Chicago Tribune Announces Young Adult Literary Award

CHICAGO, April 14, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The Chicago Tribune announced today that James Patterson is the winner of its 2014 Young Adult Literary Award, in recognition of his efforts to encourage, inspire and motivate children to read. The annual award acknowledges the power of literacy in the lives of young adults specifically.

"The Tribune carries on a great literary tradition, and we believe that the written word can transform lives," said Gerould Kern, senior vice president and editor of the Chicago Tribune. "In celebration of that cause, we recognize James Patterson for his extraordinary efforts to reach a wide range of young readers, many of whom have not had the opportunity to savor a book. We applaud James Patterson for his determination to connect with readers and convince them of the rewards of books."

Patterson is the internationally bestselling author of several suspense/thriller series, including Maximum Ride, Witch & Wizard, Daniel X, and Alex Cross. Patterson's books have sold over 300 million copies worldwide. But it is Patterson's work with children that the Tribune is honoring with its award. Through his highly praised "Middle School" series and other initiatives, Patterson continues to pass on his love for books and reading, while supporting those who feel the same. He has encouraged reading through the James Patterson Pageturner Awards program, website ReadKiddoRead.com, the College Book Bucks scholarship program and regular donations of hundreds of thousands of books to schools.

Patterson will accept the award and appear in a program at the Chicago Tribune's 2014 Printers Row Lit Fest, which will take place June 7 and 8 in the historic Printers Row neighborhood. The Lit Fest is part of the Chicago Tribune's Printers Row literary program, a year-round initiative that includes the weekly Printers Row Journal and fiction supplement, regular Printers Row author events, the Printers Row Lit Fest and annual literary awards. The literary awards include the Nelson Algren Short Story Award, Young Adult Literary Award, Heartland Awards for fiction and non-fiction and Chicago Tribune Literary Award.

Past winners of the Young Adult Literary Award have included Blue Balliett, Judy Blume, S. E. Hilton, Lois Lowry and Walter Dean Myers.

This announcement comes as the Chicago Tribune gears up for the 30^th anniversary celebration of Printers Row Lit Fest, the largest free outdoor literary event in the Midwest. The Lit Fest celebrates the written word through author talks, special programing and unique exhibits.

A list of confirmed participants who will be on-site at this year's fest will be released on Thursday, April 17^th. Visit www.printersrowlitfest.org for more information.

About Chicago Tribune Media Group

Chicago Tribune Media Group is a media and business services company that publishes the Pulitzer Prize-winning Chicago Tribune. CTMG also produces related print and interactive media serving Chicagoland like RedEye, Hoy, Chicago magazine, TribLocal, The Mash, chicagotribune.com, chicagonow.com and metromix.com. Reaching 4.8 million adults each week in the greater Chicago area, CTMG is the leading news and information destination in Chicagoland.  

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SOURCE Chicago Tribune