Author Pavilions
Nearly 70 American authors, illustrators and poets will be making presentations on the National Mall throughout the day in Children, Teens & Children, Fiction & Mystery, History & Biography, Home & Family, and Poetry pavilions. (Authors by Pavilion)
Library of Congress Pavilion
Explore the Library of Congress Experience and virtually handle rare and unique artifacts in new and dynamic ways. Activities will be featured in the pavilion to engage adults and children. Visit this page again for more updates.
Pavilion of the States
Visit Your Home State
Come to the popular Pavilion of the States to learn about the reading and literacy promotion projects as well as the literary traditions of the 50 states, the District of Columbia and the U.S. territories. Representatives from throughout the nation will provide information and answer questions about their state’s writers, libraries, book festivals, book awards and reading promotion activities. In addition, several festival authors and illustrators will make scheduled visits to their state’s table to greet fans and sign autographs.
Collect State Stickers and Stamps
A popular pavilion feature, especially among young readers and their families, is “Discover Great Places Through Reading” -- a free map of the United States that can be presented at each table for an appropriate state sticker or stamp. On the back, the map includes “52 Great Reads About Great Places,” a reading list of books for young people compiled with a recommendation from each state.
The Congressional Club Cookbook
The Congressional Club was founded by an act of Congress in 1908 for spouses of members of Congress, the Cabinet and the Supreme Court. The 14th edition of The Congressional Club Cookbook will be available for sale at the Pavilion of the States for $48. The cookbook offers recipes from around the world and includes inaugural ball portraits of presidents and first ladies from Coolidge to Bush, as well as photos of historic sites around Washington. Revenue generated from cookbook sales helps support contributions made by the Congressional Club to a variety of local charities.
The Pavilion of the States is organized by the Library's Center for the Book, which will be distributing brochures and information about its reading promotion activities. The Institute of Museum and Library Services is the major pavilion sponsor, with additional funding from the National Endowment for the Humanities.
Book Sales Pavilion
There will be a book sales pavilion on the festival's grounds with selected books by 2008 National Book Festival authors. Visit and browse before going to book signing areas to meet your favorite authors.
Let's Read America Pavilion
Please check back for updates.