Outstanding Pennsylvania Author and/or Illustrator

The Outstanding Pennsylvania Author and/or Illustrator Award recognizes an author and/or illustrator who has made a notable contribution to the field of literature for youth.

PSLA AWARDS

Distinguished Service Award

PSLA Presidential Award

Outstanding Pennsylvania Author and/or Illustrator

Outstanding School Administrator (Building or District)

Outstanding Pennsylvania School Library

Pennsylvania School Library Innovators

Pennsylvania Young Reader's Choice Award Program

2019 Recipient: Jewell Parker Rhodes

Born in the Pittsburgh area and an alum of Carnegie-Mellon University, Jewell Parker Rhodes has strong ties to Pennsylvania and has authored a compelling body of work for young readers. Her books, including Ninth Ward, Sugar, Bayou Magic, Towers Falling, and Ghost Boys, have received numerous awards and recognitions, and challenge readers to contemplate and grapple with issues related to current and historical events, identity and adolescence, social justice, resilience, family, and more. She is a powerful storyteller and an important voice in literature for children and young adults, and we are thrilled to recognize her as our 2019 Outstanding Pennsylvania Author!

Previous Outstanding PA Authors and/or Illustrators Award Winners

Eligibility

• Members of the Awards Committee, PSLA Board of Directors, and/or elected officers of PSLA are not eligible to apply.
• The nominee must be a present or former Pennsylvania resident or whose work represents or reflects Pennsylvania.
• The nominee's body of work must show evidence of substantial and lasting impact on children or young adult literature.
• Nominations for all awards must be completed by a current PSLA member.

Application

 Nomination deadline: September 30th

Nomination forms and scoring rubrics for our 2020 slate of awards will be released on April 1st.

If you have any questions, please contact the Awards Committee Chair ([email protected]).