ALAN Online

Assembly on Literature for Adolescents of NCTE 2006 Annual Report

The purposes of this assembly are to promote communication and cooperation among all individuals who have a special interest in adolescent literature; to present programs and conferences on this subject; to promote and increase the number of articles and publications devoted to it; and to integrate the efforts of all those with an interest in this literature. Members receive three issues annually of The ALAN Review, a journal emphasizing new books, research, and methods of teaching adolescent literature.

The annual ALAN Breakfast was held on Saturday morning, November 19, 2005 during the NCTE Conference in Pittsburgh. The keynote speaker was the popular author of Life of Pi, Yann Martel. The following Assembly business was also conducted during the Breakfast: The 2005 ALAN Award for distinguished contribution to the field of young adult literature was presented to Jerry Spinelli; the 2005 Ted Hipple Service Award was presented to Bill Subick; an ALAN Foundation grant for research in the field was awarded to Marge Erickson Freeburn of Westminster, CO; and two Don Gallo Grants to help new teachers attend the ALAN Workshop were given to Sarah Duncan of Oxford, MS and Amy Alexandra Wilson of Riverton, UT.

On Sunday evening of the Conference members and guests enjoyed the annual ALAN Reception, which was sponsored by 20 participating publishers and coordinated by Michelle Fadlalla of Simon & Schuster and Adrienne Waintraub of Random House.

The annual ALAN Workshop took place on Monday and Tuesday, November 21 and 22, immediately following the NCTE Convention. ALAN President Patty Campbell chaired the Workshop. The theme was “Bearers of Light: The Caring Community of Young Adult Literature.” Keynote speaker was Don Gallo. Over 40 authors made presentations to the 400 attendees, and leading teachers and librarians led a selection of 12 small group breakout sessions on trends in the field.

In other action during the year, we received a request for someone to represent ALAN for the Green Earth Book Award, sponsored by the Newton Marasco Foundation and Salisbury University to honor books "that inspire a child to grow a deeper appreciation, respect and responsibility for his or her natural environment." ALAN Board Member David Gill was selected at the 2005 Board meeting to serve on the award committee. The winner for the YA category was Flush by Carl Hiaasen.

Under the co-editorship of James Blasingame and Lori Atkins Goodson, three issues of The ALAN Review were published.

Declining membership in ALAN was a concern three years ago. From 2003 to 2004, membership decreased from 1,846 to 1,558. At that point, Joan Kaywell was appointed Membership Secretary. From 2004 to 2005, membership increased from 1,558 to 1,780 due to her rejuvenated committee of ALAN State Representatives. Membership is nearing the 2000 mark now, and is anticipated to be well over that mark by the end of 2006.

From 2004 to 2005, there were 63 ALAN State Representatives. Thirteen states had no representatives: Arkansas, Hawaii, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, Vermont, and Wyoming. By 2006, Joan Kaywell was able to increase the roster of ALAN State Representative to 121. Only three states now have no representatives: New Mexico, North Dakota, and Vermont. To support membership and encourage others to join, stylish ALAN lapel pins are available at $5.00 each.

The 2006 ALAN Award Committee chose Virginia Monseau and Marc Aronson for the ALAN Award. Monseau is the author of Reading Their World: The Young Adult Novel in the Classroom, a former editor of English Journal, and Professor Emeritus at Youngstown State University. Aronson is an author, editor, and publisher whose historical non-fiction has won many awards, including the Boston Globe Horn Book Award. Committee members included David Gill, chair, Ed Sullivan, Teri Lesesne, Margaret Ford, and Bonnie Kunzel.

The 2006 Ted Hipple Award Committee selected Allen Pace Nilsen, English Education Department Chair at Arizona State University and a longtime proponent of ALAN. ALAN President-Elect, Kathryn Kelly, served as chair, with committee members Diane Tuccillo, Patty Campbell, and Gary Salvner.

The 2006 Election Committee consisted of Jim Blasingame, Catherine Balkin, Sissi Carroll, Joan Kaywell, and CJ Bott as chair. Several excellent names were considered. The following slate has been presented on the ballot; President: David Gill and Ed Sullivan; Board seats: Holly Atkins, Jean Boreen, Marge Freeburn, Bonnie Kunzel, Richie Partington, and Susan Steffel.

The officers and directors of ALAN for 2005-2006 are: Diane Tuccillo, President: Patty Campbell, Past-President; Kathryn Kelly, President-Elect; Gary Salvner, Executive Secretary, Joan Kaywell, Membership Secretary; David Gill, ALAN Webmaster; MaryAnn Wedde, Treasurer, and Directors Pamela Sissi Carroll, Christie Jo “CJ” Bott, Edward T. Sullivan, Mary Arnold, Catherine Balkin, David Gill, Margaret J. Ford, Angus Killick, and Wendy Glenn.  

Diane Tuccillo, Chair