Jane Addams Children's Book Award

Jane Addams (1860–1935) was an inspired activist who struck at the roots of social injustice through persistent and thoughtful action, advocating for reforms in sanitation, housing and work conditions, and child labor. In 1915 Addams founded the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom (WILPF), and in 1931 she became the first American female recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. Eighteen years after Addams’s death, members of the WILPF created the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award. Presented annually, the award honors children’s books that invite readers to think deeply about peace, social justice, world community, and equality for all races and genders. The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award: Honoring Children’s Literature for Peace and Social Justice since 1953 is the first book to examine the award as well as its winners and honor books. In this volume, Susan C. Griffith reviews and synthesizes Addams’s ideas and legacy, so that her life and accomplishments can be used as a focal point for exploring issues of social justice through children’s literature. In addition to a history and overview of the award, this work contains annotated bibliographies with thematically arranged winners and honor books bestowed in Addams’s name. Supporting literature study in classrooms and integrating points of reflection drawn from the activist’s life, The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award is an invaluable resource for educators, students, and librarians.

Griffith’s book is far more than an annotated bibliography of the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award winners and honor books; she provides discussions of the complex Addams and her representation in biographies; the controversial granting of the award to Theodore Taylor for The Cay and the issues this title raised in evaluating books as promoters of racial harmony and understanding; and reviews of some noteworthy biographies of Addams. Part 2 begins with a history of the work of the Book Award committee, and then lists the Award winner and honor books in reverse chronological order. Each entry includes a bibliographic citation and a one-paragraph synopsis. Appendixes include a list of winners by three broad themes and 26 subjects; the 1957 and 1994 guidelines; and a timeline of events in the life of Jane Addams and her publications. General, author/illustrator, and title indexes complete the volume. Given the wealth of information provided, the insightful discussion of issues, and the importance of this award, it is highly recommended for all school, public, and academic libraries that support children’s literature collections., Griffith's book provides a well-researched and well-written contribution to Addams scholarship. . . .[T]he main value of the book is as an excellent selection tool for librarians and educators to find books that inspire children to think about issues of peace and social justice. . . .The extensive number of sources Griffith provides in each chapter also makes this a good place to start for researchers interested in Addams scholarship. Of course, anyone else interested in Addams, the award, or children's literature in general would also find it a quick and informative read., The Jane Addams Children's Book Award: Honoring Children's Literature for Peace and Social Justice since 1953 . . . offers a comprehensive look at the award's entire history. Along with a complete annotated chronological list of winners and honor books, Griffith includes essays about Addams herself; an analysis of juvenile biographies of her; a version of the piece on Taylor referenced above; and a perceptive analysis of the award's guidelines.

Susan C. Griffith is associate professor, English Language and Literature at Central Michigan University where she teaches children’s literature and English education courses. She served on the Jane Addams Children’s Book Award Committee for nine years, including four years (2007-2010) as Chair.