Please excuse cross-postings. USBBY NEWS BLAST · Do you have a program that expands understanding of cultures/countries outside the US? · Consider applying for the Bridge to Understanding Award What is the Bridge to Understanding Award? This prestigious award was established in memory of Arlene Pillar, an educator who served USBBY as newsletter editor from 1984 until 1990. The award recognizes a program that promotes reading as a way to expand understanding of one or more cultures or countries outside of the United States. Preference is given to programs that focus on contemporary life and culture. Organizations eligible for this award include schools, libraries, scout troops, clubs and bookstores. The program may be a one-time event or an ongoing series that serves children ranging in age from kindergarten through tenth grade. This award carries a monetary prize of $1,000 and a certificate. How to apply for the Bridge to Understanding Award Applications and criteria for the 2017 Bridge to Understanding Award are available at www.usbby.org<http://www.usbby.org> or from the USBBY Secretariat at Secretariat@usbby.org<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','Secretariat@usbby.org');>. Phone: (224) 233-2030. To be considered the program must occur during the year 2017. Deadline for submissions is January 31, 2018. USBBY, the United States National Section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), is dedicated to promoting high quality literature for young people throughout the world. Nancy L. Hadaway, Ph.D. Professor Emerita, University of Texas at Arlington hadaway@uta.edu<javascript:_e(%7B%7D,'cvml','hadaway@uta.edu');> Co-author, Matching Books and Readers: Helping English Learners in Grades K-6, Guilford Press, 2010 Co-editor, Breaking Boundaries with Global Literature: Celebrating Diversity in K-12 Classrooms, International Reading Association, 2007 Co-editor, Supporting the Literacy Development of English Learners: Increasing Success in All Classrooms, International Reading Association, 2005 Co-author, What Teachers Should Know about English Language Learners, Allyn & Bacon Longman, 2004 Co-author, Literature-Based Instruction with English Language Learners, K-12, Allyn & Bacon Longman, 2001