Friday, January 15, 2021

2021 NCTE Poetry Award Winner Janet Wong

Congratulations to my good friend and publishing partner, Janet S. Wong, who is the 2021 recipient of the National Council of Teachers of English Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children, for her whole body of work for young readers. I think she is the perfect choice, but I am rather biased since I’ve known Janet for decades and have collaborated closely with her in publishing teaching anthologies of poetry since 2012 when we established Pomelo Books. You’ll find biographical info about Janet in many places: her parents were Chinese and Korean, she grew up in California, went to law school at Yale, and worked as a high-powered lawyer at Universal Studios. But then she left law and began writing for young readers creating beautiful collections of poetry, engaging picture books, and fascinating nonfiction. I first met Janet as a fan at a conference asking for an autograph on her first book. Flash forward and now she’s been on Oprah, a guest at the White House, and has served on numerous committees in several professional organizations. Plus, she’s a frequent speaker in schools, libraries, and at conferences. But in addition to all her accomplishments, she’s also a good friend to many people (including me!), a real advocate for literacy, and an innovator with an entrepreneurial spirit. She is so worthy of this important award for all her work, but also for how she lifts up other poets and writers too. She is a force-- pushing poetry out-out-out to as many readers as she can reach! 

Janet will be presented the award at the November convention of the National Council of Teachers of English-- hopefully in-person! 



The NCTE Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children

The National Council of Teachers of English established its Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 1977 to honor a living American poet for his or her lifetime achievement in works for children aged three to thirteen years. The award was given annually until 1982, at which time it was decided that the award would be given every three years. In 2008 the Poetry Committee updated the criteria and changed the time frame to every other year. The National Council of Teachers of English strives to recognize and foster excellence in children’s poetry by encouraging its publication and by exploring ways to acquaint teachers and children with poetry through such means as publications, programs, and displays. As one means of accomplishing this goal, NCTE established its Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children to honor a poet for his or her aggregate work. More than twenty leading poets have since been recognized. Each met the following criteria:


NCTE Poetry Award Criteria

Literary Merit (art and craft of aggregate work–as poet or anthologist)

Creating books of poetry that demonstrate imagination, authenticity of voice, evidence of a strong persona, and universality/timelessness are essential. In short, we are looking for a poet who creates poetry books that contain clean, spare lines; use language and form in fresh ways; surprise the reader by using syntax artistically; excite the reader’s imagination with keen perceptions and sharp images; touch the reader’s emotions: a maker of word events.


Poet’s or Anthologist’s Contributions

Aggregate work, evident potential for growth and evolution in terms of craft, and excellence are considered.


Evolution of the Poet’s or Anthologist’s Work

Technical and artistic development as evidenced in the poetry, evidence of risk, change, and artistic stamina, and evidence of different styles and modes of expression are considered.


Appeal to Children

Although the appeal to children of a poet’s or anthologist’s work is an important consideration, the art and craft must be the primary criteria for evaluation. Evidence of students’ excitement for the poetry and evidence of childlike quality should be present, yet the work’s potential for stirring fresh insights and feelings should be apparent.


Recipients of the NCTE Poetry Award

2021 Janet S.Wong

2019 Paul B. Janeczko

2017 Marilyn Nelson

2015 Marilyn Singer

2013 Joyce Sidman

2011 J. Patrick Lewis

2009 Lee Bennett Hopkins

2006 Nikki Grimes

2003 Mary Ann Hoberman

2000 X. J. Kennedy

1997 Eloise Greenfield

1994 Barbara Esbensen

1991 Valerie Worth

1988 Arnold Adoff

1985 Lilian Moore

1982 John Ciardi

1981 Eve Merriam

1980 Myra Cohn Livingston

1979 Karla Kuskin

1978 Aileen Fisher

1977 David McCord



Look for Another Jar of Tiny Stars: Poems by NCTE Award-winning Poets, edited by Bernice Cullinan and Deborah Wooten, an anthology of poems by NCTE Poetry Award recipients (up to the year of the book’s publication). It is an excellent resource, based on children’s votes for their favorite poems by each award winner. It is a very child-friendly collection of some of the best poetry by some of the best poets who have ever written poetry for children. Plus, it includes biographical information about, sketches of, and quotations from the award-winning poets.


And don’t miss the “NCTE Poets Spotlight Series” by author RenĂ©e LaTulippe which features in-depth look at each award-winning poet and their work. For example:


Now head on over to Reflections on the Teche where the lovely Margaret Simon is hosting Poetry Friday. See you there! 


14 comments:

Linda Mitchell said...

What a rich post and resource. Thank you! Pomelo books has only been in existence since 2012? Wow. It seems like I've been depending on these books for longer. Many congratulations to Janet. I wish her and you many words, many laughs and future projects together!

Mary Lee said...

HOORAY for our Janet!! (I can say "our," can't I?!?!) She is SO deserving of this award!

Linda B said...

Hooray for Janet topping that fabulous list, well deserved! I've loved many of her books, and those with you, too, Sylvia. It was a special meet when you asked for that autograph! Thanks for this celebration of Janet!

Janet Wong said...

A great big THANK YOU to Sylvia for this lovely post, for your decades of boosting my work, and for working together on our Pomelo adventures. ADVENTURES, truly — and so well-documented thanks to your passion for photo ops! Whether it's running full-speed toward Tony the Tiger with PET CRAZY or searching the halls of Philadelphia for Benjamin Franklin, your penchant for whimsy has made all these projects FUN!!!

Janet Wong said...

To Our Mary Lee: National Compliment Day is coming up (Jan 24), the perfect opportunity to remind everyone about your poem "Compliment Chain" in THE POETRY FRIDAY ANTHOLOGY FOR CELEBRATIONS (https://michellehbarnes.blogspot.com/2015/11/dmc-compliment-chain-by-mary-lee-hahn.html)! I want to compliment you on the way you somehow find the time to be an insightful poet, a dedicated blogger, a literacy leader, AND an inspiring teacher. I'm grateful that working on the Poetry Friday books with Sylvia and also volunteering with the Children's Literature Assembly gave us the opportunity to know each other so well!

Kay said...

Congratulations, Janet! What a fabulous--and well-deserved--honor!

Linda said...

Thank you, Sylvia for this beautiful post. I can't think of anyone who deserves this award more. Janet has been a huge inspiration to me and so many others. She has done so much for poets and poetry! Not only is she a gifted poet, she is an amazing human being.

P. S. I remember buying my first copy of GOOD LUCK GOLD, and I still have it with it's original cover! : )

Carol Varsalona said...

Sylvia, this is a glowing post on the many accomplishments Janet has made to the field of poetry and kidlit. I did not know that she was a lawyer but I can sense she has a keen and sharp awareness of how to present a case for the spread of poetry across the world. It has been my pleasure to know both of you. I am honored to be the recipient of both Janet and your joy for poetry. May you both shine in the world of kidlit. Off to tweet our your post. (PS: I am sorry that I did not have time to write a post last week when you were hosting PF. Our new home in Virginia was awaiting a delivery of new bedroom furniture and it was my 2nd grandbaby's 1st birthday-celebrated outside with a Winter Walk. It was the first time in a whole year that I missed writing and being with friends.)

Ruth said...

Yay! :-)

laurasalas said...

I'm so happy for Janet! You've highlighted so many wonderful things about her. She's not just an amazing poet but is also an amazing human. So great to honor her!

Rose Cappelli said...

Thanks for posting this, Sylvia, and congratulations to Janet! This award is well deserved. I'm so proud to know you both and to now be a part of the Pomelo family.

Margaret Simon said...

Janet is a gem and such a gift to all of us who know her (and you!).

Tabatha said...

Wonderful!

jan godown annino said...

I love this resourceful post not only because it celebrates Janet Wong, whose verse I have enjoyed for many years, but also because she replied with two such wonderful answers, including her spot-on words about Mary Lee Hahn.
Just so much poetry love here, all around.

Jan/Bookseedstudio