Judy Blume to Receive the Medal from National Book Foundation

The National Book Foundation will bestow its 2004 Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters upon Judy Blume, one of the country's most beloved and widely read children's authors. She is the first author of young-adult literature and the fifth woman to receive the Medal in the sixteen-year history of the award. She will be honored at the 55th National Book Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner in New York City on Wednesday, November 17.

In making the announcement, Harold Augenbraum, executive director of the Foundation, said, "Judy Blume is the first recipient of the National Book Foundation Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters whose primary audience is young readers. Ms. Blume's active participation in the causes of the literary community and her struggles against censorship have also been exemplary."

The award is given to a person, who, in the opinion of the Board of Directors of the National Book Foundation, has enriched our literary heritage over a life of service, or corpus of work. The author of more than twenty books, Judy Blume has had a tremendous impact on young people, who turn to her books for help in navigating the travails of growing up and for characters with whom they can identify. From Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing , a comic look at sibling rivalry, to Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret , a coming-of-age classic for girls, Blume gives children and teens emotional truths void of sentimentality.

"I'm thrilled by this unexpected honor," said Ms. Blume. "We don't write hoping to win awards. We write because we have to -- because of a burning need to share our characters and stories. For those of us who write for young readers, the hope is always that something we've written will so touch a young person that she or he will become a lifelong reader."

Updated information regarding the National Book Foundation's 2004 Awards Ceremony and Benefit Dinner, as well as events in conjunction with National Book Month (October), can be found on the Foundation's website www.nationalbook.org .

Judy's website: http://www.judyblume.com