The Tanque Verde High School Library and the Pima County Public Library team up annually to provide TVHS students with an opportunity to interview a bestselling author at the Tucson Festival of Books. A small group of students prepares interview questions in advance and conducts a professional, recorded interview onsite at the Festival. This is a unique and memorable opportunity and a huge honor for our school. Previous interviews are linked at the bottom of this page.

In 2024, we had the privilege of doing two interviews, which means twice as many students participated! Our 2024 authors were Hafsah Faizal (We Hunt the Flame duology) and graphic novelist duo LeUyen Pham and Gene Luen Yang (graphic novels American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops).

This opportunity is open to all TVHS students! Applications for the 2025 interviews will be posted here in December 2024.

Tentative timeline:

• November/December: We select our author.
• January: Books arrive! We start reading and thinking about interview questions.
• February: We meet 2-3 times to prepare for the interview.
• March: Tucson Festival of Books on the UA Campus!

• • We'll be assigned a fixed time slot to conduct the interview.
  • Cost: This is a free event and the book is provided, but you will need to arrange your own transportation (usually some students carpool) and parking on campus that weekend is typically about $5 for the day.

The Tucson Festival of Books hosts Young Authors and Artists Contests each year! More information and a link to the application will be posted here in the fall of 2024.

• No charge to enter
• Original writing and artwork
• Winners receive gift certificates and will be recognized at the Tucson Festival of Books.