

Here are the finalists in eight categories for the 2019 Washington State Book Awards (WSBA) for outstanding books published by Washington authors in 2018. Congratulations to all authors and illustrators, and be sure to get these books on your reading list: BOOKS FOR ADULTS FICTION The Best Bad Things by Katrina Carrasco, of Seattle (MCD/Farrar, Straus and Giroux) The…

We are delighted to share that the Washington Center for the Book has selected Seattle illustrator Suzanne Kaufman’s picture book All Are Welcome to represent Washington state at the 2019 National Book Festival sponsored by the Library of Congress. The book wil be featured at the Washington state booth and in Festival materials. All Are Welcome lets young children know that…

Looking for a way to connect your adult patrons to the fun of summer reading challenges? Here’s a book bingo card that you can download and adapt for your library. We’ve kept the back blank so you can add information about your library, special events, programs, and reading suggestions. We’ve seen some libraries in Washington do a drawing for prizes…

From 1,327 letters submitted, three Washington students have been selected as state winners in the 2019 Letters About Literature contest and are advancing to the national contest sponsored by the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress. Congratulations to our winners — Naomi, Paige, and Colton! Naomi Ries, a fourth-grade student at the French American School of Puget…

Guest blogger: Frank Brasile of The Seattle Public Library Are you new to the Northwest, or a lifelong resident looking for some historical perspective? 2019 is shaping up to be an exciting year for publishing about our region, so let the reading begin! The University of Washington Press is releasing a number of regionally relevant titles. Explore local fashion with…

Washington authors had a big presence at the 2019 American Library Association Midwinter Meeting in Seattle last month, with six of our state’s authors taking home prestigious awards in ALA’s Youth Media Awards. Corey Tabor: Winner of the (Theodor Seuss) Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book for Fox the Tiger, which he wrote and illustrated. Dori Hillestad…

The year is off to a great start for Washington authors! Here are some picture books, middle grade, and young adult books out this month: PICTURE BOOKS Cheerful Chick, written by Martha Brockenbrough Right from the moment Chick is born, she wants to lead the other animals in cheer! Unfortunately, the rest of the barnyard just isn’t quiiiite as enthusiastic. Lucky…

If you’re a mystery lover, the annual announcement of the finalists for the Edgar Awards is always a great way to add excellent mysteries to your to-be-read pile. The Edgars, named for Edgar Allan Poe and awarded by the Mystery Writers of America, announced the 2019 finalists (for books published in 2018) on January 22 for the best in mystery…
Just a quick update: The deadline for submitting books for the 2019 Washington State Book Award (for books published in 2018) was December 1, 2019. We thank you for completing the online submission form and for sending copies of your book to our awards office at The Seattle Public Library. There is no need to email to ask if your…