We had all heard of the Legend of Stephanie Squicciarini - the YALSA Mover and Shaker. I was warned about Stephanie, that to look directly into her eyes was to be drawn into her passion to serve teens and promote literacy. I was helpless to resist her tractor beam gaze, and gave into temptation. I ate the Oreos and drank the juice boxes. I have been involved with Teen Book Festival since 2007 and it changed my life forever. Through the good times and the hard times, Stephanie was my true north that I looked to for the best ways to be a teen services librarian. Her passion created an incomparable legacy for libraries and teen services. In my heart, she will always shine brightly like a star steady enough to navigate through any storm.

I first met Stephanie at ALA when I was a brand-new author. I didn't know anyone in the world of YA literature, but Stephanie made me feel welcome and valued and supported in ways few others have. The two times I've been a guest at TBF have been high points of my career, because of the incredible amount of time and care and love that Stephanie put into it. Stephanie was bright, funny, and generous, and she could make things happen in ways that still blow my mind. I miss her.

Stephanie was the warmest, kindest, most enthusiastic person I knew. She made you feel like you were the center of her world, and many times you were!