbert Van Frankenhuyzen (Illustrator), Timothy Cap (Narrated by)
$16.99
ISBN: 9781585369942
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Sleeping Bear Press - April 15th, 2017

Picture Books for Older Readers 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Let the Children March By Monica Clark-Robinson, Frank Morrison (Illustrator) Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780544704527
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Clarion Books - January 2nd, 2018

Picture Books for Older Readers 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Patron Saints of Nothing By Randy Ribay Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780525554912
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Kokila - June 18th, 2019

Young Adult 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Staff Pick Badge
Frankly in Love By David Yoon Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9781984812209
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers - September 10th, 2019

Young Adult 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Staff Pick Badge
The Fountains of Silence By Ruta Sepetys Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780399160318
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Philomel Books - October 1st, 2019

Young Adult 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Nevermoor: The Trials of Morrigan Crow By Jessica Townsend Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780316508889
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - October 31st, 2017

Middle School/Junior High 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


The Jigsaw Jungle By Kristin Levine Cover Image
$8.99
NOT AVAILABLE
ISBN: 9780147516237
Published: G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers - May 18th, 2021

Middle School/Junior High 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


The Length of a String By Elissa Brent Weissman Cover Image
$17.99
NOT AVAILABLE
ISBN: 9780735229471
Published: Dial Books - May 1st, 2018

Middle School/Junior High 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Wishtree By Katherine Applegate Cover Image
$16.99
ISBN: 9781250043221
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Feiwel & Friends - September 26th, 2017

Intermediate 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise By Dan Gemeinhart Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9781250196705
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Henry Holt and Co. (BYR) - January 8th, 2019

Intermediate 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Other Words for Home: A Newbery Honor Award Winner By Jasmine Warga Cover Image
$19.99
ISBN: 9780062747808
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Balzer + Bray - May 28th, 2019

Intermediate 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Staff Pick Badge
Drawn Together By Minh Lê, Dan Santat (Illustrator), Dan Santat (Cover design or artwork by) Cover Image
By Minh Lê, Dan Santat (Illustrator), Dan Santat (Cover design or artwork by)
$18.99
ISBN: 9781484767603
Availability: Recently On Our Shelves
Published: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers - June 5th, 2018

Primary 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Sulwe By Lupita Nyong'o, Vashti Harrison (Illustrator) Cover Image
By Lupita Nyong'o, Vashti Harrison (Illustrator)
$17.99
ISBN: 9781534425361
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers - October 15th, 2019

Primary 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Staff Pick Badge
All Are Welcome (An All Are Welcome Book) By Alexandra Penfold, Suzanne Kaufman (Illustrator) Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780525579649
Availability: Recently On Our Shelves
Published: Knopf Books for Young Readers - July 10th, 2018

Primary 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Hair Love By Matthew A. Cherry, Vashti Harrison (Illustrator) Cover Image
$17.99
ISBN: 9780525553366
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Kokila - May 14th, 2019

Primary 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top


Dreamers By Yuyi Morales Cover Image
$18.99
ISBN: 9780823440559
Availability: Available to Order from Our Warehouse
Published: Neal Porter Books - September 4th, 2018

Primary 2021-2022 Nominee

Back to Top