The Mark Twain Award is a prestigious award presented annually to recognize the excellence of international authors for outstanding children’s literature. Established in 1992 and presented by the American Library Association in partnership with the International Board on Books for Young People, the Mark Twain Award recognizes literary works with the power to generate a sense of fun, adventure and wonder in young readers.
The criteria for the award focuses on the impact of the nominated works on young people around the world. In order to be eligible for consideration, the book must have been published in the United States and must have received an international award at least once, such as the International Board on Books for Young People’s Hans Christian Andersen Award or another recognized international award. A committee of judges assesses the books based on their impact, creativity and originality, the way the writing speaks to young minds and the potential to become a classic within the genre.
The award is named after one of America’s best-known and beloved authors, Mark Twain. Twain’s books have captivated generations of readers, inspiring the imaginations of the young and old alike. His humor and wit have earned him a place as one of the most celebrated American authors. The Mark Twain Award gives authors the opportunity to capitalize on the legacy of Twain and create works that will continue to receive recognition for generations to come.
The selection process for the award is rigorous and begins with creating a list of nominations from publishers and libraries. Each book is read by a team of trained professionals who evaluate the books based on several criteria. Ultimately, the top titles are voted on by a group of adults and teens who each review and discuss the books before selecting the winners. This process ensures that the works are judged on their literary merits rather than any commercial considerations.
Each year, two books receive the Mark Twain Award: one for the internationally recognized Hans Christian Award and one for other innovative international works. Both of these books are honored with a plaque, which features an embossed portrait of Mark Twain and a monetary prize. The winners of the awards are also featured in the official catalog of the American Library Association and on the International Board on Books for Young People website.
The Mark Twain Award is an exhilarating opportunity for authors to have their works recognized by their peers and to be immortalized alongside one of America’s most beloved writers. Every year, authors strive to create works that will not only entertain and educate young readers, but will also become part of a timeless legacy.
History of the Award
The Mark Twain Award has been presented annually since 1992, during a ceremony held at the annual American Library Association Conference. The award is named after American author Mark Twain, one of the best-known and beloved authors of all time. Twain’s books have entertained, inspired and captivated readers for generations, making him a beloved figure for young and old alike.
The inception of the award was the result of the collaborative efforts of the American Library Association and the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) to recognize outstanding international authors, and to promote international exchange of literary works. By uniting these two influential organizations, the Mark Twain Award was created to honor the works of authors around the world and to provide an opportunity for their stories to be read and shared by young people.
Since its introduction, the Mark Twain Award has presented a total of 58 books by 53 authors. Authors such as Astrid Lindgren, Barbara Cooney, Norton Juster and Lloyd Alexander have each received the award, and the works of current winners, such as Neelam Rao, Ruth Behar and Kristjana S.Williams, demonstrate that the award remains an important champion of diversity.
The award not only recognizes the works of international authors, but also contributes to the proliferation of international books for young readers. It is a celebration of authorship and the creation of timeless stories that can be enjoyed by generations of readers.
Criteria for Nomination
In order for a book to be eligible for consideration for the award, it must meet certain requirements. Each book must be published in the United States and must have received recognition, such as an award, from the International Board on Books for Young People or another recognized international award.
The Mark Twain Award selection process is conducted in two stages: before and after the nomination. Before nomination, the list of eligible books is created from publishers and libraries. This list is then evaluated by a team of trained professionals, who assess the books based on several criteria, including impact, creativity and originality, the ability to appeal to young minds and the potential to become a classic within the genre. The top titles are then voted on by a panel of judges which include adults and teens, ensuring that works are judged on their literary merits rather than any commercial considerations.
Once the finalists are announced, the awards ceremony is held at the annual American Library Association Conference. During the ceremony, the winning books are presented with a plaque featuring an embossed portrait of Mark Twain, and a monetary prize is given to each of the two recipients. The recipients are also featured in the official catalog of the American Library Association and on the International Board on Books for Young People website.
List of Winners
Over the years, many authors have been honored with the Mark Twain Award and have had their works recognized as classics. Notable winners of the award include Astrid Lindgren, Karen Hesse, Christopher Paul Curtis, Lloyd Alexander, Francisco Jiménez, Norton Juster and Megan McDonald. The works of current winners, such as Ruth Behar, Kristjana S. Williams and Neelam Rao, demonstrate that the award remains committed to celebrating diversity.
In 2020, the award was presented to Jon Klassen for his book ‘This is Not My Hat’ and to Deirdre Sullivan for her book ‘The Corn Witch.’ Both of these books were judged upon their impact on young readers, their creative and original stories, and their potential to become timeless classics.
The Mark Twain Award is a prestigious award that celebrates the legacy of author Mark Twain and recognizes the works of outstanding international authors. From its inception in 1992 to its list of current winners, the award continues to commemorate the literature that has the ability to not only delight young minds, but also to create timeless stories.
Benefits of Receiving the Award
For an author, receiving the Mark Twain Award is an incredible honor. Although the monetary prize provides immediate financial compensation, the prestige of receiving the award is what often serves as the greatest benefit. It is an affirmation of one’s hard work and an acknowledgment from the literary world that the book has been accepted as a classic.
Authors who receive the award also receive wide recognition for their work, as their books are featured in the official catalog of the American Library Association and on the International Board on Books for Young People’s website. These acknowledgments increase visibility and ensure that the author and their books will reach a new audience.
The award also carries a certain weight. Once an author’s work is recognized with the Mark Twain Award, it can open up the possibility of the book being adapted into a film or a television series. Many of the Mark Twain Award winners have seen their books adapted, providing the authors with an additional source of creative expression.
Not only does the award provide recognition and increased visibility, but it is also an opportunity for authors to join in the legacy of Mark Twain. With each year’s selection of books, the award commemorates the power and impact of literature by celebrating the works of international authors from all genres.
International Influence
The Mark Twain Award has not only impacted the world of American authors, but has also had a positive effect on the international community. Since its introduction, the award has recognized the works of authors from many countries, including India, Japan, The Netherlands and the United States. These works have been honored for their potential to engage young readers and become timeless classics.
This award has inspired not only authors but also governments, organizations and publishers to invest in creating and promoting works in the nations where they are published. Many countries have invested in their own literary awards and have partnered with organizations to promote international literature.
The Mark Twain Award has been a beacon of hope for authors around the world, demonstrating that excellence and creativity can be recognized and celebrated on an international stage. It has also given authors access to resources and provides an opportunity for their works to be read and enjoyed by readers across the globe.
Conclusion
The Mark Twain Award is a remarkable achievement for authors and a powerful example of the potential for the works of authors from around the world to be recognized and celebrated. Every year, the award encourages authors to create works of excellence that honor the legacy of one of America’s beloved authors. The award has had a lasting impact on the international literary community and has demonstrated that stories have the power to inspire, educate and entertain readers of all ages.
