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Gene Luen Yang, National Ambassador for Young People's Literature

On January 4, 2016, Gene Luen Yang was appointed the fifth National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Learn more about Yang and his activities as National Ambassador through this guide.

Introduction

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2016-17 National Ambassador for Young People's Literature Gene Luen Yang with acting Librarian of Congress David S. Mao and founding director of the Center for the Book John Y. Cole. Photo credit: Shawn Miller, Library of Congress.

On January 4, 2016, the Library of Congress, the Children’s Book Council, and Every Child a Reader announced the appointment of Gene Luen Yang as the fifth National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature for 2016-2017. Founding director of the Center for the Book (CFB) at the Library of Congress, John Y. Cole, offered the following remarks on Yang's appointment:

We are thrilled that Gene Luen Yang has agreed to be the new National Ambassador for Young People's Literature. Gene's message of inclusion and acceptance of all people is especially relevant today.

An inauguration ceremony, presided by acting Librarian of Congress David S. Mao and attended by 2014-15 National Ambassador Kate DiCamillo and 2008-09 National Ambassador Jon Scieszka, took place on Thursday, January 7, 2016, at 11 a.m. in Room LJ-119 of the Library of Congress's Thomas Jefferson Building. [View recording of inaugural ceremony.]

For his two-year term as National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature, Gene Luen Yang traveled across American to promote his platform, "READING WITHOUT WALLS," showing kids and teens that reading is a vital part of their lives and speaking to parents, teachers, librarians—everyone invested in young people's literacy—about how better to connect with kids and teens and help them love reading.

About the Position

The National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature raises national awareness of the importance of young people’s literature as it relates to lifelong literacy, education and the development and betterment of the lives of young people.

The national ambassador is selected for his or her contributions to young people’s literature, the ability to relate to kids and teens and dedication to fostering children’s literacy in all forms. The selection, made by the Librarian of Congress, is based on recommendations from an independent committee comprising educators, librarians, booksellers and children’s literature experts.

Contact Information for Gene Luen Yang

If you would like to contact Gene Luen Yang please direct your inquiries as suggested below:

  • Reference/Programmatic Questions: Contact the Library's Ask a Librarian service (reference questions) or Anya Creightney, Library of Congress, [email protected] (programmatic questions).
  • Media/Press Inquiries: Contact Morgan Cane, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, [email protected].
  • Permissions Requests: Contact the publisher directly regarding work written by Yang.
  • Reading and Event Requests: For all event requests, contact Chloe Volkwein, Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, [email protected] and First Second Books, [email protected].