By Sai Sailaja Seshadri

Staff Writer

@saisailu97

North Texas will be hosting its very own teen book festival for the first time. On Saturday, the Irving Public Library and Half Price Books, along with their sponsors, will be hosting the event at the Irving Convention Center.

From 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., visitors will be allowed to meet over 40 middle school and young adult authors, purchase books and have them signed. The authors who will be present include Ally Carter, David Levithan, Jenny Han, Stephanie Perkins, Jennifer E. Smith and many more.

There will be different activities throughout the day, such as “Speed date with a book,” which will be followed by book signing by authors. Visitors are allowed to bring books from home to get signed. However, for every three books brought from home, one must be purchased at the event.

Coppell High School librarian Jennifer Sullivan thinks the event will be a huge success and a great way to encourage kids to read more.

“The is the first time we are having a teen book festival in this part of Texas,” Sullivan said. “There will be almost 50 award-winning authors there, and some other authors who were not able to make it this time are already signing up to be present for the next book festival.”

Parking is $5 and entry to the event is free. For more information, you can visit the event’s website here or contact a local Irving Public Library.

“It will be a great way for fans to meet the authors they love, and for authors to meet the fans that they write for,” Sullivan said.