Adirondack Family Book Festival
Showing young people a view of the world as a kind and good place
About the project
“I can’t imagine a more perfect day. I came with my 14- and 12-year-old kids and husband. I was so impressed with the lineup from the perspective of social justice, environmental activism, and gender inclusivity. The authors were role models and leaders, showing young people a view of the world as a kind and good place.” —Joanna Roberston, Owner/Educator of The Treehouse Reading and Arts Center
The Adirondack Family Book Festival (AFBF) is an annual community event, presented by John Brown Lives! (JBL!), that cultivates an expansive sense of belonging and safety, of well-being, connectedness, and the joy of reading. Over 700 people attended the inaugural festival in August 2022, where, in the unhurried and natural setting of the John Brown Farm State Historic Site in Lake Placid, NY, kids, parents and guardians, librarians and school educators, and readers of all ages heard from and mingled with beloved children’s and YA authors and illustrators, Newbery and Caldecott honorees and New York Times bestsellers among them.
Join us in making the next Adirondack Family Book Festival another “perfect day”! The second annual AFBF will be held on August 19, 2023, again at John Brown Farm, and we are honored to feature 15 richly diverse and representative authors and illustrators, including four local to our region. Your contributions will help JBL! keep this event free and open to all and enable us to provide our participants and attendees with the best of Adirondack hospitality.
The Steps
Your thoughtful and generous support is helping to make the Adirondack Family Book Festival an annual tradition in our community. Join in the fun and joy of reading.
Meet renowned local and national authors of children’s and YA literature. Hear them read from their latest works, discuss their craft, and answer your questions.
Meander through our Story Walk® as you soak in the tranquility of John Brown Farm.
Enjoy hands-on arts activities geared toward children and fun for all.
Peruse the titles of our presenting authors and go home with a new collection of books, signed by the authors!
Invite family, friends and neighbors to share the day with you—make it a picnic of words!
Get inspired!
Why we‘re doing it
With boundless thanks to our organizing committee and community volunteers, the Adirondack Family Book Festival is helping to build community, enrich our children and strengthen intergenerational relationships. We are expanding the meaning of “family” with literacy, belonging, and joy at its core.
“I wasn’t kidding when I said it was one of the best book festivals I’ve been to, but after talking to some others on Saturday, I’m thinking it’s actually THE best one I’ve been to.” —Tracey Baptiste, author of Looking for a Jumbie
“What a wonderful festival! Thank you so much for all your hard work hosting it—it was my honor to be part of it! It was truly a beautiful event and weekend.” —Rajani LaRocca, author of The Secret Code Inside You
“What a fabulous time connecting with readers, educators, booksellers, and authors. Truly the best book festival I’ve ever attended.” —Maxwell Eaton III, author of Bear Builds a House
“The Adirondack Family Book Festival at John Brown Farm was an inspiring day. There was a powerful line-up of authors and illustrators, with multicultural and multi-gender backgrounds. This made for rich presentations and discussions. … It was wonderful to see so many families, of all ages, and to have the teenagers involved in presenting the speakers, taking photographs, and helping in other ways. The alternative activities were family friendly and enjoyed by many.” —Sue N., Raquette Lake, NY