Le Guin to deliver 2004 Arbuthnot Honor Lecture

Contact: Paige Wasson


312-280-4393


pwasson@ala.org

For Immediate Release


January 27, 2003

Le Guin to deliver 2004 Arbuthnot Honor Lecture

Ursula K. Le Guin, distinguished writer of science fiction and fantasy for young people and adults, will deliver the 2004 May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture.

Each year, an individual of distinction in the field of children's literature is chosen to write and deliver a lecture that will make a significant contribution to the world of children's literature. The award is administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The announcement was made January 27 during the ALA Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, January 24-29. Le Guin, who was born in 1929 in Berkeley, Calif., and currently lives in Portland, Ore. has written more than 50 books, including poetry, criticism, picture books, novels and short stories.

She has received numerous awards and honors during her long career. Titles in her "Books of Earthsea" series, which include "A Wizard of Earthsea," "The Tombs of Atuan" and "The Farthest Shore," have received the Newbery Honor Award, the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, the National Book Award for Children's Books and the Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. This year, Le Guin was designated a Grand Master by the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers of America. She is the recipient of the 2003 PEN/Malamud Award for excellence in short fiction and has received lifetime achievement awards from the Pacific Northwest Booksellers Association and the Los Angeles Times.

"Beginning with the 'Books of Earthsea,' Ursula Le Guin's fantasy novels have broken new ground while exploring themes of enduring importance to young people," said Chair Penny Markey. "They continue to assist young people as they explore issues of identity, power, alienation and values."

Members of the Arbuthnot Committee include Chair Penny Markey, Los Angeles Public Library; Ellen G. Fader, Multnomah County Library, Portland, Ore.; Marilyn P. Hollinshead, Charlestown, Mass.; Caroline S. Parr, Rappahannock Regional Library, Fredericksburg, Va.; and John E. Peters, Central Children's Room, New York Public Library.

More information on the Arbuthnot Honor Lecture can be found
online.

Applications to host the 2004 lecture are available from ALSC,
alsc@ala.org.