Finding Comic Books and Newspapers at the 2023 National Book Festival

This year’s National Book Festival will take place on August 12, 2023, at the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Every year we are treated to the opportunity of seeing some our favorite authors and creators at the National Book Festival. The Festival also includes tables and pavilions with fun activities and giveaways. This year you will be able to learn more about the Library’s collections of comic books and newspapers at the Library of Congress Pavilion, and hear from some incredible authors and artists at the six other stages. Don’t miss your chance to see these presentations at the National Book Festival!

At the Library of Congress Pavilion, Hall DE (Level 2, North Building)

Comics Come Alive! 10:15am-10:45am

“Did you know that the Library of Congress has one of the largest publicly accessible comic book collections in the world? Come see some highlights from the comic book collection and share your interests!”

Finding LGBTQIA+ Hidden History 11:45am-12:15pm

“Historic newspapers are a rich yet often overlooked resource when it comes to studying LGBTQIA+ history. This presentation provides recommended search tips and strategies, focusing primarily on the kinds of unique resources that can be found in our Chronicling America historic newspaper collection.”

In addition to these presentations, you can find a table with more information about Chronicling America* and other historic newspaper collections staffed by librarians from the Newspaper & Current Periodical Reading Room. Our staff will be happy to help demonstrate search and browse features, and answer your questions.

And don’t miss your chance for some hands-on creation of your own at our Zine table!

Comic Book and Graphic Novel Presentations

Me, My Story, My Pictures with Jarrett J. Krosoczka and Pedro Martín, Discovery Stage, 11:40am-12:10pm

“What’s it like to not only divulge the details of your life but also draw them for everyone to see?! Jarret J. Krosoczka’s “Sunshine” follows his experience working at a camp for terminally ill children. “Mexikid” tracks Pedro Martín’s journeys to Mexico to visit his grandfather. Through memorable text and art, we know more about these writers—and maybe ourselves. Moderated by Kahîn Mohammad.”

What If?: Time Travel, Supervillains and Other Everyday Things with Jamar Nicholas and Nisi Shawl, Discovery Stage, 1:05pm-1:35pm

“What happens when magic becomes your everyday? Set in a world where superheroes and ordinary people coexist, Jamar Nicholas’ graphic novel “Leon the Extraordinary” follows superpower-less Leon’s mission to save his fifth grade class from an app that turns them into zombies. In Nisi Shawl’s “Speculation,” 10-year-old Winna embarks on a quest to break a family curse using wish-granting spectacles. Moderated by Megan Halsband.”

Captain America and Alan Gratz: What More Do You Need? Discovery Stage, 2:30pm-2:55pm

“A human, a sidekick and a captain. What more do you need to become a superhero? Alan Gratz brings us a World War II adventure featuring Steve Rogers and Bucky Barnes up against an army of undead ghosts in “Captain America: The Ghost Army.” Hear Gratz talk about superheroes and the real United States Ghost Army unit. Moderated by The Washington Post’s David Betancourt.”

Drawing Yaqui Delgado with Meg Medina and Mel Valentine Vargas, Discovery Stage, 3:10pm-4:10pm

“How do you add faces to characters you’ve never seen? Is it hard to draw a beloved novel? In this program artist Mel Valentine Vargas is joined by National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature Meg Medina. Together they will share how they transformed Medina’s “Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass” into this new graphic novel adaptation. Moderated by Monica Valentine.”