General Sessions

Steve Hofstetter, celebrated comedian, acclaimed author, and Nobel Peace Prize nominee for his impactful charity work within the comedy community, will headline the opening general session of the 2025 AASL National Conference.

"The school library was a refuge for me. It’s where I learned my love for the written word, for clever phrasing, and for a good plot twist. It’s where I explored fictional worlds and researched history to learn more about the one we live in. I want to thank AASL for trusting me with such an important platform."

Hofstetter is the author of Ginger Kid and the newly released Grape Expectations, a bright and funny adventure about Burt Grapington who wants to change the system and be the first ever grape dancer. In addition to providing the conference keynote, Hofstetter is donating copies of Grape Expectations to conference attendees, ensuring that children across the country gain valuable lessons on inclusion, resistance, and support.

[Photo Credit: Taylor Reschka]

We Need Diverse Books (WNDB) will bring together a panel to keynote the Friday general session. Join bestselling authors Soman Chainani and Ellen Oh, alongside school librarian Lauren Mobley, for an inspiring conversation on bringing literature to life for learners. Facilitated by WNDB board member Jordan Lloyd Bookey, they’ll share firsthand experiences of using their works with students, explore how author studies can enhance literacy instruction, and offer practical strategies for engagement.

Panelist Soman Chainani is the bestselling author of The School for Good & Evil series, which has sold over 4.5 million copies, been translated into 35 languages, and adapted into a #1 Netflix film. His book Beasts & Beauty debuted on the New York Times Bestseller List and is currently in development as a TV series.

Panelist Ellen Oh is an award-winning author of children’s and YA books, including Haru, Zombie Dog Hero, Finding Junie Kim, and the Spirit Hunters trilogy. She also edited acclaimed anthologies like Flying Lessons and You Are Here, and is a founding member of We Need Diverse Books.

Panelist Lauren Mobley is a Georgia high school library media specialist and host of the podcast Library on Lock. She is president-elect of the Georgia Library Media Association and an AASL member, dedicated to supporting literacy, student voice, and joyful learning through collaboration and innovation.

Facilitator Jordan Lloyd Bookey is the co-founder of Beanstack, an edtech platform that supports millions of readers in schools and libraries through personalized recommendations and reading challenges. She also serves on the board of We Need Diverse Books and is a passionate advocate for equity in literacy.

The Friday general session is sponsored by We Need Diverse Books (WNDB), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that takes a holistic approach in improving literacy and building compassion by affecting change across the entire reading pipeline — turning diverse manuscripts into published books and then donating diverse titles to readers nationwide. View their vision at: www.diversebooks.org.

Acclaimed author Jason Reynolds will keynote the Saturday general session during the 2025 AASL National Conference in a conversation with author co-chairs Shannon Giles and Mia Gittlen.

Jason Reynolds is an internationally celebrated and award-winning writer of young adult literature. His powerful body of work includes Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks, All American Boys (with Brendan Kiely), Long Way Down, Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You (with Ibram X. Kendi), Stuntboy, in the Meantime (illustrated by Raúl the Third), and Ain’t Burned All the Bright (with artwork by Jason Griffin). He has received numerous honors, including a Newbery Honor, a Printz Honor, an NAACP Image Award, and multiple Coretta Scott King awards and honors. Jason is a 2024 MacArthur Fellow and had served as the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature from 2020 to 2022.

The author general session is sponsored by Simon & Schuster, a global leader in general interest publishing,is committed to delivering the best in fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages across print, digital, and audio formats. With an acclaimed roster of authors and imprints—including Simon & Schuster, Scribner, Atria Books, and more—the company brings impactful stories to audiences in over 200 countries and territories. Learn more at www.simonandschuster.com.

Mychal Threets, the Mr. Rogers of school librarians, will conclude the 2025 AASL National Conference.Threets will record a live session of the Reading Culture podcast hosted by Jordan Lloyd Bookey.

"We [librarians, library workers, library supporters] always fight together. We hear about these things happening all over and we're all in this fight; we're all here to meet this challenge. We all believe everyone has the right to read, and the right to see themselves in that book on the library shelf. Libraries are meant for anyone and everyone."

“The Reading Culture Podcast is where stories come to life, and the love of reading becomes a movement - one conversation at a time,” said Jordan Lloyd Bookey, Beanstack co-founder and host. “We are thrilled to bring Mychal Threets to the AASL National Conference to share his book joy and self-care with school librarians from across the country.”

The closing general session is sponsored by Beanstack, a web and mobile app that helps schools and families track independent reading and foster a strong culture of reading in the classroom and at home. Learn more at www.beanstack.com.