Author Spotlight & Event Preview: Mia Wenjen Set to Headline the 2026 Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL) Conference

Executive Overview

The literary and educational communities of New England are preparing for one of their most anticipated annual gatherings: the Connecticut Association of School Librarians (CASL) Conference. Scheduled for November 2026 in Mystic, Connecticut, the conference serves as a vital professional development nexus for school media specialists, educators, administrators, and literacy advocates from across the region.

I’ll be at CASL Conference 2026 in Mystic, CT!

A central highlight of the upcoming 2026 program is the featured appearance of acclaimed children’s author, activist, and educator Mia Wenjen. Known widely across the literary landscape through her platform PragmaticMom, Wenjen is scheduled to connect directly with attendees on Monday, November 2, between 9:00 AM and 3:00 PM.

This comprehensive report examines the background of the CASL Conference, details Mia Wenjen’s upcoming schedule and extensive literary portfolio, explores her contribution to multicultural education and civil rights literature, and provides an authoritative look at the broader impact of school libraries in fostering modern youth literacy.

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Detailed Chronology & Event Agenda

The Road to Mystic, CT: CASL 2026

The Connecticut Association of School Librarians has long functioned as a primary driver of educational innovation, information literacy advocacy, and curriculum enrichment within New England. The annual CASL Conference brings together hundreds of dedicated school library media specialists to confront modern educational challenges—ranging from digital citizenship and information verification to collection development and inclusive programming.

The 2026 conference edition is structured around the theme of resilient learning environments and the indispensable role of school libraries as safe, equitable spaces for intellectual exploration.

Mia Wenjen’s Featured Appearance (November 2, 2026)

Mia Wenjen’s active participation on Monday, November 2, from 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, is expected to draw substantial crowds of educators seeking actionable strategies for modern literacy promotion. During her time at the conference, Wenjen will engage with school librarians regarding:

Collection Diversity: How to curate contemporary, inclusive book selections that accurately reflect diverse global and cultural experiences.
Author-Librarian Collaboration: Strategies for leveraging author visits, teacher guides, and multimedia resources (such as book trailers and music videos) to stimulate student engagement.
Project-Based Literacy: Connecting nonfiction and biographical literature—such as her works with the Smithsonian and her civil rights histories—directly to classroom curricula.

Supporting Context & Literary Portfolio

To fully appreciate Wenjen’s impact at the CASL Conference, one must examine her prolific body of work. Spanning picture books, historical biographies, sports guides, and educational resources, her bibliography is a testament to the power of diverse storytelling.

1. Civil Rights, Activism, and Social Justice

Wenjen has carved out an essential niche in children’s nonfiction by spotlighting pivotal historical figures and monumental legal battles for justice and equality:

Barbed Wire Between Us (Illustrated by Violeta Encarnación): A deeply moving exploration of historical displacement and human resilience. Supported by a comprehensive, free downloadable teacher’s guide and an accompanying music video, this title serves as a powerful classroom tool for discussing civil liberties.
Postcards from Malcolm X: How Yuri Kochiyama Became a Civil Rights Activist (Illustrated by Keith Henry Brown): This critically acclaimed biography introduces young readers to the inspiring life of Yuri Kochiyama, detailing her evolution into a fearless civil rights leader through her connection with Malcolm X.
We Sing from the Heart: How the Slants® Took Their Fight for Free Speech to the Supreme Court: Chronicling the groundbreaking First Amendment legal battle of the Asian American dance-rock band The Slants, this book breaks down complex constitutional concepts into an accessible, engaging narrative for young readers.

2. Cultural History and Culinary Exploration

Understanding culture through shared human experiences is a recurring theme in Wenjen’s works:

Fortune Cookies for Everyone! (Published in partnership with the Smithsonian; Illustrated by Colleen Kong-Savage): A delightful, surprising look at the true origins of a beloved culinary treat, challenging common misconceptions and celebrating cultural hybridity.
The Traveling Taco: The Amazing and Surprising Journey of Many of Your Favorite Foods: This vibrant exploration traces the global roots and multicultural evolution of comfort foods that children love, paired with engaging musical resources and dynamic book trailers.

3. Nature, Environment, and Daily Life

Wenjen’s bibliography also addresses sustainability, mindfulness, and family dynamics:

Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World (Illustrated by Robert Sae-Heng): A Junior Library Guild (JLG) selection that takes readers on a global tour of innovative, eco-friendly farming practices, teaching children about environmental stewardship and food security.
Sumo Joe: A playful and culturally rich picture book celebrating brotherhood, martial arts, and peaceful resolution. Recognized by Bank Street College as one of The Best Children’s Books of the Year.
Boxer Baby Battles Bedtime!: A humorous and relatable look at early childhood bedtime routines through the lens of a tiny boxing champion.
Changing the Game: Asian Pacific American Female Athletes: An empowering collection highlighting trailblazing athletes who shattered barriers in professional and Olympic sports.

Official Statements and Educational Impact

The synergy between school librarians and children’s authors is foundational to student achievement. Educators attending the CASL Conference frequently emphasize that school libraries function as the intellectual heart of K-12 institutions.

Educational advocates note that the inclusion of authors like Mia Wenjen at professional development events underscores a broader industry shift: the demand for mirrors and windows in literature. Students must see their own lived experiences reflected in the books they read (mirrors), while simultaneously gaining insight into cultures and histories different from their own (windows).

Wenjen’s extensive digital resources—including teacher guides, song adaptations, and video book trailers—provide school librarians with turnkey assets designed to transform passive reading into active, cross-curricular learning experiences.

Future Outlook: The Evolution of School Librarianship

As the educational landscape navigates rapid technological shifts, budget constraints, and evolving pedagogical standards, the role of the school librarian has never been more critical. No longer simply custodians of physical books, modern librarians act as information architects, media literacy experts, and champions of intellectual freedom.

Events like the CASL 2026 Conference—bolstered by the participation of dedicated creators like Mia Wenjen—reinforce the resilience of the profession. By equipping educators with diverse literary tools, historical narratives, and multicultural resources, the conference ensures that school libraries remain vibrant incubators of empathy, critical thinking, and lifelong learning.