CHICAGO - The American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), is pleased to announce award-winning author Wendy Mass as the guest speaker at the AASL Awards Luncheon. The luncheon will take place at 2 p.m. Monday, June 30, during the ALA 2008 Annual Conference in Anaheim, Calif., held June 26 to July 2.

            Mass is the author of “Mango-shaped Space,” the winner of the Schneider Family Book Award given by ALA. Her other books for young people include “Leap Day,” the Twice Upon a Time fairy tale series, “Jeremy Fink and the Meaning of Life” and “Heaven Looks a Lot Like the Mall.” Mass also wrote the storyline for an episode of the television show “Monk,” entitled "Mr. Monk Goes to the Theatre," which aired during the show's second season.

            The AASL Awards Luncheon is an opportunity for members to celebrate the accomplishments of their colleagues. Prestigious awards such as the National School Library Media Program of the Year are given at the luncheon. The fee to attend is $49. Immediately following the Awards Luncheon is the AASL President's Reception, providing the opportunity to meet and greet the AASL president, board members and other member leaders. For more information about this event and more AASL programs in Anaheim, visit http://www.ala.org/aasl/annual.

The American Association of School Librarians, www.aasl.org, a division of the American Library Association (ALA), promotes the improvement and extension of library media services in elementary and secondary schools as a means of strengthening the total education program. Its mission is to advocate excellence, facilitate change and develop leaders in the school library media field.