Authors here this weekend
Emporia State University
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Authors of this year’s two William Allen White Children’s Book Award winners will spend Saturday in Emporia, attending the celebration and ceremony that accompanies the long-running recognition program for literature aimed at young readers. Approximately 800 students from across Kansas are expected to attend.
The winners of this year’s awards — Sara Pennypacker, author of “Clementine,” and Jennifer Roy, who wrote “Yellow Star” — will participate in autograph sessions, meet with students and receive their awards during a ceremony Saturday afternoon in Emporia’s William Lindsay White Auditorium.
Each year, approximately 50,000 third- through eighth-graders take part in choosing the two White Award-winning books. “Clementine” was the choice of third- through fifth-graders, and “Yellow Star” won the sixth- through eighth-grade award. The books were among a list of 24 chosen by a selection committee for the students to consider.
Activities for the 57th annual celebration begin Friday with read-ins and sleepovers for students at the Lee Beran Recreation Center, 313 W. Fourth Ave. Students will have an opportunity to meet and talk with the visiting authors during the read-ins. Space for this event is limited to 100 students and adults.
Saturday’s activities move to the second floor of Emporia State University’s Memorial Union. There, participants can purchase copies of the winning books and have them autographed by the authors from 8 to 11 a.m. Other souvenirs of the event also will be available for purchase.
Students will be able to take guided tours of the ESU campus, stopping off at the one-room schoolhouse and visiting the Peterson Planetarium. In addition, the Schmidt Museum of Natural History in Breukelman Hall and Johnston Geology Museum in Cram Hall will be open for visits.
The authors and celebration participants will join a parade from ESU to the W.L. White Auditorium at 12:15 p.m., preceding the awards ceremony at the auditorium at 1 p.m. There, Pennypacker and Roy will receive their White Award medals and will answer questions from the audience.
Tickets for the awards ceremony are $5 per person. Tickets will be available at the door at White Arena or may be purchased in advance by calling 341-5208. More information is available on the William Allen White Children’s Book Awards web site www.emporia.edu/libsv/wawbookaward.
The White Awards Program is directed by ESU and is supported by the Trusler Foundation. The program was founded by Ruth Carver Gagliardo, a children’s literature specialist, to honor the memory of one of the state’s most distinguished citizens by encouraging Kansas schoolchildren to read and enjoy good books
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
What I would like to know is the content of the book. One year the award was given to an author who wrote a book for kids concerning the occult.
October 8, 2009 at 6:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
Google From Havard Scholars to Worker Bees for the NWO. Someone ought to write a book for kids to counter act these worker bees for a New Word Order. Maybe this will inspire a new book for kids and parents alike. William K. Buckley said, "The best defense against usurpatory government is an assertive citizenry."
October 8, 2009 at 10:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I wish every parent and citizen in America would read Educating for the New World Order by B.K. Eakman. This book will open your eyes to the "doublespeak" that's leading to an Orwillian future.
October 8, 2009 at 11:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
reddog (K. B. Thomas Jr.) says...
I wish someone would write a book for kids about the wealthfare for the rich and welfare for the poor and why the middle class can't support it anymore.
October 9, 2009 at 1:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
create (anonymous) says...
Get off the couch, reddog. You're getting your hair all over the place!
Simple answer to your "I wish someone..." is this: Why don't YOU write such a book?
And if you want to know the content of the books that are nominated for book awards, all you have to do is go down to the Town Crier. Those books are there. Read them. Go on a Tuesday so you can help Emporia by spending 20 bucks on something. Do something beside quoting other people and ideas.
October 9, 2009 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )