Deedy named spokesperson for School Library Media Month

Contact: Melissa B. Jones


AASL Communications Specialist


(312) 280-4381



mjones@ala.org

For Immediate Release,


February 26, 2008

Deedy named spokesperson for School Library Media Month

CHICAGO - Carmen Agra Deedy, award-winning author of "Martina the Beautiful Cockroach: A Cuban Folktale," has been named a national spokesperson for the 2008 School Library Media Month, which will be celebrated in April. School Library Media Month is sponsored by the American Association of School Librarians (AASL), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and celebrated by school library media centers around the country.




"I love librarians," Deedy said, "I visit hundreds of schools every year, and I can see the difference in those schools that are wise to the value of library media specialists. I look forward to working with AASL to spread the good word about school libraries."




Deedy has been writing and telling stories for almost 20 years. One of her most beloved books, "The Library Dragon," tells the story of an overprotective school librarian with a fiery technique. Her latest book, "Martina the Beautiful Cockroach," was named a 2008 Pura Belpré Honor book and has been recognized as a notable book by the National Council for the Social Studies and the Children's Book Council. The book was simultaneously released in English and Spanish versions. The
Atlanta Journal-Constitution has called Deedy "an introspective storyteller with a keen insight into the workings of a child's mind."




Deedy's other books have won the Bologna Ragazzi Award for Children's Non-Fiction and The Christopher Award and have been honored by the Jane Addams Peace Prize, the International Reading Association, the American Booksellers Association and the Children's Book Council. Her previous books include: "The Yellow Star: The Legend of King Christian X of Denmark," "Agatha's Feather Bed: Not Just Another Wild Goose Story" and "The Last Dance." Deedy continues to share her stories with children and adults at festivals, schools, conferences, theaters and museums around the world.




"We are so pleased to be working with Carmen and Peachtree Publishers this year," said AASL President Sara Kelly Johns. "Anyone who has read her books knows she has a great love of reading and libraries, and we are thrilled to have her energy and her voice join ours in celebrating the contributions of school libraries around the country."




School Library Media Month, begun in 1985, is celebrated in conjunction with National Library Week (April 13-19). This year's theme for both events is "Join the Circle of Knowledge @ your library." For more information, please visit
http://www.ala.org/ala/aasl/aaslissues/aasladvocacy/schoollibrary.cfm.