This in-person event is a part of the 2026 Virginia Festival of the Book and will take place at the shop.
Coming of age takes the stage in these stories of high schoolers navigating a grown-up world, in a Book Festival event for adults and teens alike.
In the New York Times bestseller This Thing of Ours, Frederick Joseph tells the story of a student athlete who, sidelined with an injury, discovers writing as a tool to find his way among his affluent peers. This Thing of Ours is a “powerful and timely” tale of race, censorship, and finding one’s voice.
In the graphic novel Tall Water by Stonewall–award winning author SJ Sindu, sixteen-year-old Nimmi longs to see her mother in war-torn Sri Lanka, even against her father’s wishes. But before mother and daughter can reunite, a tsunami strikes. How deep must Nimmi delve for a sense of courage?
In The Unexpected Consequence of Bleeding on a Tuesday by Kelsey B. Toney, a teen is expelled for marijuana use, a substance she turns to to manage her severe endometriosis. How can this aspiring doctor advocate for her health—and health equity in her community?
For more information, visit vabook.org.
Order the Books Ahead of Time from New Dominion Bookshop
Shop local and support your community bookshop! You can order your books ahead of time for the 2026 Virginia Festival of the Book by filling out the contact form below. Please make sure that you list the book title(s) that you would like to order. We will give you a call when your order is ready. There is no need to pre-pay. We will collect your payment when you pick up your order or when your order is shipped. Books will also be for sale on-site at the event. (There is no need to place an order if you plan to attend the event and purchase books there in person.)