National Ambassador for Young People's Literature explained

National Ambassador for Young People's Literature is a literary honor presented bi-annually by the Library of Congress to an author or illustrator who is a U.S. citizen and who has made a substantial contribution to young people's literature. The position was established in 2008. More than receiving an award, during their tenure ambassadors help communicate to children about books and reading, so the selection criteria include being an effective communicator, having a dynamic personality and the ability to work with children. The position is modeled on the British Children's Laureate, which was established in 1999.^[1] The position is currently sponsored by the Center for the Book and the Children's Book Council. The ambassadorship includes a $15,000 expense stipend. A similar honor is awarded bi-annually by the Poetry Foundation for the Young People's Poet Laureate (formerly the Children's Poet Laureate).^[2]

Ambassadors

• 2008–2009: Jon Scieszka^{[3] [4]}
• 2010–2011: Katherine Paterson^{[5] [6]}
• 2012–2013: Walter Dean Myers^{[7] [8]}
• 2014–2015: Kate DiCamillo^{[9] [10] [11]}
• 2016–2017: Gene Luen Yang^[12]
• 2018-2019: Jacqueline Woodson^{[13] [14] [15]}
• 2020-2022 Jason Reynolds^{[16] [17]}
• 2023-2024 Meg Medina^[18]

External links

• National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

Notes and References

1. Web site: National Ambassador for Children's Literature To Be Named - News Releases (Library of Congress). www.loc.gov. 2015-06-09.
2. Web site: Young People's Poet Laureate . Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) . Paige Bentley-Flannery . May 26, 2017 . October 30, 2018.
3. News: Stinky Cheese! Ambassador for Children's Literature . . Motoko Rich . January 3, 2008 . October 25, 2012.
4. News: Popular Children's Author Named Reading Ambassador . . Bob Thompson . January 3, 2008 . October 25, 2012.
5. News: Katherine Paterson named National Ambassador for Young People's Literature . The Washington Post . David Montgomery . January 6, 2010 . October 25, 2012.
6. News: New Envoy's Old Advice for Children: Read More . The New York Times . Motoko Rich . January 4, 2010 . October 25, 2012.
7. News: Walter Dean Myers, the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, on raising readers . The Washington Post . Janice D'Arcy . January 16, 2012 . October 25, 2012.
8. News: Children's Book Envoy Defines His Mission . The New York Times . Julie Bosman . January 3, 2012 . October 25, 2012.
9. Web site: Newbery Winner to Promote Her Genre . New York Times . Julie Bosman . January 2, 2014 . January 10, 2014.
10. Web site: Kate DiCamillo Named Next National Ambassador for Young People's Literature . Publishers Weekly . Sue Corbett . January 2, 2014 . January 10, 2014.
11. Web site: Kate DiCamillo, author of 'Because of Winn Dixie,' named children's literature ambassador . Washington Post . Monica Hesse . January 2, 2014 . January 10, 2014.
12. Web site: Library of Congress Anoints Graphic Novelist as Ambassador for Young People's Literature. New York Times. George Gene Gustines. George Gene Gustines. January 4, 2016. April 23, 2017.
13. Web site: Jacqueline Woodson is Named National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. New York Times. Alexandra Alter. Alexandra Alter. January 4, 2018. January 4, 2018.
14. News: Brooklyn resident named Young People's Literature ambassador. 8 January 2018.
15. News: Where Author Jacqueline Woodson Would Like to Take Young People's Literature in 2018. NPR.org.
16. Web site: Jason Reynolds Named New National Ambassador for Young People's Literature . Library of Congress. January 13, 2020. January 24, 2020.
17. Web site: Jason Reynolds to Serve Third Year as National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Library of Congress. September 20, 2021. May 23, 2023.
18. Web site: Meg Medina Named New National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Library of Congress Newsroom. January 18, 2023. May 23, 2023.