FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Janelle Mihoc
admin@edupaperback.org
EBMA NAMES JASON REYNOLDS WINNER OF THE 2024 JEREMIAH LUDINGTON MEMORIAL AWARD
October 15, 2024 – The Educational Book and Media Association (EBMA) is pleased to announce that Jason Reynolds is the recipient of the 2024 Jeremiah Ludington Memorial Award. The award, named after EBMA’s founder, is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the educational book world. Past recipients include Jeff Kinney, Jerry Craft, Joseph Bruchac, Nikki Grimes, Jane Yolen, and Kate DiCamillo.
Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous award-winning books, including When I Was the Greatest, The Boy in the Black Suit, All American Boys, Long Way Down, Look Both Ways, Stamped, and his debut picture book, There Was a Party for Langston. To date, he has published 22 books, with the most recent, Twenty-four Seconds from Now… available October 8, 2024. Jason was recently named a 2024 MacArthur Fellow. He was also named the 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress and was the 2023 recipient of the American Library Association’s Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring his significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. Jason is currently on faculty at Lesley University for the Writing for Young People MFA Program, and lives in Washington, DC.
“The EBMA community is honored to present this year’s Ludington Award to Jason Reynolds,” said Ben Conn, EBMA President. “Jason’s books cover a range of topics including neighborhood codes, the dangers of labeling, gun violence, grief, racism, censorship, but also love, family, teamwork, friendship, hope – and just as important, humor. His words engage readers and start conversations. We all look forward to many more years of new stories from Jason.”
Jason Reynolds will accept the Jeremiah Ludington Memorial Award at EBMA’s annual meeting in Las Vegas in January 2025. As part of the award, EBMA will present a $2,000 check to DC Scores, founded by a D.C. public school teacher, which empowers young people to create change through sports, the arts, and service: https://www.dcscores.org/get-involved/.
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EBMA is an association of 117 wholesalers and publishers who are reputable and authoritative suppliers of educational paperbacks, hardcovers, pre-bound books, e-books, and other digital and print materials to the school and library market. The mission of EBMA is to foster a unique community that brings together a wide range of wholesalers and publishers to address the ever-changing book and media buying needs of the educational marketplace.
For more information about EBMA and the Ludington Award, visit www.edupaperback.org.
