Celebrate with a Newbery Award-Winning Author!
The library is thrilled to showcase Matt de la Peña as its featured “Let’s Read” series author at the Capitol Tuesday, March 4, with presentations scheduled for 9:30am and 11:30am. Both sessions are open to families, individuals, and school groups; attendance is free; and registration is available via the library’s calendar of events: (warrenpl.org/events). Since the goal of this series is to bring high- quality authors (and illustrators) in contact with young readers in an effort to inspire them to read, having Matt de la Peña visit during “Read Across America” month aligns perfectly!
Having written both picture books for younger readers and novels for young adults, it’s rather amazing that one of de la Peña’s picture books,Last Stop on Market Street, won a Newbery medal, an award most frequently given to chapter books. One of the most prestigious literary awards for youth, the top medal and additional honor awards are given annually by the American Library Association’s Association for Library Service to Children.
Winning a Newbery Award is like receiving an Oscar or an Emmy in the world of book publishing. With its descriptive, distinctive, poetic narrative, Last Stop on Market Street garnered much attention and gave the author much-deserved acclaim. It has continued to be a well-loved title in public and personal libraries throughout the country, along with other books, including Milo Imagines the World, Mexican White Boy, We Were Here and Superman: Dawnbreaker. Sharing the expertise and success of his writing career that includes the publication of seven novels and six picture books, de la Peña teaches creative writing at San Diego State. His complete body of work can be found at mattdelapena.com/books.
Reading Celebrations
In the late 1990s, the National Education Association (NEA) created “Read Across America,” an initiative to celebrate reading, in early March, originally to coincide with the birthdate of popular children’s book author Dr. Seuss. Since then, schools and libraries have worked together to showcase the diverse reading resources that are about everyone and for everyone, no matter their age, ability, or interest level. Making reading fun has long been a goal of public libraries, and working with our schools to expand their students’ opportunities is something we love to do! Just like those organizing events taking place all across America, local librarians will be providing opportunities for celebrating books that express the joy and diversity of the human experience with students.
WCPL has collaborated with school systems on Read Across America Day in a variety of ways over the years, including hosting school visits from staff and other local “celebrity” readers as well as bringing popular book characters and talented authors into classrooms. This year, we are sponsoring two authors who were part of this year’s “Let’s Read” series to speak at elementary schools: Shawn Pryor and Shelli Johannes. Pryor’s books cover all kinds of topics, including sports, mysteries, video games, and Kentucky history. His graphic novels are visually appealing, with stories filled with action and adventure, to help engage even the most reluctant reader. You can see his full list here: https://shawnpryor.com/books. Johannes may be best known as the co-author of the Cece Loves Science series, but she has brought a host of additional vibrant characters to life – dinosaurs, farm animals, unicorns and more – in the pages of her other books. Check out all her work at https://www.srjohannes.com/kids-book.
The impact of finding joy in reading cannot be underestimated – there is no feeling like finishing a book that connects with your heart or engages your thinking! Reading plays a vital role in both educational and emotional development of children and teens. Encouraging reluctant readers by exposing them to a variety of book genres and formats can pay dividends and help young people grow and thrive, as can supporting those to whom reading comes easier. The public library is the place where readers of all ages and reading levels can browse at their own pace and make selections independently or with assistance from knowledgeable librarians. Hosting activities and events that showcase authors is another way the library inspires young readers to explore the diversity of literature available and to experience worlds beyond their own.
To keep up with the library’s activities, including author visits, sign up for our email newsletter (https://tinyurl.com/WCPLNews) and follow us on social media (Facebook, Instagram, X, Threads, & Bluesky). Don’t forget: library events are free, and so is a library card! Come check us out!
-by Ashley Fowlkes
Digital Content Manager
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