The sixth annual Lehigh Valley Book Festival, March 28 - March 30, has the participation of more than 30 authors at four locations.

This year’s theme, “Words Worth Sharing,” is about media literacy, free expression and access to knowledge.

“In this year’s political climate, people are so divided,” says Kirsten Hess, owner of The End Bookstore, Allentown, and Lehigh Valley Book Festival Founder and Executive Director.

“Memes [captioned pictures] don’t share news. Journalists do. We need real sources, whether left- or right-leaning. Not everyone knows everything. We have to rely on researchers, journalists, scientists, librarians and historians,” Hess says.

At “Banned Books Bingo,” 4 p.m. March 28, Bethlehem Area Public Library, Bethlehem, numbers on bingo cards will be replaced by photos of banned books.

There’s a reception with four authors, 7 p.m. March 28, Nowhere Coffee Shop, Allentown.

There will be author signings and panel discussions, 10:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. March 29, Cedar Crest College, Allentown, with the topics “The Art of the Story,” “It’s a Mix Tape: A Love Story to the Reader” and “It’s a Mystery.”

The End hosts “Kids Make Books,” 1 p.m. March 29, where children can use crafts and old books to tell their own stories.

Chuck Wendig participates in the discussion, “Thrilling Fiction, Is This the End?,” 4:15 p.m. March 29. Wendig is the author of comics, including the Marvel series “Hyperion,” and science fiction novels, including the series, “Star Wars: The Aftermath.”

Dr. Judith Giesberg talks with Jess Denke, Muhlenberg College Community Engagement Librarian, 5:30 p.m. March 29, about Giesberg’s book, “Last Seen: The Enduring Search by Formerly Enslaved People to Find Their Lost Families.”

The End Bookstore hosts “Sip and Swoon Romance Brunch,” 10 a.m. March 30, with three romance authors.

“We have had many programs over the years with authors on tour and we have had many authors and publishers reach out to us,” says Bethlehem Area Public Library Executive Director Josh Berk.

Among authors the festival has presented: Rupert Holmes, musician-playwright; Erin Entrada Kelly, 2025 Newbery Award winner, and Dorothy Wickenden, former Executive Editor, New Yorker magazine.

Lehigh Valley Book Festival, “Banned Book Bingo,” 4 p.m. March 28, Bethlehem Area Public Library, 11 E. Church St., Bethlehem; “Author Meet and Greet Reception,” 7 p.m. March 28, Nowhere Coffee Company, 3127 Tilghman St., Allentown; “All Day Programming,” “Wicked Family Fest,” 10:30 a.m. March 29, Cedar Crest College, 100 College Drive, Allentown; “Sip & Swoon Romance Brunch, 10 a.m. March 30; “Kids Make Books,” 1 p.m. March 30, The End Bookstore, 3055 Tilghman St., Allentown. Tickets, schedule, information: https://theendbooks.co/lehigh-valley-book-festival