Dine with acclaimed authors while supporting the future of the Fair<\/p>\n
\u00a0MIAMI, September 30, 2026 \u2013 Miami Dade College\u2019s (MDC) Miami Book Fair will honor beloved author Judy Blume and the Nusbaum family at its Fourth Annual Next Page Dinner<\/a> on Friday, Nov. 20, at the JW Marriott Marquis Miami. The Fair\u2019s signature fundraising event offers guests the rare opportunity to dine with acclaimed authors at every table and receive signed copies of their books. Funds raised support the Fair\u2019s year-round literary and educational programs for children.<\/p>\n The Next Page Dinner honors South Florida literary figures and community leaders who have helped shape Miami\u2019s cultural story. This year, Miami Book Fair will recognize Judy Blume, one of the most influential authors of the past half-century, and the Nusbaum family for its longstanding commitment to books, literacy, and the South Florida community.<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019m thrilled to be honored at this year\u2019s Next Page dinner \u2013 Miami Book Fair is such an amazing event!\u201d said Blume. \u201cAnd this is personal for me, because its founder, Mitch Kaplan, is my guru. He met me as a writer, he taught me how to be a bookseller, and he showed me by example how a bookstore can become an integral part of the community.\u201d<\/p>\n Blume grew up in Elizabeth, New Jersey, and spent part of her childhood in Miami Beach, drawing on those early experiences for what she has described as her most autobiographical novel, Starring Sally J. Freedman as Herself. For the past 30 years, she has lived in Key West. Her 29 books, including Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing, Are You There God? It\u2019s Me, Margaret, and Deenie, have sold more than 93 million copies in 40 languages and helped define coming-of-age experiences for generations. Blume received the Library of Congress Living Legends Award and the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters. A longtime advocate against censorship and book banning, she has worked tirelessly to protect children\u2019s access to books and support the teachers and librarians who defend the freedom to read.<\/p>\n The late Sandy Nusbaum moved to Miami from New Jersey more than 50 years ago and built a life here with his wife, Ellen, and their daughter, Jill. A devoted community champion, he supported Miami Book Fair, Museum of Miami, Actors\u2019 Playhouse, Camillus House, UHealth and University of Miami athletics.<\/p>\n Speaking previously about why his family supports Miami Book Fair, Nusbaum pointed to the impact of Children\u2019s Alley.<\/p>\n \u201cMy wife was a teacher in Dade County for 35 years in North Miami Beach, so we always gravitate to Children\u2019s Alley to watch these kids who\u2019ve never really had a chance to get books being given books, and enjoy all the activities there for them,\u201d he said. \u201cThat kind of programming is a big reason why we\u2019re involved.\u201d<\/p>\n Continuing that commitment, the Nusbaums have pledged to support Miami Book Fair\u2019s children\u2019s programming. The gift will help introduce more young readers throughout Miami-Dade County to books, authors, and literary experiences.<\/p>\n \u201cMy father loved the Book Fair and what it meant to Miami, and our family is honored to be recognized as one of its staunchest supporters,\u201d said Jill Nusbaum. \u201cIt\u2019s a fitting way to remember him.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe could not ask for more deserving honorees,\u201d said Lissette Mendez, executive director of Miami Book Fair. \u201cJudy Blume has changed how generations of young people understand themselves and the world around them. Sandy Nusbaum and his family have helped Miami Book Fair bring books and authors to people throughout our community. We are proud to celebrate all of them at a dinner that will help us continue this work for years to come.\u201d<\/p>\n The evening will also include a cocktail reception, live entertainment, a silent auction, and signed books from participating authors who will sit with at tables hosted by community supporters. Sit with a superstar author \u2013 buy your table or ticket today.<\/p>\n Authors joining guests at the Next Page Dinner include:<\/p>\n Alicia Jo Rabins Additional participating authors will be announced soon.<\/p>\n Miami Book Fair thanks the sponsors of the Fourth Annual Next Page Dinner, including Miami Dade College, JW Marriott Marquis Miami, and The Stacey and Eric Mindich Fund for Jewish Stories. Miami Book Fair also thanks the Next Page Dinner host committee: Brittany Buhler, Asha Elias, Cari Fund, Jessica Jonap, Sandra Rodriguez, Karen Safarik, Anick Vorbe, Rochelle B. Weinstein, and Mary Whitehead.<\/p>\n WHAT: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 The Next Page Dinner<\/p>\n WHEN:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Friday, Nov. 20, 2026 WHERE: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 JW Marriott Marquis Miami, 255 Biscayne Blvd. Way<\/p>\n TICKETS AND TABLES: \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 miamibookfair.com\/nextpage<\/a><\/p>\n For questions regarding sponsorship at The Next Page Dinner, please contact Lisa Better, MBF senior development associate, at LBetter@mdc.edu<\/a> and 305.790.7597.<\/p>\n For information about Miami Book Fair, visit www.miamibookfair.com<\/a>, or call 305.237.3258 or email wbookfair@mdc.edu<\/a>. Follow Miami Book Fair\u00a0@miamibookfair on all social media platforms.<\/p>\n \u00a0Miami Book Fair Media Contacts:
\nAnand Giridharadas
\nArthur Sze
\nDebra McGuire
\nEdwidge Danticat
\nHernan Diaz
\nKate Doerge
\nLiaquat Ahamed
\nLisa Hostein
\nMarlon James
\nMatthew Quick
\nRabih Alameddine
\nRowan Jacobsen
\nSusan Orlean
\nTayari Jones
\nYann Martel
\nDani Shapiro
\nGalit Atlas
\nReza Aslan<\/p>\n
Cocktail reception: 7 p.m.
Dinner & awards program: 8 p.m.
Attire: Miami Chic\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0<\/p>\n
Rachel Pinzur, Pinzur Communications | 305.725.2875, rachel@pinzurPR.com
Cristina Fonseca, Pinzur Communications | 561.644.1726, cfonseca@pinzurPR.com<\/p>\n