The Blue Bunny Bookstore, in partnership with the Dedham Public Library and the Dedham Library Innovation Team, has coordinated and hosted an author festival for middle-grade authors, in March, 2018, March, 2019, and virtually, in May, 2020. The events have included consecutive panel discussions, Q and A time with the authors, and a book sale and book signing during the in-person events. Writing workshops for kids ages 10-14 were offered prior to the event with several of the authors as part of the in-person events as well. Hundreds of attendees have enjoyed these free events. Smack Dab 2 and 3 were supported in part by a grant from the Dedham Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
2018
The first “Smack Dab in the Middle” middle-grade author festival was held on March 3, 2018 at the Dedham Public Library, with the following authors attending: Victoria Coe, Marcykate Connolly, Jarrett Lerner, Lee Gjertsen Malone, Ammi-Joan Paquette, Erin Petti, Peter H. Reynolds, Katie Slivensky, Anna Staniszewski, Tui Sutherland, Susan Tan, Monica Tesler and Rob Vlock.
2019
“Smack Dab in the Middle 2” was held on March 23, 2019 at the Dedham Public Library with Tracey Baptiste, Rebecca Caprara, Bridget Hodder, Sarah Jean Horwitz, Hena Khan, Cynthia Lord, Susan Lubner, Anna Meriano, Mark Parisi, Jen Petro-Roy, Luke Reynolds, Anna Staniszewski, Susan Tan, and Monica Tesler.
2020
Smack Dab 3 was held as a virtual event on May 16, 2020. The event began with a special presentation by Grace Lin, and a keynote address by Tui Sutherland. The two author panels that followed included Kate Allen, Abby Cooper, Erin Dionne, Rajani LaRocca, Jarrett Lerner, Janae Marks, Gregory Mone, Claribel Ortega, Ammi-Joan Paquette, Elly Swartz, and Elinor Teele.