The Library of Congress and Every Child a Reader will celebrate Meg Medina’s two-year term as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature with a special closing event for local students in the Washington, D.C., area on Dec. 12.
“Meg Medina’s tenure as ambassador was extraordinary,” said Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. “Not only did Meg show us how talking about books develops our reading lives, but she also crisscrossed the country, holding dynamic events in schools and public libraries, built an 18-part video series, and personally connected students and their families to unique Library of Congress resources. Meg’s service to our nation’s children and teens, coupled with her deep belief in the Library’s mission to advance knowledge and creativity, put her in a new tier of what is possible as an ambassador.”
Medina, who was inaugurated as the eighth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature on Jan. 18, 2023, is the first Latina to hold the role. She will wrap up her tenure with a final celebration at 10:30 a.m. EST on Dec. 12 in the Coolidge Auditorium of the Library’s Thomas Jefferson Building. Tickets are free, but registration is required.
“What an honor it has been to meet and support children and their families over these past two years! I am deeply grateful for their willingness to share their honest feelings about books and reading. I also extend my heartfelt thanks to the educators and public librarians who invited me into their dynamic work serving their communities,” said Medina. “As I close my tenure, I leave behind accessible resources to champion reading and inspire connection and respect among our nation’s many communities. Young people, continue building and nourishing your reading lives – the benefits will be never ending.”
Medina began her tenure by launching the Cuéntame!: Let’s Talk Books platform. Inspired by the phrase Spanish-speaking friends and family use to catch up with one another, “Cuéntame!” encouraged connection with families, classrooms, and public libraries through conversations about books. Medina described book talking as a short, engaging pitch aimed at sparking interest in reading. Unlike a book report, book talking is a natural and fun way to share book recommendations.
Throughout her two-year nationwide tour, Medina hosted events at schools and public libraries, bringing on stage student “cuentistas” who shared their favorite books. In total, Medina visited 32 schools and libraries and engaged over 40 student “cuentistas” in 11 states – from Washington to New Hampshire, Kansas to California – reaching students across all five regions of the country. In collaboration with the Library and Medina’s publisher, Candlewick Press, more than 6,000 copies of Medina’s books – both in English and Spanish – were donated to students.
In October 2023, Medina also established her “Family Office Hours,” offering 20-minute in-person sessions where she worked with students and their families on personalized learning and reading goals. She introduced families to valuable Library resources, including the Young Reader’s Center and Programs Lab, a dedicated space for children with activities inspired by the Library’s collections.
This year, Medina launched “Let’s Talk Books!,”a short-form video series featuring beloved authors, illustrators and graphic novelists discussing their favorite books and writing journeys. The full series will continue to be available on the Library’s YouTube channel after Medina’s tenure ends.
Medina will also leave behind a lasting legacy with her contribution to “The Source: Creative Research Studio for Kids,” an experiential gallery opening in 2025-2026 that explores research and discovery for children ages 8 and up. The gallery will include primary sources related to Medina’s novel “Burn Baby Burn,” helping children explore historical research and storytelling.
Recently, Medina published a graphic novel adaptation of her iconic YA novel “Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass”; a picture book “No More Señora Mimí” (celebrating childcare providers) in both English and Spanish; contributed to “A Little Bit Super,” a middle-grade anthology; and co-wrote the nonfiction book “Pura Belpré” for the She Persisted series by Chelsea Clinton and Alexandra Boiger. She also received an Honorary Patron of Letters Degree from the Library of Virginia Foundation, alongside David Baldacci and Nikki Giovanni.
The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature is an initiative of the Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, with generous support from The Library of Congress Madison Council, The Capital Group Companies Charitable Foundation and Candlewick Press.
About Meg Medina
Meg Medina is a Cuban American author who writes for readers of all ages. Her middle-grade novel “Merci Suárez Changes Gears” received a Newbery Medal and was a New York Times Book Review Notable Children’s Book of the Year, among many other distinctions. Her picture book “Evelyn Del Rey Is Moving Away” received honors, including the 2021–2022 Charlotte Zolotow Award and was the 2020 Jumpstart Read for the Record selection, reaching 2.24 million readers. She received a 2016 Pura Belpré Author Award Honor for her picture book “Mango, Abuela and Me.” Her young adult novel “Burn Baby Burn” earned numerous distinctions, including being longlisted for the 2016 National Book Award and shortlisted for the Kirkus Prize. She is the 2014 recipient of the Pura Belpré Author Award and a 2013 Cybils Award winner for her young adult novel “Yaqui Delgado Wants to Kick Your Ass,” which was published in 2023 as a graphic novel illustrated by Mel Valentine Vargas. Medina also received the 2012 Ezra Jack Keats New writer Award for her picture book “Tía Isa Wants a Car” and an Honorary Patron of Letters Degree from the Library of Virginia for “significant contributions to the fields of history, library science, the literary arts or archival science.” When she is not writing, Meg Medina works on community projects that support girls, Latino youth, and literacy. She lives with her family in Richmond, Virginia.
About Every Child a Reader
Every Child a Reader is a 501(c)(3) award-winning literacy charity whose popular national programs include Children’s Book Week, the longest-running literacy initiative in the country, celebrating 105 years in 2024; Get Caught Reading, a classroom poster project: and the National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature program, in partnership with the Library of Congress.
About the Library of Congress
The Library of Congress is the world’s largest library, offering access to the creative record of the United States — and extensive materials from around the world — both on-site and online. It is the main research arm of the U.S. Congress and the home of the U.S. Copyright Office. Explore collections, reference services, and other programs and plan a visit at loc.gov; access the official site for U.S. federal legislative information at congress.gov; and register creative works of authorship at copyright.gov.
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Media Contact: Maria Peña, mpena@loc.gov
PR 24-097
11/20/24
ISSN 0731-3527
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