Books and More

With over 2,000 attendees this year, the 2011 Austin Teen Book Festival was the biggest and best ever! Keynote speaker and author Scott Westerfeld was featured prominently this year; his Leviathan trilogy inspired the theme of the day: Steampunk! Here’s the day in a nutshell: 28 authors presented and moderated panels, book sales were extremely brisk, costumed performers and teens rubbed shoulders. Kids of all ages donned hats, goggles, and retro accessories and posed in front of a “green screen” to be photoshopped into some fearsome steampunk scenes. Authors signed books for eager readers for over an hour. Original music was performed for excited book-buyers. Zombies did the “Thriller” dance to the delight of at least 800 onlookers. Sound like fun? IT WAS! Plan to make it next year! For more details on all the authors who attended, see: www.austinteenbookfestival.com

St. Stephen’s students act as special hosts for visiting authors

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Author Heather Brewer shows off a specially decorated book-cookie!

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Author Scott Westerfeld greets some creative types!

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Librarian Nita Shuffler and St. Stephen’s students enjoy the Festival

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Librarian Cynthia Bartek and volunteer coordinator: ATBF is totally volunteer-run!