Illinois Reads and Young Authors Book Festival
will be held on Saturday, April 25, 2026 at the
Tinley Park High School, 6111 175th Street, Tinley Park, Illinois

The Illinois Reading Council is excited to share that we will be hosting a new version of the Illinois Statewide Young Authors Conference at the Illinois Reads and Young Authors Book Festival.  

At the Illinois Reads and Young Authors Book Festival, the Illinois Reading Council will be celebrating the written work of students in kindergarten through twelfth grade along with the Illinois Reads Authors.  All students in kindergarten through twelfth grade, including those in special programs, are invited to participate.  Each spring, schools are encouraged to select their Young Authors who will attend and be celebrated at the Illinois Reads and Young Authors Book Festival.  

The Illinois Reads and Young Authors Book Festival is a fun and free event for ALL families, students, and book lovers and ALL are invited to attend from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  During the Book Festival, the Young Authors, chaperones, and other book festival participants will attend sessions led by Illinois Reads Authors from the 2026 Illinois Reads Book List.  

During the Young Authors Celebration, the Young Authors will be provided a lunch and can meet with an Illinois Reads Author where they can share their book.  Young Authors will also receive their Illinois Reads Young Author Certificate and their manuscript will be officially affixed with the seal as an honored Illinois Reads Young Author.  Please note that all schools must provide chaperones who will accompany their Young Authors attending the Illinois Reads and Young Authors Book Festival.  

Registration and guidelines to participate in the Young Authors Celebration has been delayed until February 1, 2026.  Please note that space will be limited, so plan to register early!

For more information, contact us at [email protected].