Give your students (grades K-12) a vote…and a chance to choose the 2023 picture book that best:
- Celebrates diversity
- Hugs their heart
- Shows change and growth are possible
- Highlights the importance of community and family
John S. Librarian says:
“Running a Mock EJK develops critical thinking and literary analysis skills in young learners with new and diverse children’s literature. It’s a win-win on many levels. Plus the exposure for me and my colleagues to new literature is critical to my own growth as an educator.”
We Provide
Toolkit
While this toolkit is based on a number of actual Mock EJK Award programs, please feel free to modify it to best serve your needs.
Toolkit (Printable pdf) Contains:
- Lesson Plans – mapping out every step of the way
- Sample timeline – fitting it into your schedule
- Slides of the Criteria – easy for kids to understand
Get Started Now!
Let us know if you plan to do a Mock EJK, and we’ll celebrate with you when you announce your winners.
Note: Our toolkits are based on the actual Ezra Jack Keats Award process.
Special thanks to those who made these toolkits possible:
From the Friends School of Baltimore:
- John Scott
- Andy Hanes
- Mary Kelly
- Frances Morrissey
- Diana White
And to:
- Caroline Ward, Youth Literature Consultant
- Chris Carter, Teacher, NYC Department of Education
And to our kit reviewers:
- Matthew Bower
- Anna Brannin
- Josie Bustos
- Wendy Clark
- Maria Estrella
- Catherine Mangan
- Christine Nassar
- Montana Rindahl
- Anjie Trusty
- Ally Watkins
- Roberta Woodruff
Celebrating the 2023 Mock EJK Award- Congratulations!
Top Student Picks
Participating Educators
Cheri Crow, Librarian, Delaware County Libraries system, Delaware
Lori Friedgen-Veitch, Librarian, Delaware County Libraries system, Delaware
Andy Hanes, Teacher, Friends of Baltimore, Maryland
Sally James, Librarian, South Hillsborough Elementary School, California
Poppy Louthan, Teacher/Librarian, Eton Reads, Washington
Susan May, Teacher/Librarian, Chesapeake Academy, Virginia
Frances Morrissey, Teacher/Librarian, Friends of Baltimore, Maryland
Christine Nassar, Librarian, The Dalton School, New York
Beckie Nieman, Teacher/Librarian, North Pike Upper Elementary School, Mississippi
Shelly Porter, Librarian, Elkins School District, Arkansas
John Scott, Librarian, Powhatan, Virginia
Debra Vance, Teacher/Librarian, Martin Luther King Jr Elementary, California
Diana White, Teacher, Friends of Baltimore, Maryland
Dawn Zimmerer, Librarian, Madison County Library System, Mississippi