Every summer, the Books for Young Readers (BFYR) Conference at BYU Continuing Education (CE) brings together authors, educators, librarians, students, and more, all of whom have a shared passion for literature. Whether you’re a librarian looking for new books to stock your shelves with, a teacher looking for the perfect picks for reading time, or a writer looking to learn about publishing the next great children’s novel, the BFYR is a one-of-a-kind opportunity for a wide range of attendees.
For Mikayla Johnson, a recent BYU MFA graduate and children’s literature enthusiast, who got involved with the conference after a recommendation from her mentor, BYU professor and children’s author Chris Crowe, found more than just inspiration at the conference but also a sense of community. When she was invited to coordinate author hosts for the conference, she jumped at the chance.
“I love children’s literature, and this was a perfect way to stay involved in the field while working with others who care deeply about kids and books,” Johnson said. “This [conference] is like Comic Con for children's literature.”
This year’s lineup featured a rich blend of talent from across the children's literature spectrum:
- Brandon Mull, bestselling author of the Fablehaven and Dragonwatch series.
- Jasmine Warga, National Book Award finalist known for Other Words for Home.
- Ellen Oh, founder of We Need Diverse Books and author of Prophecy.
- Rafael López, award-winning illustrator of Just Ask! and other picture books.
- Nikki Grimes, Coretta Scott King Award-winning poet and author.
- Ann Bausum, known for Sergeant Stubby: How a Stray Dog and His Best Friend Helped Win World War I and Stole the Heart of a Nation.
When asked the goal of the conference, Johnson gave a two-part answer. “One, stay informed about what's current in children's literature, and then two, be excited and celebrate it.”
Tanner Millett, an adjunct professor at BYU and host for the conference, shared a similar sentiment about the excitement that defined the event. “Books for Young Readers brings in authors to present their books and talk about the literary world of young fiction... primarily to librarians and teachers of elementary school, middle school, and high school,” Millett said. “Teachers come from all over the state—and some from out of state as well—to learn more about what's going on in the world of young fiction.”
What stood out to Millett most about the event is how much care BYU CE puts into making the experience inviting and welcoming for everyone, in particular the visiting authors. “One thing Ellen [Oh] said was that when I said I was taking her out to lunch and dinner after I picked her up from the airport, she was like, ‘Oh, usually host just means they pick you up from the airport and that’s it.’ And I was like, ‘No, I’m here for whatever you need.’”
It’s that sense of hospitality and warmth that is embedded in the conference’s structure. “Each of the authors gives a different keynote address, and then they have the conversations with the authors as well. In the afternoon, the attendees would go through a rotation of the different authors. They could do Q&As,” Millett explained. “It was a lot of fun for me to be able to attend each of the keynotes.”
In addition to keynote addresses, Millett spoke of how certain ideas permeated throughout the conference. “There was a bit of a theme between a few of the authors where they were talking a lot about banned books. A lot of them have had their books banned,” he said. “Something else I really enjoyed was more the lighthearted side—making sure that kids have a lot of wonder in their lives. That was something even the people who talked about book banning also talked about.”
Books have the power to shape lives—especially young ones—and this year’s conference highlighted just how impactful they are. Reflecting on the event, Millett said, “It made me really appreciate just how important I think librarians are for kids. A lot of [the authors] talked about librarians as safe spaces for kids, especially those that are very introverted and very quiet.” Thus, it’s through events like the BYFR Conference that the crucial role of librarians, educators, and authors is not only celebrated for the good they do but also reaffirms their necessity in helping children feel seen, supported, and inspired.
For those interested in staying connected year-round, the conference maintains an active presence on Instagram @byu.bfyr and updates its official website at bfyr.byu.edu.