About
The International Children’s and Young Adult Literature Section presents a diverse range of readings and workshops. Its activities are intended as a comprehensive initiative for the interactive promotion of reading and the strengthening of intercultural competencies. Thanks to the direct exchange with authors and illustrators from a wide variety of cultural backgrounds, children and teenagers can experience the world in its cultural diversity while reading, discussing, and exploring together. In addition, it is a key concern to introduce young readers to exceptional and courageous positions in children’s and young adult literature both in terms of design and subject matter.
Every year, around 20 international authors and illustrators are guests in the section and present their books, usually as premiere readings. Most of the guests are appearing in German-speaking countries for the first time as part of their participation in the festival. Among the guests of the past years are many of the internationally most important authors and illustrators of literature for young readers, including Elizabeth Acevedo, David Almond, Frank Cottrell Boyce, John Boyne, Chen Jianghong, Kate DiCamillo, Kitty Crowther, Julia Donaldson, Roddy Doyle, Wolf Erlbruch, Manuele Fior, Cornelia Funke, John Green, Judith Kerr, Jon Klassen, Suzy Lee, Scott McCloud, Patrick Ness, Frida Nilsson, Raquel J. Palacio, Maria Parr, Jason Reynolds, Christian Robinson, Meg Rosoff, Axel Scheffler, Peter Sís, Shaun Tan, Janne Teller and Angie Thomas.
The section’s program consists of about 50 readings and workshops. Specials of the program include an opening speech, a retrospective, and a workshop discussion. In addition, the non-endowed literary prize Das außergewöhnliche Buch has been awarded since 2012. Regular cooperation partners of the section include the Freie Universität Berlin, the Universität der Künste, LesArt – Berliner Zentrum für Kinder- und Jugendliteratur, the Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, and the Treffen junger Autor*innen. The Section is a member of the Arbeitskreis für Jugendliteratur.
Information for schools
All information for teachers, principals, and educators at a glance.
Program publication, advance booking & consultation
You will find our current program here as of the start of advance booking (readings starting June 5, 2023, workshops starting June 19, 2023).
Subscribers to our newsletter will be informed in good time about the start of advance sales.
Advance booking and consultation at tickets@literaturfestival.com or 030-278786-66/-70/-72.
Opening hours ticket office
From June 5, 2023: Tue & Thu 10 am – 5 pm
From June 26, 2023: Mon-Fri 9 am – 5:30 pm
Ticket prices*
School classes
€ 5 – readings, per student
€ 10 – workshops, per student
Individuals
€ 10 – full price
€ 6 – reduced **
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* Prices are valid unless another price is indicated for the respective event. Accompanying persons of school classes and accompanying persons of visitors with disabilities have free admission to all events.
** Discount upon presentation of documentation for people up to 14 years of age, people doing voluntary service, trainees, students, trainee teachers, people with disabilities, pensioners, recipients of unemployment benefits, holders of the berlinpass.
Newsletter
You can get the latest information about the section in our newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.
Contact

Head of School Communication
Henrike Schmidt
henrike.schmidt@literaturfestival.com
+49 30 27 87 86 72

Head of Young Program
Christoph Rieger
christoph.rieger@literaturfestival.com
+49 30 27 87 86 71
From the archive
OPENING SPEECHES
Since 2014, the section has been opened with a speech every year.
2014 – Patrick Ness: Every Age I Ever Was
2015 – Frank Cottrell Boyce: Open the Castle Gates!
2016 – Ruta Sepetys: The Eyes of the Future Past
2017 – Meg Rosoff: What Richard Dawkins Could Learn From Goldilocks
2018 – Frida Nilsson: You Are Now
2019 – Elizabeth Acevedo: The One True Superpower
2020 – Sally Nicholls: Writing in a Pandemic
RETROSPECTIVES
Since 2011, a retrospective of a children’s literature classic has been held every year.
2011 – Michael Ende: Momo
2012 – J. R. R. Tolkien: Der Hobbit
2013 – Antoine de Saint-Exupéry: Der kleine Prinz
2014 – William Steig: Eine Maus aus gutem Haus
2015 – Roald Dahl: Danny oder die Fasanenjagd
2016 – Shel Silverstein: Wo der Gehweg endet
2017 – Lucy Maud Montgomery: Anne auf Green Gables
2018 – Astrid Lindgren: Ronja Räubertochter
2019 – Michael Ende: Die unendliche Geschichte
2020 – Maurice Sendak: Wo die wilden Kerle wohnen
2021 – E. B. White: Charlotte und Wilbur
2022 – Lewis Carroll: Alices Abenteuer im Wunderland