William Allen White Book Award Celebration Focuses on Books, Children
Emporia, KS (05/12/2025) — Students and educators from across Kansas will celebrate children's literature during the 73rd annual William Allen White Children's Book Awards on Saturday, Oct. 4, at Emporia State University. The events are free and open to the public.
Authors Katherine Applegate and Gordon Korman will be guests of honor for the book awards during a day that culminates in receiving their awards. Applegate wrote "Odder," selected by Kansas schoolchildren in Grades 3 through 5. Korman wrote "The Fort," selected by voters in Grades 6 through 8.
All events in 2025 will be staged in the William Allen White Library on the southwest corner of campus with the awards ceremony in Albert Taylor Hall inside Plumb Hall immediately to the east.
The free events kick off with check-in beginning at 8:30 a.m. on the second floor of White Library. From 8:30 to 10:30 a.m., attendees may meet the authors and have their books autographed. They also can enjoy in arts and craft projects. Copies of both books will be available for purchase.
The awards ceremony begins at 11 a.m. in Albert Taylor Hall. Neither food nor drink is allowed inside the auditorium.
The William Allen White celebration will conclude by noon.
The William Allen White Children's Book Award is the oldest statewide children's book award in the United States. It was established in 1952 by the late Ruth Garver Gagliardo, a children's literature specialist at Emporia State University. To honor the memory of one of Kansas' most distinguished citizens, the award was titled The William Allen White Children's Book Award. William Allen White was an American author, politician, leader of the Progressive movement and the newspaper editor of The Emporia Gazette.
Supported in part by the Trusler Foundation and the Emporia State University Libraries & Archives, The White Awards Program was established to encourage the children of Kansas to read and enjoy good books.
For more information: wawchildrensbookaward.com.
Media Attachments
Katherine Applegate wrote "Odder," which was named a 2025 William Allen White Children's Book by students in Grades 3 through 5.
Gordon Korman wrote "The Fort," which was named a 2025 William Allen White Children's Book by students in Grades 6 through 8.
"Odder" by Katherine Applegate
"The Fort" by Gordon Korman
Emporia State University
Gwendolynne Larson, ESU director of media relations, (620) 341-5528, glarson1@emporia.eduShare this Story
Recent News
- Emporia State University Granted $150,000 from Patterson Family Foundation to Equip State-of-the-Art Nursing and Student Wellness Center
- Kansas Board of Regents Names Dr. Matt Baker as 19th ESU President
- Emporia State University President Ken Hush, Giving It All Back
- ESU Awards Prestigious Scholarships to High School Seniors
- Emporia State Commencement Ceremonies Set for Dec. 12 and 13
- ESU Faculty Develops One-Of-A-Kind Science Lab Manual for Visually Impaired Students
- 'All You Can See Buffet' features student work at ESU art galleries
- Emporia State's King Lake To Be Restocked with Rainbow Trout
- Students benefit from new articulation agreement between ESU, Kansas Association of Community Colleges
- Relief for Students: Emporia State University Freezes Room & Board Rates for 2026-27