Name: TSDD: Middle Grade Grows Up: Making Room for Young Teen Experiences in Literature
Start: 2026-10-01T13:45:00-0400
End: 2026-10-01T14:45:00-0400

TSDD: Middle Grade Grows Up: Making Room for Young Teen Experiences in Literature

LIMITED

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT

Embassy Suites Buffalo | Salon

Limited Capacity seats available

Are you struggling to find engaging books that are developmentally appropriate for young teens? Where have all the 12-15 year old protagonists gone? They've moved to middle grade, a category traditionally targeted at 8-12 year olds, and its time to talk about why. This interactive session explores the shifting landscape of literature for younger teens, including the recent aging up of middle grade and young adults, current trends, and what this means for readers, writers, and librarians. We'll share standout titles, discuss how these books resonate beyond their target age group, and invite you to join our conversation about common challenges in readers' advisory for young teens.

Speakers

Erica Schimmel

Teen Services Librarian, Arapahoe Libraries

Catherine and Erica work with teen services at Arapahoe Libraries, Catherine as supervisor of Teen Services and Erica as a teen services librarian. As part of their work with ALD, they maintain a robust schedule of booktalking visits with local schools and also manage their district’s... Read More →

Catherine Boddie

Supervisor, Teen Services, Arapahoe Libraries

Thursday October 1, 2026 1:45pm - 2:45pm EDT
Embassy Suites Buffalo | Salon 200 Delaware Ave, Buffalo, NY, 14202

Ticketed - Teen Services Development Day, Collection Development

National Institute 2026

Erica Schimmel

Catherine Boddie

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National Institute 2026

Erica Schimmel

Catherine Boddie

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