The biggest comic, sci-fi and entertainment convention in the world is almost here... San Diego Comic Con in California!
This year, SDCC takes place from Thursday, July 19 until Sunday, July 22, and Scholastic will be there all weekend with great guests, panels, and giveaways for fans!
You can get the full SDCC schedule at their website here, but you can check out some of Scholastic's highlighted events below. We can't wait to see you there!
Thursday, July 19
Panel: Let’s Get Real about Fantasy with Daniel José Older
- Time: 12–1pm
- Location: Room 23ABC
- Panelists: Daniel José Older (Dactyl Hill Squad), Victoria Schwab (City of Ghosts), Maggie Stiefvater (All the Crooked Saints), Kiersten White (Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales), moderated by Tomi Adeyemi (Children of Blood and Bone).
- Description: Do you love twisted fairytales, ghosts in Scotland, a sleeping Welsh King, Orishan gods and wait for it...dinosaurs set in the Civil War? Yes you do! This awesome panel of middle grade and young adult authors discuss their craft in literature.
Panel: Finding the Comfort in the Apocalypse
- Time: 1–2pm
- Location: Room 32AB
- Panelists: Emily Suvada (This Mortal Coil), Cory Doctorow (Walkaway), Elizabeth Hand (Fire), Douglas Holgate (Clem Hetherington and the Ironwood Race), Andrew Smith (Rabbit & Robot), and Scott Westerfeld (Impostors) discuss approaches with Adron Buske (Fictitious podcast).
- Description: Some apocalyptic or dystopian novels allow people to explore larger issues (or serve as a reminder of the threats facing society). Meanwhile others serve up a heavy dose of humor to remind people that surviving the unthinkable is possible and maybe things aren't as bad in real life. Whether horrifying or humorous, the novels that paint a picture of a grim future can be surprisingly comforting and fun for both author and reader alike.
Signing: Let’s Get Real about Fantasy
- Time: 1:15–2:15pm
- Location: Autograph Area, Table 7
- Authors: Daniel José Older (Dactyl Hill Squad), Victoria Schwab (City of Ghosts), Maggie Stiefvater (All the Crooked Saints), Kiersten White (Beanstalker and Other Hilarious Scarytales)
Signing: Finding the Comfort in the Apocalypse
- Time: 2:30–3:30pm
- Location: Autograph Area, Table 9
- Authors: Scott Westerfeld (Impostors), Shaun Barger (Mage Against the Machine), Cory Doctorow (Walkaway), Elizabeth Hand (Fire), Douglas Holgate (Clem Hetherington and the Ironwood Race), Rebecca Roanhorse (Trail of Lightning), Andrew Smith (Rabbit & Robot)
Signing: Superstars in Children’s Graphic Novels
- Time: 4–5pm
- Location: Autograph Area, Table 7
- Authors: Raina Telgemeier (Smile), Aron Steinke (Mr. Wolf’s Class), Molly Ostertag (The Witch Boy), Jeff Smith (Bone), Ian Boothby (Sparks!), and Gale Galligan (Baby-sitters Club Graphix)
Panel: Superstars in Children’s Graphic Novels
- Time: 5:30–6:30pm
- Location: Room 26AB
- Moderated by Raina Telgemeier (Smile)
- Panelists: Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Hey, Kiddo) Aron Steinke (Mr. Wolf’s Class), Molly Ostertag (The Witch Boy), Jeff Smith (Bone), Ian Boothby (Sparks!), and Gale Galligan (Baby-sitters Club Graphix)
- Description: Hear from an award-winning lineup of children’s book and graphic novel superstars as they discuss how they create the heroes, characters, and books that kids love.
Friday, July 20
Meet the Makers: Kids Comics Extravaganza
- Time: 11am–12pm
- Location: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Public Library, 330 Park Blvd
- Description: Join comic artists and writers Aron Steinke (Mr. Wolf’s Class), Jennifer Holm (Miss Communication: Babymouse Tales From the Locker), Jordan Crane (We Are All Me), Heidi Arnhold (Cottons) to learn the process of making a graphic novel.
Girl Power Comics: Middle Grade Fiction for Girls (And Boys)
- Time: 12pm–1pm
- Location: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Public Library, 330 Park Blvd
- Description:The authors behind some of your favorite middle grade graphic fiction discuss creating stories with strong, positive female characters, and the importance of overcoming the lingering perception that comics are only for boys. Our panel features: Molly Ostertag (The Hidden Witch), Jennifer and Matt Holm (Sunny Side Up), Gigi Digi (Cucumber Quest: The Melody Kingdom), Yehudi Mercado (Sci-Fu).
Autobiography in Graphic Novels
- Time: 3–4pm
- Location: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Public Library, 330 Park Blvd
- Description: Popular graphic novelists discuss creating autobiography and memoir in children’s graphic novels. Hear how these authors turned their experience in comic in an in-depth conversation between award-winning, bestselling creators. Featuring Raina Telgemeier (Smile; Ghosts), Jarrett J. Krosoczka (Hey, Kiddo), Mariko Tamaki (This One Summer; Lumberjanes), and Tillie Walden (Spinning). Moderated by Brigid Alverson (Publishers Weekly).
Dinosaurs to Dystopia: Building Worlds in Books
- Time: 4–5pm
- Location: Room 29AB
- Description: Bestselling middle grade and young adult authors discuss how they create wild worlds in the past, present, and future. What role does setting play in a story, and how does a fictional world become a character of its own? Featuring Daniel José Older (Dactyl Hill Squad; Shadowshaper), Scott Westerfeld (Impostors), and Victoria Schwab (City of Ghosts). Moderated by Kelly Chiu (Children’s Librarian, Santa Clara Library).
Saturday, July 21
Graphic Novels to Help Cope with Bullying
- Time: 10–11am
- Location: Shiley Special Events Suite, San Diego Central Public Library, 330 Park Blvd
- Description: Authors and educators discuss the fact that, despite nerd culture being at the forefront of the modern zeitgeist, many young lovers of science fiction, fantasy, gaming, and other fandoms often feel isolated in their school community. These artists and educators will explore which comics exist that not just represent bullying but offer solace and solutions to kids who are actively dealing with it: Molly Ostertag (The Hidden Witch), Raina Telgemeier (Smile; Ghosts), Christina "Steenz" Stewart (Archival Quality), and Derek Heid (English/drama teacher, Temecula Valley High School). Moderated by Tom Racine (Tall Tale Radio).
Signing: Jedi Academy
- Time: 10:30–11:30am
- Location: LucasFilm Booth #2913-I
- Author: Jarrett J. Krosoczka
Signing: 20 Years of Magic
- Time: 11am–12:30pm
- Location: Autograph Area, Table 19
- Authors: Jim Kay (Harry Potter Illustrated Editions), Kazu Kibuishi (Harry Potter 15 Anniversary edition cover artist), Brian Selznick (20th Anniversary edition cover artist)
Panel: Fantasy Literature
- Time: 12–1pm
- Location: Room 28DE
- Panelists: Maggie Stiefvater (All The Crooked Saints), Victoria Schwab (City of Ghosts), Livia Blackburne (Midnight Thief series), Kevin Hearne (Iron Druid series), and Laini Taylor (Daughter of Smoke and Bone series).
- Description: Learn about writing fantasy novels, publishing, and book-to-movie adaptations from New York Times bestselling authors. Moderated by Henry Herz (Alice’s Magic Garden).
Panel: 20 Years of Magic: Inside Harry Potter
- Time: 3–4pm
- Location: Room 6DE
- Description & Panelists: Hear from the artists and editor who brought Harry Potter to life. Featuring Jim Kay (Harry Potter Illustrated Editions), Kazu Kibuishi (Harry Potter 15 Anniversary edition cover artist), Brian Selznick (20th Anniversary edition cover artist), Arthur A. Levine (Editor of Harry Potter) and David Saylor (Art Director of Harry Potter) as they discuss their process and inspirations working on the most magical books of all time. Featuring a special message from Mary GrandPré, the original U.S. Harry Potter illustrator. Moderated by Melissa Annelli (Harry, A History).
Signing: 20 Years of Magic
- Time: 4:30–5:50pm
- Location: Autograph Area, Table 18
- Authors: Jim Kay (Harry Potter Illustrated Editions), Kazu Kibuishi (Harry Potter 15 Anniversary edition cover artist), Brian Selznick (20th Anniversary edition cover artist)
Sunday, July 22
Panel: 1, 2, 3, ... 20?! How to Create (and Survive) a Successful Graphic Novel Series
- Time: 1–2pm
- Location: Room 11
- Panelists: Jenni Holm, Matt Holm (Swing It, Sunny), Raina Telgemeier (Smile; Ghosts), Molly Ostertag (The Hidden Witch), Judd Winnick (Hilo)
- Descritpion: Making a graphic novel is a lot of work. But keeping a series going poses its own creative challenges. Please join bestselling comics creators to discuss the trials and tribulations of creating a series. Moderated by Rose Brock (San Houston State University).
Panel: Kids' Comics Live Drawing
- Time: 1:30–2:30pm
- Location: Room 23ABC
- Panelists: Matt Loux (The Time Museum), Chad Sell (The Cardboard Kingdom), Nilah Magruder (How to Find a Fox), and Douglas Holgate (Clem Hetherington and the Ironwood Race)
- Descritpion: Panelists will do a live drawing guided by suggestions from kids in the audience. See comic art created in realtime, and learn about drawing for comics.
San Diego Comic Con
