National Ambassador

Please visit Walter Dean Myers’ page on the Library of Congress’ Read.gov site for National Ambassador program information, press, multimedia, and more!

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature raises national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is named by the Librarian of Congress for a two-year term, based on recommendations from a selection committee representing many segments of the book community. The selection criteria include the candidate’s contribution to young people’s literature and ability to relate to children.

The Center for the Book in the Library of Congress, the Children’s Book Council (CBC) and its foundation, Every Child a Reader, are the sponsors of the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature initiative.