Mar 17, 2023

The Walter Awards 23: Love and Positivity Win

The Walter Awards 23 are a celebration of diverse books and their ability to teach empathy, make us feel seen, and even save lives. Speakers Jackie Woodson and Ello Ellen Oh share their messages of love and positivity in this inspiring event.

ACTIVISM COMMUNITY EMPATHY

WeNeedDiverseBooks

We Need Diverse Books is a nonprofit organization that strives to create a world where everyone can find themselves in the pages of a book. https://t.co/0xqrA5oj6q

Member of Kid Literature

The #WalterAwards23 are starting soon! Who's watching the livestream? 👀 https://t.co/Vx58tZWnUu pic.twitter.com/OAdeEemnfC
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
"A diverse book can teach empathy. It can make us feel seen. And, yes, it can even save lives." — @JackieWoodson, #WalterAwards23
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
"The book banners, their message is [about] fear and prejudice. We're about love and positivity. And that's why we're going to win." — @ElloEllenOh, #WalterAwards23
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
"I've also been there, where I needed my life saved. People who've told me that my book saved their life—I feel like that's saved MY life. We're doing this cycle, where we save each other." — @SonoraReyes, #WalterAwards23
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
"[Hope through difficult times] is the throughline through all of my work... it doesn't matter whether I'm writing fantasy or contemporary." — Sabaa Tahir, #WalterAwards23
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
"Writing is my way of saying 'I am here. We deserve to be here.'" — Ibi Zoboi, #WalterAwards23
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
"This war on books is not about young people... it's about controlling what young people think. The fear book banners have is about the power of what you [young people think], because the ideas you have can, and likely will, change the world." — @AminaLuqman, #WalterAwards23
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
"The future leaders of tomorrow's hate groups are being taught as babes in arms. Maybe we should be intentional about what we teach our babies." — @AngelaJoyBlog, #WalterAwards23
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
"I wrote myself into existence. I write, therefore I am." — @AndreaLRogers, #WalterAwards23
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
Thanks so much to everyone who helped us celebrate the winners and honorees at the #WalterAwards23! WNDB is additionally proud to have sent copies of this year's Walter Award titles to all of the students and educators who attended the ceremony today. ✨📚 pic.twitter.com/ogu8gBLcht
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023
If you missed the #WalterAwards23, don't fret: catch the replay on our YouTube channel! https://t.co/ApIG728BCg
— WeNeedDiverseBooks (@diversebooks) March 17, 2023