Napoli to serve on U.S. Board on Books Outstanding International Books Committee

HARRISBURG, Pa. — Mary Napoli, professor-in-charge of literacy education in Penn State Harrisburg’s School of Behavioral Sciences and Education, has been appointed to serve as a member of the United States Board on Books for Young People's (USBBY) Outstanding International Books Committee.

Napoli received her doctorate in curriculum and instruction with an emphasis in language and literacy education, with a minor in women's studies, from Penn State. She has published numerous books, articles, book chapters and professional resource materials about children's literature. Napoli, one of four incoming co-editors (2020-2022) of “The Journal of Children’s Literature,” also brings a wealth of research expertise, practical experience and extensive knowledge of literacy resources to her undergraduate and graduate instruction.

The USBBY serves as the U.S. national section of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY), which was founded to promote international understanding and good will through books for children and adolescents. The Outstanding International Books committee (OIB), created in 2006, is charged with selecting international books that are deemed the most outstanding of those published during the calendar year. For this honor list, the term “international book” is used to describe a book published in the United States that originated or was first published in a country other than the U.S.

Typically, 39 to 42 books are added to the award list, separated into four age groupings (K through 2, 3 through 5, 6 through 8, and 9+). The list of outstanding international books is published each year in the February issue of School Library Journal.

For a list of the 2019 Outstanding International Books and to learn more about the award, visit usbby.org/outstanding-international-books-list.html.