Tucson Festival of Books

Daniel Nayeri (he/him/his)


Daniel Nayeri is an award-winning author born in Iran and raised in Oklahoma after immigrating as a refugee. His acclaimed works include “Everything Sad Is Untrue,” a Printz Award winner, “The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams,” a Newbery Honor, and last year's National Book Award winner in Young People' Literature: “The Teacher of Nomad Land.” A former publisher, editor, and pastry chef, Nayeri lives with his family in South Carolina.

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Awards: National Book Award, Newbery Honor Book, Printz Award

Communities: Middle Eastern


Scheduled events:
Let's Tell a Story: Workshop for Kids
Daniel Nayeri invites children, ages 7 and up, to join him in a fun interactive storytelling session. Daniel Nayeri is the winner of the 2025 National Book Award for Young People for "The Teacher of Nomad Land" and is the author of "How to Tell a Story."

Education Room 349 (Seats 48, Wheelchair accessible)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sat, Mar 14, 1:00 pm - 1:55 pm
Children
Signing area: Signing Area - Children (following presentation)  View this venue on the Festival map

Panelist: Daniel Nayeri
Moderator: Narges Zandi
WWII: War and Resistance
Three critically acclaimed authors offer compelling World War II novels of war and resistance set in different regions of the world. Daniel Nayeri and Erin Entrada Kelly set their books in the less familiar settings of Iran and the Philippines, while Sara Pennypacker sets her book in the French resistance.

Education Room 353 (Seats 92, Wheelchair accessible)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sat, Mar 14, 4:00 pm - 4:55 pm
Children
Signing area: Signing Area - Children (following presentation)  View this venue on the Festival map

Panelists: Erin Entrada Kelly, Daniel Nayeri, Sara Pennypacker
Moderator: Ruth McKoy Lowery
National Book Foundation Presents: Historical Corrections
Join these 2025 National Book Award honorees María Dolores Águila (Young People's Literature Longlister), Caleb Gayle (Nonfiction Longlister) and Daniel Nayeri (Young People's Literature Winner) for readings and a cross-genres conversation on revealing untold stories and how they make history accessible to readers of all ages. Moderated by Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation.

Koffler Room 218 (Seats 142, Wheelchair accessible)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sun, Mar 15, 11:30 am - 12:25 pm
National Book Awards
Signing area: Sales & Signing Koffler/Commons (following presentation)

Panelists: María Dolores Águila, Caleb Gayle, Daniel Nayeri
Moderator: Ruth Dickey
YA Authors Daniel Nayeri & Angeline Boulley Visit Friends Hospitality Tent
Daniel Nayeri is an award-winning author born in Iran and raised in Oklahoma after immigrating as a refugee. He is last year's National Book Award winner in Young People' Literature: “The Teacher of Nomad Land.” Angeline Boulley's debut novel, "Firekeeper's Daughter," was an instant No. 1 New York Times bestseller and recipient of international accolades. Boulley's new books are "Warrior Girl Unearthed" and "Sisters in the Wind."

Friends of the Festival Hospitality Tent (Seats 40)  View this venue on the Festival map
Sun, Mar 15, 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm
Multigenre

Authors: Angeline Boulley, Daniel Nayeri

Books:
The Teacher of Nomad Land
A World War II Story
Teen
Levine Querido
September 2025
ISBN 9781646145669
192 pages
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Everything Sad Is Untrue (a True Story)
Teen
Levine Querido
August 2023
ISBN 9781646142729
368 pages
Buy now