EJK Award is given annually to an outstanding new writer and new illustrator by the Ezra Jack Keats Foundation in partnership with the de Grummond Children’s Literature Collection at the University of Southern Mississippi (USM).
Meet the 2023 EJK Award Committee – Award announced March 14


2022 Winners and Honors
This year’s EJK Award winning and honor books provide inclusive stories about children with many shades of skin, children who happen to have Down Syndrome, children dealing with loss, children who live in the city or country, in the U.S. and abroad, and children having trouble sleeping through the night. EJK Award books entertain while opening children’s minds and hearts.
EJK Award Book Themed Discussion Guides
Designed to be used with a selection of EJK Award and Honor books, these Discussion Guides highlight “themes” or “perspectives” in specific books that can then be used to develop active and critical reading skills for children of all ages.
Run a Mock EJK Award
The Mock EJK Award Toolkits provide guidance for an exciting group activity in which you and your students discuss, evaluate and together vote for the Mock EJK Award winners.