EJK Award is given annually to an outstanding new writer and new illustrator by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation in partnership with the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
About the EJK Award • All Winners & Honors • Mock EJK Award Toolkits • FAQ • EJK Award Book Discussion Guides
Meet the 2025 EJK Award Committee
(L to R) Ellen Ruffin, Curator Emerita of the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection, Sam Bloom, Librarian, Lane Public Library in Hamilton, OH, Dr. Monica Brown, Author, Lesa Cline-Ransome, Author, Pat Cummings, Author/Illustrator, Melissa Iwai, Author/Illustrator, Cathy Mercier, Professor, Graduate Programs Director of Children’s Literature, Simmons University, Deborah Taylor, Librarian retired from the Enoch Pratt Free Library in Baltimore, MD. Learn More
EJK Award Book Discussion Guides
Designed to be used with a selection of EJK Award and Honor books, these Discussion Guides highlight “themes” or “perspectives” in specific books that can then be used to develop active and critical reading skills for children of all ages.
Run a Mock EJK Award
The Mock EJK Award Toolkits provide guidance for an exciting group activity in which you and your students discuss, evaluate and together vote for the Mock EJK Award winners.