43rd Annual NAACP Image Awards

     Founded in 1909, the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, (NAACP) is the nation's oldest and largest civil rights organization.  From the ballot box to the classroom, the thousands of dedicated workers, organizers, leaders and members who make up the NAACP, continue to fight for social justice for all Americans.

    
     The 43 Annual NAACP Image Awards ceremony will be held on March 4, 2012.  The Image Awards celebrate and honor outstanding people of color in film, television, music and literature.  I'm so pleased to announce that two of my colleagues/friends are being considered for this year's nomination.   I am asking all of my friends and colleagues to support the social media campaign for both of these authors.  Please keep in mind, the campaign raises the awareness of the nominee’s submission and heightens the chance for a final nomination.  The final nominations will be announced January 2012.

     
     Vanessa I. Morris book, “The Reader’s Advisory Guide to Street Literature,” published by ALA Editions, has been submitted for nomination for Outstanding Literary Work - Instructional.  Morris is the Assistant Teaching Professor at The iSCHOOL at Drexel’s University’s College of Information Science and Technology in Philadelphia.  She is the country’s foremost Street Literature Scholar and writes frequently on her blog, Street Literature.   Her work is referenced and used heavily by school, public, special and academic librarians.   The book has helped me  and my peers gain a better understanding of the genre and has served as a helpful resource when making purchases for my teen patrons.  Essentially, Morris has created a reference masterpiece for those who wish to learn more about Street Literature.  The interesting historical facts of the genre, effectiveness and current use of Street Literature is heavily discussed.  

     
    National Bestselling Author and Award-Winning author, Earl Sewell, has written nineteen novels and has had his work featured in several anthologies and magazines.   Sewell’s, “Keysha’s Drama” series published by Kimani Tru is very popular with pre-teen and teen readers.  “Maya’s Choice” has been submitted for nomination for Outstanding Literary Work - Teen/Young Adult Category.  You can read more about Sewell on his website at www.earlsewell.com.  The students that attend my high school are crazy about Sewell's teen book series.   My library currently has multiple copies of his books and they are always in circulation.  I've also had the pleasure of having him speak to my students during one of his book tours where he was received well by the teens.  I call Sewell one of those 'observant' authors that is keenly aware of the emotional and social challenges today's teens face.  He is a young adult author that has the gift of cleverly weaving a good story that teens will enjoy without preaching.

Please support both of these authors in their quest for a nomination.  Both authors are committed to producing books that help us all understand teens just a little better.  Just click on the following link for the Facebook NAACP Image Awards page, (http://www.facebook.com/naacpimageaward) then click on the ‘Like’ button and post your support on their wall, it’s just that easy.  That’s all for now!

   Vanessa I. Morris

Earl Sewell