News Summary
The Cleveland Reads Young Adult Festival, taking place at the Cleveland Public Library, will feature Amanda Knox as the keynote speaker. The event emphasizes young voices and storytelling’s transformative power, and previous events drew over 400 attendees. Knox, known for her wrongful conviction case, aims to inspire and engage students in meaningful discussions about justice and resilience. The festival will also host various young adult authors and a fundraiser for literacy programs.
Cleveland to Host Young Adult Festival Featuring Amanda Knox
The Cleveland Reads Young Adult Festival is set to take place at the Cleveland Public Library on October 9, 2025, from 9 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Renowned speaker Amanda Knox, who gained international attention following her wrongful accusation in a high-profile murder case in Italy, will serve as the keynote speaker at this event. The festival will focus on the theme, “The Write to Be Heard,” emphasizing the importance of young voices and the transformative power of storytelling.
Anticipated Attendance and Engagement
The previous event featuring Knox attracted over 400 Cleveland students, reflecting her impactful story of resilience and wrongful conviction. At that gathering, each student received a book, many of which were signed by Knox herself. Her narrative has sparked significant interest among young people, encouraging discussions about justice and personal expression through literature.
Amanda Knox’s Background
Knox’s life took a drastic turn in 2007, when she was accused of murdering her roommate, Meredith Kercher, in Italy. Following her conviction, Knox spent nearly four years in prison before her acquittal by Italy’s Supreme Court in 2015 after enduring lengthy and complex legal battles. Knox has since become a prominent advocate for criminal justice reform and media accountability, focusing on truth and police ethics.
In addition to her advocacy work, Knox has authored two memoirs: “Waiting to Be Heard” and “Free: My Search for Meaning.” She also serves as an executive producer for the Hulu documentary titled “The Twisted Tale of Amanda Knox.”
Additional Festival Highlights
The festival will host a range of other talented young adult authors, including Nick Brooks, Ellen Oh, and Justin A. Reynolds. Attendees can also look forward to a fireside chat with New York Times bestselling author Abigail Hing Wen on October 8, 2025, the day before the illustrious festival. The event is free to the public; however, participants are required to complete advance registration.
Following the festival, Knox will take part in the Black, White & REaD Celebration that evening from 6 to 9 p.m.. This fundraiser aims to support the library’s literacy and digital learning programs, with tickets priced at $125.
Purpose and Impact
The Cleveland Public Library’s Senior Director of Outreach and Programming noted that Knox’s compelling story resonates with students and serves to spark meaningful conversations about justice, resilience, and the power of voices in literature. By inviting Knox, the festival aims to inspire students to engage actively with literature while also encouraging them to think critically about pressing social issues.
As the Cleveland Reads Young Adult Festival approaches, excitement builds around the opportunity for young readers to connect with prominent authors and to deepen their understanding of storytelling’s potential impact.
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Additional Resources
- Cleveland.com
- Cleveland19
- Fox 8 News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Amanda Knox
- Google Search: Amanda Knox Young Adult Festival
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