The Mock EJK program shows students that analyzing and discussing picture books can be fun at the same time as it incorporates the concepts of equity, justice and diversity into their everyday world view.
New Article on the Mock EJK! Read it in Children & Libraries, The Journal of ALSC
Reprinted with permission from Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children (Vol. 22, No. 2, Summer 2024), a division of the American Library Association.
Mark Your Calendar!
November 1: Launch Date including Book List
Give your students (grades K-12) a vote…and a chance to choose the 2024 picture book that best:
- Celebrates diversity
- Hugs their heart
- Shows change and growth are possible
- Highlights the importance of community and family
“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.” – John S. Librarian
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-coming soon) 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
Note: Our toolkits are based on the actual Ezra Jack Keats Award process.
Special thanks to those who made these toolkits possible:
- Dr. Ramona Caponegro, University of Alabama
- Caroline Ward, Youth Literature Consultant
- Chris Carter, Teacher, NYC Public Schools
From the Friends School of Baltimore:
- John Scott
- Andy Hanes
- Mary Kelly
- Frances Morrissey
- Diana White
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 Mock EJK Award- Congratulations!
