NEW BOOK AWARD SEEKS SUBMISSIONS!

NCBLA Board Member Nikki Grimes
shouts out for a new children's book award-
Horace Mann Upstanders Book Awards

Antioch University Los Angeles today announced the launch
of their first annual Horace Mann Upstanders Book Awards
for K-6 fiction. An 'upstander' is a person who recognizes injustice
and acts in a way to right the wrong. The award honors new
children's literature that best exemplifies the ideals of social
action and in turn encourages young readers to become agents
of change themselves."Being an Upstander is when an individual
or a group chooses to take a positive stand and act on behalf of 
themselves and others" added Dr. J.Cynthia McDermott, 
Chair of the Education program at Antioch University Los 
Angeles. "These awards honor literature that encourages 
readers to take that risk and stand up for something they 
believe in." 

The award committee will be comprised of Antioch University 
Los Angeles graduate students, faculty members, and local 
educational community leaders from the greater Los Angeles community. 
The panel will be looking for literature that is well developed, with 
sincere characters and a heartfelt story that promotes upstanding 
behavior and choices. Examples of literature works that would meet 
the criteria include: The Araboolies of Liberty Street by Sam Swope;
Farmer Duck by Martin Waddell; and The Good Griselle by Jane Yolen.

"The Horace Mann Upstanders Book Awards are all about encouraging 
children to become civically engaged and to become active members in 
our democratic society" said Dr. Neal King, President of Antioch University 
Los Angeles. "At AULA we are passionate about social change and we believe 
there is no better way to encourage this behavior than through literature."
The awards are sponsored by the Antioch University Los Angeles graduate 
education program, in partnership with the Better World JL Institute and
the South Bay Literacy Foundation. Books submitted for consideration must have 
been published in North American in 2007/2008 and be targeted towards K-6 grade 
readers. Submissions are being accepted through March 15, 2008 and the first 
annual Horace Mann Upstanders Book Award winner(s) will be announced in 
June, 2008.

For more information contact Joanna Gerber, Director of Communications &
Public Relations, at (310) 578-1080 ext. 119.