Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature

In 1991, SLMS/NYLA established the Knickerbocker Award for Juvenile Literature.  It recognizes a New York State author who has demonstrated, through a body of work, a consistently superior quality which supports the curriculum and the educational goals of New York State School.

The award is named for a group of 19th century New York State authors who wished to nurture a national literature.  It is presented annually to a living author/illustrator currently residing in New York State.

Tiffany and Company designed the crystal award for which Beverly Choltco Devlin designed the graphic.

SLMS members may nominate a New York State author or illustrator by submitting this form, filled out in its entirety, to the Knickerbocker Award Chairperson by March 1^st of a given year. Nominated authors will be placed on an electronic ballot, with voting by SLMS members to be held that May.  The nomination form must accompany all nominations to be accepted for this vote.

This is your opportunity to not only help recognize an outstanding author/illustrator, but also to help choose the banquet speaker for the SLMS Spring Conference!

To assist with your nomination, and for your information, here is a partial listing of authors and illustrators living in New York State:   click here for  the list also check out  http://nysauthorsandillustrators.pbwiki.com/.

2011 Knickerbocker Winner:  Linda Sue Park

Linda Sue Park is the 2011 Knickerbocker winner. The winner of the 2012 Knickerbocker Award will be announced at the Membership Meeting at the 2011 SLMS conference in Buffalo, NY.

Knickerbocker Award Winners

KNICKERBOCKER FAQ’S:

 I’ve nominated an author before. Can I re-submit their name?
Yes, please do. Nominations are not carried forward from year to year.What if they were on last year’s ballot?

• The voting is always close. Please do re-submit the names of the author/illustrator you want to honor.

Who can nominate an author?
Only those whose SLMS membership can be verified may nominate an author or illustrator for the Knickerbocker Award by submitting this form filled out in its entirety to the Knickerbocker Award Chairperson by March 1^st of a given year.

How is the winner selected?
Members of NYLA-SLMS vote electronically, selecting from the list of vetted candidates. To vote, one must log into the NYLA Online Membership Center using  membership userid and password. The voting that takes place in May is for the award 2 years in the future, i.e., May 2007 voting is for the 2009 Award winner.

How are candidates "vetted?"
Members of the Knickerbocker Committee verify that:

• The author/illustrator was nominated by a current SLMS member.
• The author/illustrator currently lives in NY State.
• The author/illustrator has a body of work that supports the NYS curriculum.

Nominations may be sent to Karen O'Donnell, Knickerbocker Chair at: KODonnell@Bataviacsd.org or Karen O'Donnell, Knickerbocker Chair,
Jackson Elementary, 177 Vine Street, Batavia, NY14020-1638.  Any additional questions may be directed to Karen at these addresses.