Winners of 29th Annual Lambda Literary Awards

Lambda Literary, the nation's leading organization advancing lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) literature, announced the winners of the 29th Annual Lambda Literary Awards (the "Lammys") on Monday, June 12 at NYU Skirball Center for the Performing Arts in New York City. Jacqueline Woodson and Jeanette Winterson were also honored for their lifetime achievements. Tony Award–winning actress Cynthia Nixon introduced Woodson, calling her a "writer who is part of the institution but stands outside it and critiques." Accepting the Visionary Award, Woodson noted, "The work we do as a queer community for the generations beyond us make me proud to be standing here and accept this award." M.E. Girard’s debut novel Girl Mans Up (HarperCollins, 2017) took the top prize in the LGBT Children's/Young Adult category.

Teen internship program to launch at Library of Congress

This summer, 50 teens from diverse backgrounds and from 25 states will participate in the first-ever national Inclusive Internship Initiative, set to kick off at 9:30 a.m. on June 16, in the Madison Building of the Library of Congress. The program is the first of its kind to introduce teens to careers in librarianship. Through a pre-professional Laura Bush 21st Century Librarian Program Grant, Public Library Association (PLA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), will provide 50 high school juniors and seniors from underrepresented backgrounds at 39 host libraries (including Alaska and Hawaii and two tribal libraries) with competitive wages for summer jobs within libraries. Participating interns will have a unique opportunity to connect with one another and participate in training sessions on June 16 and 17 with some of our nation’s most renowned library leaders, including Felton Thomas Jr., President, Public Library Association; Robert Newlen, Deputy Librarian for Institutional Advancement, Library of Congress; and Robin Dale, Acting Deputy Director of Libraries, Institute of Museum and Library Services. Interns reflect the diversity of local communities and align with eligibility for the American Library Association (ALA) Spectrum Scholarship and Century Scholars programs.

Teen Read Week 2017

Teen Read Week will be celebrated on October 8–14. The national adolescent literacy initiative created by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) began in 1998 and is held annually in October the same week as Columbus Day. Its purpose is to encourage teens to be regular readers and library users. This year’s theme is “Unleash Your Story." Library staff, after-school providers, and educators are encouraged to leverage this theme to encourage teens to tell their own stories as well as find stories, biographies, autobiographies, folktales, and more in their local library. Join the conversation on Twitter with #TRW17.

A Writer and Librarian Connection

Public librarian and YA author Lauren Gibaldi has created The Writer/Librarian Connection, a place where librarians and YA authors can establish a relationship to exchange information and even receive/distribute book-related giveaways. Interested librarians can sign up to receive free promotional materials from authors (bookmarks, buttons, stickers, and advance readers copies). Authors can sign up to get access to the librarians’ contact info in order to send promotional materials to libraries and schools. Over 150 authors have already signed up. Contact the site via writerlibrarianconnection@gmail.com with any questions or comments.

2017 YA Services Symposium

YALSA’s 2017 YA Services Symposium will take place in Louisville, KY, November 3–5, at the Hyatt Regency Louisville with the theme “Libraries:  Helping All Teens Build a Better Future.” Registration has already opened and interested attendees can sign up for updates here.

10th Annual 2017 Children's & Teen Choice Book Awards

Every Child a Reader, a nonprofit charity dedicated to inspiring a love of reading in children and teens, recently revealed the winners of the 10th Annual Children's & Teen Choice Book Awards. The award finalists were chosen as follows: As supervised by the International Literacy Association, children in five school systems spread around the country read and discussed books in the picture book and middle grade categories; books for teens were nominated online at TeenReads.com. Then, the seven finalists in each of the four categories were voted on nationwide via a COPA-compliant online voting site hosted by DOGObooks, as well as by voting ballots submitted by groups organized by teachers, librarians, and independent bookstore staff. Voting ended on May 7, the last day of Children's Book Week, celebrating its 98th year with over 2,500 library, school, and bookstore events this year. For the first time, the announcement of the winners took place at BookExpo, the national book trade show held at the Javits Center, in a ceremony hosted by the National Ambassador for Young People's Literature, Gene Luen Yang. The 2017 winners are: K–2nd Grade Book of the Year: MADELINE FINN AND THE LIBRARY DOG, by Lisa Papp (Peachtree) 3rd–4th Grade Book of the Year: ONCE UPON AN ELEPHANT by Linda Stanek; illus. by Shennen Bersani (Arbordale) 5th–6th Grade Book of the Year: THE MISADVENTURES OF MAX CRUMBLY 1: Locker Hero, by Rachel Renée Russell, with Nikki and Erin Russell (S. & S./Aladdin) Teen Book of the Year: THE CROOKED KINGDOM, by Leigh Bardugo (Macmillan/Holt)

2017 Audies Revealed

The Audio Publishers Association (APA) announced the winners of the 2017 Audie Awards® at its 22nd annual Audies Gala, hosted by comedian Paula Poundstone, on June 1 at the French Institute Alliance Française in Manhattan. AUDIOBOOK OF THE YEAR Hamilton: The Revolution by Lin-Manuel Miranda and Jeremy McCarter, narrated by Mariska Hargitay with the authors, published by Hachette Audio MIDDLE GRADE How to Train Your Dragon: How to Fight a Dragon’s Fury by Cressida Cowell, narrated by David Tennant, published by Hachette Audio YOUNG ADULT Salt to the Sea by Ruta Sepetys, narrated by Jorjeana Marie, Will Damron, Cassandra Morris, and Michael Crouch, published by Listening Library YOUNG LISTENERS (up to age 8) 28 Days: Moments in Black History That Changed the World by Charles R. Smith Jr., narrated by Dion Graham, William Jackson Harper, Zainab Jah, January LaVoy, Robin Miles, Lizan Mitchell, Jonathan Earl Peck, and Carter Woodson Redwood, published by Live Oak Media