‘The Leavers,’ written by Lisa Ko
The American immigrant story is as old as the country itself; novels like Upton Sinclair’s “The Jungle” and “My Antonia” by Willa Cather helped define our history. More recently, authors Sandra Cisneros, Amy Tan, Chang-rae Lee, Jhumpa Lahiri and Junot Díaz have given voice to newer immigrant communities. The face of immigration is less white than it was; the fate of immigrants less secure.
Lisa Ko’s novel “The Leavers” is about the fragmentation of a family of vulnerable status. Ko tells the heartbreaking story of a Chinese mother and her American-born son, who is adopted by a white couple after she disappears without warning. Deming Guo is 11 when he becomes Daniel Wilkinson of Ridgeborough, N.Y., a small town where his new parents are college professors. The Wilkinsons are well-intentioned, but Deming is understandably conflicted about his new life after years spent in a Bronx apartment, speaking Fuzhounese with an ad hoc but close-knit family. Ten years later, Daniel is “an expert at juggling selves.” Then his old life resurfaces. We learn that Polly, nee Peilan, had first immigrated to New York from rural China penniless and pregnant, then worked her way up to a job at an exploitative nail salon. Ko shines a light on an ugly truth about our country — that it is possible to come to America and be worse off as a result. Without papers, immigrants leaping for the American dream might fall right into a uniquely American nightmare. Lisa Ko at the L.A. Times Festival of Books: Ko appears at 1:30 p.m. April 21 on the panel “Fiction: The Damage Done” with Edan Lepucki, Claire Messud and Gabriel Tallent.
Dylan Hernandez
Los Angeles: The Sports Capital of the World Sunday, 3:40 p.m., L.A. Times Central
Samanta Helou Hernandez
Arts+Music: Past, Present, Future, curated by Marty Preciado, EIC of NYLON en Espanol Sunday, 3:30 p.m., Andrus Gerontology Center
Domhnaill Hernon
“Visionary Weirdo” Beatie Wolfe on creating new formats for music from 3d vinyls to musical jackets Saturday, 3:15 p.m., Newstory Stage
Juan Felipe Herrera
Juan Felipe Herrera, reading from “Jabberwalking” Saturday, 10 a.m., Poetry Stage Juan Felipe Herrera, author of “Jabberwalking” Saturday, 11:30 a.m., Reading by 9 Children’s Stage Jabberwalking: A conversation and live poetry workshop with Juan Felipe Herrera & HS Insider Saturday, 3:30 p.m., YA Stage
Gabriela Herstik
Social Media as Literary Discovery, curated by Marty Preciado, EIC of NYLON en Espanol Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Andrus Gerontology Center
Michael Hiltzik
Tim O’Reilly in conversation with Michael Hiltzik Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Town & Gown
Naomi Hirahara
Crime Fiction: Trouble in Paradise Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Salvatori Computer Science Center 101
Veera Hiranandani
Young Adult Fiction: Culture & Belonging Sunday, 3:30 p.m., YA Stage
Jessica Hoffman
From the Women’s March to #MeToo: Gender and Activism in the U.S. Today Saturday, 3 p.m., Wallis Annenberg Hall, presented by USC
Khaled Holmes
Sports and Social Media featuring former USC and UCLA football stars Sunday, 4 p.m., School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory
Ryan Horrigan
Virtual, Augmented and Mixed Reality: How These Mediums Will Change Storytelling Forever Saturday, 1:30 p.m., School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory
K.J. Howe
Crime Fiction: Trouble in Paradise Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Salvatori Computer Science Center 101
Yunte Huang
History: Telling Hidden Stories Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Hancock Foundation
Jonathan Hunt
Kate DiCamillo in conversation with Jonathan Hunt Sunday, 11 a.m., Seeley G. Mudd 124
Marcus Anthony Hunter
History: The Problem of Slavery’s Intransigent Legacy Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Hancock Foundation
Allegra Huston
Fiction: Happily Ever After? Saturday, 12:30 p.m., Taper Hall 101
Joe Ide
Crime Fiction: City of Angels Sunday, 3:30 p.m., Taper Hall 101
Michael Isikoff
The Russia Stuff: Michael Isikoff and David Corn in conversation with David Lauter Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Seeley G. Mudd 123
Lauren Iungerich
Freaks, Geeks, & Awkward Weirdos: Teen Angst Storytelling from “The Wonder Years” to “The Mortified Guide” Sunday, 10:30 a.m., School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory
Liska Jacobs
Crime Fiction: The Dark Side Sunday, 2 p.m., Andrus Gerontology Center
Henry Jenkins
The Power of Comics: From the Page to the Screen Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Wallis Annenberg Hall, presented by USC
John Jennings
Getting Real: Young Adult Fiction and Social Justice Sunday, 3 p.m., Town & Gown
Morgan Jerkins
Black Girl Magic Saturday, 3 p.m., Town & Gown
Chelsey Johnson
Fiction: Coming of Age Saturday, 11 a.m., Hoffman Hall
Clifford Johnson
The Power of Comics: From the Page to the Screen Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Wallis Annenberg Hall, presented by USC
Dana Johnson
Fiction: Damage Done Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Salvatori Computer Science Center 101
Maureen Johnson
Young Adult Thrillers: Buried Secrets Saturday, 2 p.m., YA Stage
David Cay Johnston
Trump: The First Year Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Hancock Foundation
Lucy Jones
The Environment on the Precipice Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Town & Gown
Tayari Jones
Tayari Jones in conversation with Rebecca Carroll Sunday, 2 p.m., Taper Hall 101
Allison E. Joseph
Allison E. Joseph, reading from “Confessions of a Barefaced Woman” Sunday, 1:40 p.m., Poetry Stage
Roxana Jullapat
Alison Clare Steingold, author of “The L.A. Cookbook,” with special guest Roxana Jullapat Saturday, 3:30 p.m., Pacific Sales Cooking Stage
Megha Kadakia
Creative Activism: Filmmakers that Ignite Action and Social Awareness, presented by Creative Visions Sunday, 1:30 p.m., School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory
Cynthia Kadohata
Middle Grade Fiction: Your Best Self Saturday, 11 a.m., YA Stage
V. Kali
Poetry Slam presented by Anansi Writers Workshop Sunday, 2:30 p.m., Newstory Stage
Denis Karimani
German DJ Remute makes techno music on floppy disks, performs via live stream Saturday, 4 p.m., School of Cinematic Arts — Broccoli Theater, presented by Newstory
Jordan Katz
“Cover to Cover”: Musicians, Comedians and Authors Perform the Works that Inspired Them Sunday, 4 p.m., Newstory Stage
Amy Kaufman
The Entertainment Industry: Behind the Scenes Sunday, 3 p.m., Seeley G. Mudd 123 Reporting on Sexual Harassment in the #MeToo Era Sunday, 11 a.m., L.A. Times Central Whitney Cummings, author of “I’m Fine…And Other Lies” in conversation with Amy Kaufman Sunday, 12:10 p.m., Los Angeles Times Main Stage
Carolyn Kellogg
Patton Oswalt in conversation with Carolyn Kellogg Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Bovard Auditorium Publishing: What’s Working & What’s Next Saturday, 11 a.m., Taper Hall 101
Sarah Kendzior
Trump: The First Year Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Hancock Foundation
Gerrick Kennedy
The Entertainment Industry: Behind the Scenes Sunday, 3 p.m., Seeley G. Mudd 123
Jessica Kensky
Patrick Downes and Jessica Kensky, authors of “Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship” Saturday, 11 a.m., Reading by 9 Children’s Stage
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Unreally Real: Science Fiction & Fantasy Saturday, 2 p.m., Taper Hall 101
Patrisse Khan-Cullors
Activism Now! Sunday, 2 p.m., Ronald Tutor Campus Center
Rachel Khong
Fiction: The Ties That Bond Sunday, noon, Seeley G. Mudd 123
Victoria Kim
Reporting on Sexual Harassment in the #MeToo Era Sunday, 11 a.m., L.A. Times Central
Michael Kimmel
The Rise of Extremism Sunday, 12:30 p.m., Ronald Tutor Campus Center
Kinetic Winds
Kinetic Winds: chamber musical performance Sunday, 11:40 a.m., USC Stage
Kinglii
Kinglii: R&B/rock/folk musical performance Saturday, 4:20 p.m., USC Stage
David Kipen
Jorge Ramos in conversation with David Kipen Saturday, 11 a.m., Ronald Tutor Campus Center
Jonathan Kirsch
Reza Aslan in conversation with Jonathan Kirsch Sunday, 3 p.m., Hancock Foundation
Randi Kleiner
SeriesFest Presents: Books to TV Sunday, noon, School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory What’s Next for TV? presented by SeriesFest Sunday, 2 p.m., School of Cinematic Arts — Broccoli Theater, presented by Newstory
Bob Knorpp
#IMakeALiving Podcast Powered by Freshbooks Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Annenberg Auditorium, presented by Newstory
Lisa Ko
Fiction: Damage Done Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Salvatori Computer Science Center 101
Ron Koertge
Ron Koertge, reading from “Olympusville” Saturday, 2 p.m., Poetry Stage
Sonali Kohli
Hazardous Material: Reporting from disaster zones Sunday, 2:30 p.m., L.A. Times Central
Dan Kois
American Cultural Icons Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hancock Foundation E. Katherine Kottaras Young Adult Fiction: Nothing Left to Lose Sunday, 11 a.m., YA Stage
Scott Kraft
Lawrence Wright in conversation with Scott Kraft Saturday, noon, Town & Gown
Vanda Krefft
American Cultural Icons Saturday, 10:30 a.m., Hancock Foundation
Florencia Krochik
Creative Activism: Filmmakers that Ignite Action and Social Awareness, presented by Creative Visions Sunday, 1:30 p.m., School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory
Ethan J. Kytle
History: The Problem of Slavery’s Intransigent Legacy Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Hancock Foundation
Paul La Farge
Fiction: Hidden Histories Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Salvatori Computer Science Center 101
L.A. Opera
L.A. Opera — Fight On Figaro!: Opera Musical Performance Saturday, 11:40 a.m., USC Stage
L.A. River Bend
L.A. River Bend Musical Performance Saturday, 5:40 p.m., Poetry Stage
Laila Lalami
Fiction: Epics Old & New Sunday, 2 p.m., Hoffman Hall
LAMI
LAMI: R&B Musical Performance Saturday, 5:30 p.m., USC Stage
Ed Lantz
The Future of Immersive Storytelling Saturday, noon, School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory
Emily Rose Laochua
Creative Activism: Filmmakers that Ignite Action and Social Awareness, presented by Creative Visions Sunday, 1:30 p.m., School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory
David Lauter
Postcard from the D.C. Bureau: Covering the Trump White House Saturday, 12:10 p.m., L.A. Times Central The Russia Stuff: Michael Isikoff and David Corn in conversation with David Lauter Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Seeley G. Mudd 123
Victor LaValle
Fiction: Strange & Beautiful Saturday, noon, Seeley G. Mudd 123
Jorge N. Leal
Arts+Music: Past, Present, Future, curated by Marty Preciado, EIC of NYLON en Espanol Sunday, 3:30 p.m., Andrus Gerontology Center
Alberto Ledesma
Immigrants: We Get the Job Done Sunday, noon, Hancock Foundation
Edward Lee
Food: The New Culture Saturday, 2 p.m., Seeley G. Mudd 124
Mira T. Lee
Fiction: The Ties That Bond Sunday, noon, Seeley G. Mudd 123
Vivian Lee
Writing Across All Media: The Ever-Evolving Nature of Storytelling, presented by Medium Saturday, 5 p.m., School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory
Bob Lefsetz
The Bob Lefsetz Podcast with special guest Moby, musician and animal rights activist Saturday, noon, Annenberg Auditorium, presented by Newstory
Dennis Lehane
Dennis Lehane in conversation with Karen Grigsby Bates Sunday, noon, Town & Gown
Margot Leitman
Story Smash: The Storytelling Gameshow! Live at LA Times Newstory! Sunday, 3 p.m., Annenberg Auditorium, presented by Newstory
Susan Lendroth
Susan Lendroth, author of “Natsumi!” Saturday, 4:30 p.m., Reading by 9 Children’s Stage
Dinah Lenney
Memory: How It Shapes You Saturday, 3 p.m., Seeley G. Mudd 123
Brett Leonard
The Future of Immersive Storytelling Saturday, noon, School of Cinematic Arts: Ray Stark Family Theater, presented by Newstory
Kelly Leonard
The Second City Presents Improvisation: Decoding Creative Practices with Kelly Leonard Sunday, 10:30 a.m., Norris Theater, presented by Newstory
Edan Lepucki
Fiction: Damage Done Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Salvatori Computer Science Center 101
Jessica Lesaca
How Multicultural Content Creators Influence Society, presented by Univision Creator Network Saturday, 12:30 p.m., School of Cinematic Arts — Broccoli Theater, presented by Newstory
Yassir Lester
“Cover to Cover”: Musicians , comedians and authors perform the works that inspired them Sunday, 4 p.m., Newstory Stage
Dana Levin
Dana Levin, reading from “Banana Palace” Saturday, 2:20 p.m., Poetry Stage
Sharon Levin
Laurie Halse Anderson & Emily Carroll in conversation with Sharon Levin Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Seeley G. Mudd 123 A New Look at Real Stories: Nonfiction for Young Adults Saturday, noon, Salvatori Computer Science Center 101
Josh Levine
Rebel Radio Podcast: Josh Levine in conversation with Ali Shaheed Muhammad Saturday, 1:30 p.m., Annenberg Auditorium, presented by Newstory
David Levithan
Standing out from the Masses: Young Adult Fiction Sunday, 2 p.m., YA Stage
Robin Coste Lewis
Robin Coste Lewis, reading from “Voyage of the Sable Venus” Saturday, 5:20 p.m., Poetry Stage
Tracey Lien
How Tech is Programming Our Future Sunday, 1:30 p.m., Salvatori