The William Allen White Children's Book Award is a set of two annual awards for books selected by vote of

Kansas Kansas () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern United States. Its Capital city, capital is Topeka, Kansas, Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita, Kansas, Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebras ...

schoolchildren from lists prepared by committee. As a single award it was established in 1952 by

Ruth Garver Gagliardo Ruth Garver Gagliardo (September 6, 1895 – January 4, 1980) was an American educator known for her work in developing library services for children. Gagliardo was referred to as the "Kansas Book Lady" for her efforts in promoting books and advo ...

, a children's literature specialist at

Emporia State University Emporia State University (Emporia State or ESU) is a public university in Emporia, Kansas, United States. Established in March 1863 as the Kansas State Normal School, Emporia State is the third-oldest public university in the state of Kansas. ...

, which continues to direct the program. It is named for

William Allen White William Allen White (February 10, 1868 – January 29, 1944) was an American newspaper editor, politician, author, and leader of the Progressive movement. Between 1896 and his death, White became a spokesman for middle America. At a 193 ...

(1868–1944), long-time publisher and editor of ''

The Emporia Gazette The ''Emporia Gazette'' is a daily newspaper in Emporia, Kansas. History William Allen White bought the newspaper for $3,000 ($ in dollars) in 1895. Through his editorship, over the next five decades, he became an iconic figure in American jou ...

''. The White Award is the oldest statewide children's choice book award in the United States. From 2001, two winners have been chosen each year, one by students in grades 3 to 5 and one by students in grades 6 to 8, from separate lists of books. The award website includes an archive of annual Master Lists that is complete back to the list of 18 books for school year 1952–53. Curriculum Guides "designed to be used in teaching or preparing instructional units" are prepared for books on the year's Master List and some past Guides are available. Currently (as of October 2019), the annual celebration at Emporia early in October includes a Friday evening "Read-Ins and Sleepovers" with space for 100 people. After Saturday morning activities, student representatives present medals to the winning writers at the Awards Ceremony. Travel to Emporia is an incentive in some classroom reading programs. At least once (2011), a writer declined because of a conflict on the celebration date and was replaced as the White Award winner.

Recipients 1953–2000

There were 49 winners of the single William Allen White Book Children's Book Award in its 48 years through 2000, with two winners in 1974.

Recipients 2001–2020

Notelist

References

{{reflist , 25em , refs= "Home"
William Allen White Children's Book Awards (WAWCBA). Emporia State University (emporia.edu). Retrieved 2014-05-05. "Celebration"
WAWCBA. ESU. Retrieved 2014-05-05. "Master Lists"
WAWCBA. ESU. Retrieved 2014-05-05.