Apply for a 2010 Young Adult Literature Symposium Stipend! YALSA will award two stipends, worth up to $1,000, for travel and registration costs at the 2010 Young Adult Literature Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico, Nov. 5-7, 2010.

Applications are due Jan. 4.

It’s Ambassador Scieszka to you. Yes, John Scieszka is the United States first National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. I don’t think they could have chosen a better author. Scieszka writes both children’s and young adults, especially for the age when most boys stop reading. The position, created by the Library of Congress, is for two-years and the ambassador will travel the country promoting reading. Jon stated in his interview for NPR, his own experience as an author teaching children to read for pleasure. He is looking forward to challenging the recent NEA report stating a decline in overall reading among young adults. Scieszka sees the importance of non-fiction titles and comic books as being included in good reading habits for kids. This is an exciting time for youth literature.

• Hey y’all! (I’m channeling Paula Dean, right now) I’m getting ready to start the Summer Reading Workshops. I’m leaving for Ardmore today, the workshop is tomorrow and then to Checotah. I’ll be back at ODL on Friday, but not at my desk.
• Friday is Read Across America Day at the Oklahoma City Zoo. I’ll be helping ODL’s Literacy Office. Also, send a birthday card to The Cat in the Hat. Every card sent RandomHouse donates a book to First Book.
• Monday is the Stillwater workshop.
• If you haven’t already, there is still time and room to sign up. Links to the online registration form and the agenda’s are on the CYA home page.

Looking forward to meeting all you!