2027 Children's Literature Lecture

Kwame Alexander to deliver the 2027 Children's Literature Lecture

Author Kwame Alexander will deliver the 2027 Children’s Literature Lecture. Alexander is the New York Times bestselling author of more than 44 books including the Newbery Medal winner The Crossover and the Caldecott Medal winner The Undefeated (illustrated by Kadir Nelson). A strong supporter of libraries, he has been instrumental in building libraries and partnering with the Little Free Library organization. He regularly shares his passion for literacy, books and writing around the world at book festivals and global literacy symposiums. His mission in life is “to change the world, one word at a time.”

Applications to host the 2027 Children's Literature Lecture, featuring Alexander, are now closed. The deadline for application submissions was May 15, 2026.

Members of the 2026 Children’s Literature Lecture Award Committee are: Chair Sue McCleaf Nespeca, Meghan Lynne Bird; Dr. Africa S. Hands; Mary R. Voors; and Brian E. Wilson.