2012 National Book Festival

Sheryl Cannady from the Library of Congress speaks with author Jeff Kinney, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22-23, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyJeff Kinney is the author of the bestselling and award-winning Diary of a Wimpy Kid series, which has more than 75 million copies in print worldwide. The seventh book in the series is “Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Cabin Fever.” Kinney says he knew he wanted to be a cartoonist from the early 1990s, when he attended the University of Maryland.

Sheryl Cannady from the Library of Congress speaks with Wendy Cumberland of the Junior League of Washington, which has volunteered at the Library of Congress National Book Festival since its inception.BiographyWendy Cumberland is president of the Junior League of Washington.

Sheryl Cannady from the Library of Congress speaks with author Stephen L. Carter, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyStephen L. Carter is the William Nelson Cromwell Professor of Law at Yale University, where he has taught for almost 30 years. He is also the author of seven acclaimed works of nonfiction and three best-selling novels. He has a law degree from Yale and clerked for Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall. Carter’s first novel, “The Emperor of Ocean Park,” spent 11 weeks on The New York Times best-seller list in 2002. His fifth and latest novel is “The Impeachment of Abraham Lincoln.”

Roberta Shaffer from the Library of Congress speaks with author Walter Isaacson, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyWalter Isaacson is the president and CEO of the Aspen Institute, a nonpartisan educational and policy studies organization based in Washington. He has been the chairman and CEO of CNN and the editor of Time magazine. His best-selling books include “Einstein: His Life and Universe,” “Benjamin Franklin: An American Life,” Kissinger: A Biography” and, most recently, “Steve Jobs” (Simon & Schuster), his biography of the visionary former head of Apple Computer. Isaacson is also chairman of the board of Teach for America, which recruits recent college graduates to teach in underserved communities.

Sheryl Cannady from the Library of Congress speaks with author Michael Connelly, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyMichael Connelly, who has sold more than 45 million books worldwide, decided to become a writer after discovering the books of Raymond Chandler while attending the University of Florida. After graduating in 1980, Connelly worked at newspapers in Florida, specializing in the crime beat. He has also been a crime reporter for the Los Angeles Times. After three years on the crime beat in Los Angeles, Connelly began writing his first novel to feature LAPD Detective Hieronymus Bosch. The novel, “The Black Echo,” won the Edgar Award for Best First Novel. Connelly’s new novel is “The Drop,” featuring Harry Bosch.

Sheryl Cannady from the Library of Congress speaks with author R.L. Stine, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyR.L. Stine has sold more than 350 million books, making him one of the best-selling children’s authors in history. When he was 9, R.L. found an old typewriter in the attic. That discovery changed his life. He carried it down to his room and started typing stories and little joke books. His Goosebumps series began in 1992. The series quickly became a hit around the world and has been translated into 32 languages. Stine’s new book is “Goosebumps Most Wanted #1: Planet of the Lawn Gnomes.”

Francisco Macias from the Library of Congress speaks with artist Rafael López, who illustrated the poster for the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival and will appear there on Sept. 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyThis year’s Library of Congress National Book Festival poster artist is Rafael López, whose work is a fusion of strong, colorful graphic style and magical symbolism. Growing up in Mexico City, Lopez was immersed in the rich cultural heritage and native color of street life. Influenced by Mexican surrealism and myths, he developed a style with roots in these traditions. His illustrations for Book Fiesta!, written by Pat Mora, were the recipient of the 2010 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award given by the American Library Association to honor work that best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children’s books. The 2011 stamps he created for the U.S. Postal Service celebrated Latin music legends Celia Cruz, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Selena.

Francisco Macias from the Library of Congress speaks with artist Rafael López, who illustrated the poster for the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival and will appear there on Sept. 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyThis year’s Library of Congress National Book Festival poster artist is Rafael López, whose work is a fusion of strong, colorful graphic style and magical symbolism. Growing up in Mexico City, Lopez was immersed in the rich cultural heritage and native color of street life. Influenced by Mexican surrealism and myths, he developed a style with roots in these traditions. His illustrations for Book Fiesta!, written by Pat Mora, were the recipient of the 2010 Pura Belpré Illustrator Award given by the American Library Association to honor work that best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in children’s books. The 2011 stamps he created for the U.S. Postal Service celebrated Latin music legends Celia Cruz, Carlos Gardel, Carmen Miranda, Tito Puente and Selena.

Francisco Macias from the Library of Congress speaks with author Sandra Cisneros, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographySandra Cisneros has worked as a teacher and a counselor to high school dropouts, an instructor of creative writing, a college recruiter, an arts administrator and as a visiting writer at several universities, including the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Her books include two poetry collections, “Bad Boys” and “My Wicked Wicked Ways”; a short story collection, “Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories”; and the novels “The House on Mango Street” and “Carame

Francisco Macias from the Library of Congress speaks with author Sandra Cisneros, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22 on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographySandra Cisneros has worked as a teacher and a counselor to high school dropouts, an instructor of creative writing, a college recruiter, an arts administrator and as a visiting writer at several universities, including the University of California at Berkeley and the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. Her books include two poetry collections, “Bad Boys” and “My Wicked Wicked Ways”; a short story collection, “Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories”; and the novels “The House on Mango Street” and “Caramelo.” She has just finished “Have You Seen Marie?” a richly illustrated fable for adults.

Jennifer Gavin from the Library of Congress speaks with author Craig Thompson, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22-23, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyCraig Thompson’s first graphic novel, 1999’s “Good-bye, Chunky Rice,” debuted when he was just 23. His sophomore effort, “Blankets,” won numerous industry awards and has been published in nearly 20 languages. His latest graphic novel, “Habibi,” was praised in a starred review in Library Journal, which said, “The exquisite beauty and deep magic of this Arabian Nights-style love story cannot be overstated.” Thompson has received four Harvey Awards, two Eisner Awards and two Ignatz Awards – all given in recognition of outstanding work in the graphic arts.

Jane Gilchrist from the Library of Congress speaks with author Lois Lowry, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22-23, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.Biography“From the time I was 8 or 9, I wanted to be a writer,” says Lois Lowry. “Writing was what I liked best in school; it was what I did best in school.” Although her books vary in content and style, Lowry believes they all deal with the same general theme: the importance of human connections. In “Gathering Blue,” the two-time Newbery-winning author challenges readers to envision what the world could become. Lowry’s new novel is “Son.”

Rob Casper from the Library of Congress speaks with poet Joy Harjo, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22-23, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyJoy Harjo’s Muskogee Creek heritage has had a great influence on her poetry, as have her feminist and social interests. Harjo has received many honors, including the William Carlos Williams Award and the American Indian Distinguished Achievement in the Arts Award. She has received fellowships from the Arizona Commission on the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts and the Witter Bynner Foundation. Much of her work is autobiographical, and in her newest book, “Crazy Brave: A Memoir,” Harjo details the journey that led her to become a poet.

Guy Lamolinara from the Library of Congress speaks with author Walter Dean Myers, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22-23, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyCritically acclaimed author Walter Dean Myers has drawn from his own background and interests to produce more than 70 books for young people. He has been writing for and about teens for more than 30 years. Using meticulous research and his own life as a springboard, he employs literature to address hard issues facing youth, and to question their values and decisions. For his work he has received many awards and honors, including two Newbery Honor Book Awards (“Somewhere in the Darkness” and “Scorpions”), five Coretta Scott King Awards (“Slam,” “Now Is Our Time,” “The African-American Struggle for Freedom,” “Fallen Angels,” “Motown & Didi” and “The Young Landlords”), the first Michael J. Printz Award and a Margaret A. Edwards Award. His most recent book is “Autobiography of My Dead Brother.”

Jane Gilchrist from the Library of Congress speaks with author and songwriter Jewel, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22-23, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographyJewel Kilcher says she got her love of language from her father, Yule, while she was growing up in Alaska, raised in a saddle barn. Perhaps best known as a singer-songwriter, Jewel has sold more than 27 million records. Her new book, “That’s What I Do,” was written as a celebration of her newborn son in the form of a lullaby. In 1998, she published a book of poetry called “A Night Without Armor.”

Rob Casper from the Library of Congress speaks with poet Stephen Dunn, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22-23, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.BiographySince 1974, Stephen Dunn has taught at Richard Stockton College of New Jersey, where he is Distinguished Professor of Creative Writing. He has also been a visiting professor at the University of Washington, New York University, Columbia University and the University of Michigan. His work has appeared in The Atlantic, The Nation, The New Republic, The New Yorker and the American Poetry Review, among many other publications. In the past, Dunn has worked as a professional basketball player, an advertising copywriter and an editor. He is a National Endowment for the Arts fellow, and his new book is “Here and Now.”

Guy Lamolinara from the Library of Congress speaks with author Patricia Cornwell, who will appear at the 2012 Library of Congress National Book Festival on Sept. 22-23, on the National Mall in Washington, D.C.Biography“Red Mist” is Patricia Cornwell’s 19th novel featuring the medical examiner Kay Scarpetta. In 1979, Cornwell started as a reporter for The Charlotte (N.C.) Observer and soon thereafter became a crime reporter. Five years later, she found a job in the Virginia Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, where she stayed for six years. While there, she wrote three novels that were rejected for publication before she found success with “Postmortem,” her first Scarpetta novel. Cornwell’s influence can be seen in such television shows as “CSI” and “Cold Case Files.”