International Children’s and Young Adult Literature

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.

You can get the latest information about the section in our newsletter, which you can subscribe to here.