National Book Foundation facts for kids
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| Founded | July 1989 |
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| Type | Non-profit |
| Headquarters | New York City, New York, U.S. |
| Services | Celebrating literary achievements |
| Fields | Literary Prize |
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Key people
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Ruth Dickey, Executive Director, David Steinberger, Chairman |
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Staff
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8 staff, 18 board members |
The National Book Foundation (NBF) is a special group in America. It is a nonprofit organization, which means it doesn't try to make money. Its main goal is to help people appreciate great books and writing in the United States.
The NBF was started in 1989. It is famous for running the National Book Awards. These are big prizes given to amazing American books every year. The NBF also creates fun and educational programs about reading and writing for people of all ages. The NBF is guided by a Board of Directors. This board includes important people from libraries and the book world.
National Book Awards: Celebrating Great Books
The National Book Awards are annual literary prizes. They started in 1950. These awards celebrate outstanding American literature. Today, awards are given in five main areas:
- Fiction (made-up stories)
- Nonfiction (true stories and facts)
- Poetry
- Translated Literature (books originally in another language)
- Young People's Literature (books for kids and teens)
A special group of five judges decides the honored titles in each category. These judges are writers, librarians, booksellers, and critics. They first pick a "Longlist" of ten books. Then, they narrow it down to five "Finalists." The winners are announced at a big ceremony in November.
Special Lifetime Awards
Besides the five main National Book Awards, the Foundation gives two special awards. These awards honor people who have spent their lives making great contributions to American literature.
- The Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters
- The Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community
5 Under 35: Honoring New Writers
The "5 Under 35" program started in 2005. It honors five new fiction writers who are under 35 years old. Previous award winners or "5 Under 35" honorees choose these writers. Each writer receives a $1,000 prize. Famous people like Questlove and LeVar Burton have hosted the award ceremony.
NBF Programs: Reading and Learning
The National Book Foundation runs many programs. These programs help people of all ages connect with books and reading.
Education Programs
BookUp: Reading Groups for Students
BookUp is a main education program of the NBF. It connects middle and high school students with local authors. It also runs free reading groups. Since 2007, BookUp has given away over 35,000 free books. The program helps about 500 students each year. It helps them build their home libraries and improve their reading skills. BookUp works in cities like New York City, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Huntsville, TX.
Book Rich Environments: Books for Families
The Book Rich Environments program helps families living in public housing. It gives them free, high-quality books. It also connects them with library activities and educational programs. This program is active in 37 communities across the United States.
NBF Teacher Fellowship: Supporting Educators
The NBF Teacher Fellowship supports public school teachers. It helps teachers in grades 6-12. The program focuses on teachers who use new ways to make reading fun for students. It offers professional training, money for books, and a small payment.
Public Programs
NBF Presents: Authors on Tour
NBF Presents programs bring National Book Awards honorees to different places. They visit libraries, colleges, and book festivals across the country. They hold readings and other literary events. This series is based on the older "National Book Awards on Campus" program. That program started in 2005. Colleges like Sam Houston State University and Amherst College still host NBF Presents events.
Literature for Justice: Understanding Incarceration
Literature for Justice (LFJ) is a special campaign. It aims to help people understand the experiences of those in prison. Each year, a group of authors and advocates chooses five books. These books help the public learn more about incarceration in the United States.
Past Programs
The NBF has also run other programs in the past. These include Author in Focus, Eat, Drink & Be Literary, and Why Reading Matters.
See also
