Inaugural Amelia Elizabeth Walden Award for
Young Adult Fiction Launched

The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents (ALAN) of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is pleased and proud to announce the first annual Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award.

Established in 2008 to honor the wishes of young adult author, Amelia Elizabeth Walden, the award allows for the sum of $5,000 to be presented annually to the author of a young adult title selected by the ALAN Amelia Elizabeth Walden Book Award Committee as demonstrating a positive approach to life, widespread teen appeal, and literary merit.

Amelia Elizabeth Walden was born in New York City on January 15, 1909. She graduated from Columbia University in 1934 and attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts. From 1935 to 1945, she taught English and Dramatics at Norwalk High School in Connecticut. Walden wrote over 40 novels for young adults. She passed away in 2002 in Westport, Connecticut.

***ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE FINALISTS FORTHCOMING***

Over the past year, the ALAN Award Committee members considered 232 young adult titles for this inaugural award. The finalists will be announced on Friday, July 17, 2009. The winning title will be revealed at the November 2009 ALAN Workshop in Philadelphia, PA. A reception will be held in honor of all finalists, each of whom will be invited to participate in a public reading.

For more information about the award, please contact the 2009 AEW Award Committee Chair, Wendy Glenn, at wendy.glenn@uconn.edu.

I left the hotel at 7-ish and walked over to the Fairmont for my Printz meeting. Along the way, I paused to take a few snaps showing what is going on outside whilst I am inside.




Here is a sign advertising the Art Show taking place this weekend along Michigan Avenue. And in case there was any doubt, take a look at this, American Gothic Texas style




Then, I crossed the river and headed to the hotel.




Between morning and afternoon Printz sessions, I was part of an audio panel with many of my Sisterhood of the Best.Committee.Ever (that's Odyssey Committee to the newer readers of the blog). Here is Connie Rockman listening intently.




And here is the appreciative audience waiting for the session to get underway:




Then, mre Printz. Now I am back in my room to prepare for the Newbery Banquet. I will try to send some tweets and pix from the event.