The Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of the National Council of Teachers of English (ALAN) announced that they are establishing the Bill Konigsberg Award for Acts and Activism for Equity and Inclusion through Young Adult Literature.
Named for YA author Bill Konigsberg, the award will be presented annually to "an individual who has acted in selfless advocacy of marginalized youth through the creation, teaching, funding or other form of promotion of young adult literature."
This announcement comes after Konigsberg shared the video and transcript of a speech entitled "Proud, Fierce Papa Bear" that he gave at the 2018 ALAN conference after participating in a panel with a presenter who made homophobic remarks.
"Ever since I found out about the award, I’ve been feeling deeply grateful and a little overwhelmed. Thank you, anonymous donor! Thank you, ALAN. That every year someone is going to win an award named after this Papa Bear is humbling to say the very least," Konigsberg said.
Konigsberg is the author of many books for young readers, including Openly Straight, Honestly Ben, The Porcupine of Truth, and the forthcoming The Music of What Happens.
Photo: Noah Schaffer Photography
