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Black-Eyed Susan Tapestry 2026 - The Fall Edition

October 15, 2026 9:30 AM - 1:30 PM (EDT)

Description

Love talking about books? Join us for BEST 2026—The FALL Edition, a celebration of Juvenile Fiction for upper elementary and middle school grades.  Learn about the Black-Eyed Susan Award and participate, via Zoom, in a half day of small-group discussions of some of the 2026-2027 Juvenile Fiction nominees. 

Zoe Persico, author of How to Talk to Your Succulent, will be our keynote speaker.  

Program check-in begins at 9:25am, and the program will start at 9:30am. There will be two discussion groups, meeting twice, so you can attend both sessions. 

Please read all the titles for each group.

Group 1: Grades 3-5

  • Anta, Julio, and Mendez, Gabi (illus.)—Speak Up, Santiago!
  • Everett, Tiffany—Diary of a Nature Nerd  
  • Hirsch, Andy—Good Boy  
  • Kahn, Ben, and Brooks, Georgeo (illus.)—Mr. Muffins: Defender of Stars
  • Mandanna, Sangu, and Ballesteros, Pablo (illus.)—Jupiter Nettle and the Seven Schools of Magic  

Group 2: Grades 6-8 

  • Algarmi, Wahab—Almost Sunset 
  • Gros, Kathleen—Carousel Summer 
  • Mitchell, Dora M.—The Puzzling Fate of Millicent Graves 
  • Persico, Zoe—How to Talk to Your Succulent 
  • Wolf, Allan, and Pimienta, Jose (illus.)—The Vanishing of Lake Peigneur: A Graphic Novel Based on a True Story

This program has been approved for 8.5 contact hours of continuing education for attendees. 

Group discussion leaders will receive 12 contact hours! All group discussion leaders must first register and pay as participants. 

If you would like to be a group discussion leader, or if you have any questions, contact Joe Farmarco (joseph.farmarco@montgomerycountymd.gov) or Noel Knepper (nknepper@bcpl.net).

Program Pricing:
Members: $30
Non-members: $45
Student* or retired membership: $15

*Note for Students: you must have an MLA Student Membership type, or an ALA Joint Student Membership to qualify for this rate.

Time

The registration deadline for this program is October 1, 2026.

Pricing

Cancellation Policy

We will refund your event registration fee, minus a 7% processing charge, if you request a refund in writing to mla@mdlib.org at least four (4) days before the event date. Cancellation requests received after that deadline are not eligible for refunds, but you may request a credit instead. To request a credit, email mla@mdlib.org before the event starts. All credits must be used within 6 months from the date of issue. No refunds or credits can be issued for requests made after the event has started. 

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Contact Information

Name: Joe Farmarco
Email: joseph.farmarco@montgomerycountymd.gov
Details: Youth Services Division
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