Children's & Teen Awards/Best Books Lists Roundup

Annually, YALSA's blogging team recommends a list of great graphic novels and illustrated nonfiction for those ages 12-18. Their list of ten titles includes annotations, review, suggested cataloging, ISBN and age range.

Stop here to see the complete list.

A tip of the hat to the WVLS Youth Services Information Exchange Facebook page for these two recent list tips.

Rise: A Feminist Book Project Top Ten List
The Feminist Task Force of the Social Responsibilities Round Table of the American Library Association.creates an annual book list of the best feminist books for young readers from birth through age 18. 

• 2024 Top Ten List
•  Past Top Ten Lists

EJK Illustrator Award

Ezra Jack Keats Award

EJK Award is given annually to an outstanding new writer and new illustrator by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation in partnership with the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM).

The Ezra Jack Keats Award was created to nurture illustrators and writers, early in their careers, who create extraordinary books that reflect our diverse population, the universal experience of childhood and the strength of family and community. 

EJK Author Award

2024 winners and honors

LIVESTREAM the EJK Award Ceremony, April 11, 1:00pm ET (details coming soon)

About the EJK Award • All Winners & Honors • Mock EJK Award Toolkits • FAQ • EJK Award Book Discussion Guides

2020 Ezra Jack Keats Mini Grants

2020 Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant Call for Proposals

Up to 70 Grants Totaling $35,000 are Given Directly to Educators in Public Schools and Libraries Across the Country Every Year

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, dedicated to supporting arts and literacy programs in public schools and libraries across the country, is encouraging qualifying educators to apply for an Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant now! Applications are being accepted and the deadline for submissions is March 31, 2020.

Approximately 70 grants, up to $500 each, will be awarded to teachers and librarians in public schools and libraries whose proposals reflect an imaginative approach to experiential learning. Decisions will be emailed to all applicants in May, allowing educators to plan for the next academic year.

“Every year I’m amazed at the creative programs we’re privileged to support. It’s a joy to see how much fun educators bring to their students with EJK Mini-Grants.” says Deborah Pope, Executive Director of the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation.

Since 1987, the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation has provided over $1,000,000 in support of EJK Mini-Grant programs spanning the 50 states and U.S commonwealths. To learn more about EJK Mini-Grants, and to see the criteria for application, visit Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grants.

2019 Ezra Jack Keats Mini Grants

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation, dedicated to supporting arts and literacy programs in public schools and libraries across the country, is encouraging qualifying educators to apply for a 2019 Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grant. Applications are currently being accepted, and the deadline for submissions is March 31, 2019.  Approximately 70 grants, up to $500 each, will be awarded to teachers and librarians whose proposals demonstrate creativity and a desire to make learning fun.

Find out more about the mini-grants and the application process HERE.

Mini-Grant Opportunity!

The Ezra Jack Keats Foundation is officially putting out the call for program proposals for the 2019 Ezra Jack Keats Mini-Grants Program!

Every year, approximately 70 grants worth up to $500 each will be awarded to schools, libraries, and preschools in the public sector.

The Mini-Grant program focuses on creative and innovative enrichment activities that foster creative expression, cooperation, and community.  Check out the Great Mini-Grant Programs gallery for inspiration and let your imagination run wild!  (To give you an idea of how varied the funded programs can be: a few past winners have included programs focused on bookmaking, puppetry, community gardens, storytelling, and mathematics!)

For more information on the application process and/or to get started, click HERE.  Proposals are due on March 31st!