Sponsors are an integral part of the EBMA community and Annual Meeting.  Gold Sponsors are able to sit with either Publishers or Wholesalers during the one-on-one meetings.  

Please see all opportunities here and let us know how you would like to be involved.

January 26, 2027

For visionary storytelling and emerging brilliance.

For exceptional talent and fresh perspective.

For empowering new stories in children’s publishing.

For championing identity and wonder in every story told.

For inspiring young readers through fearless storytelling and bold, diverse narratives.

For providing stories of hope that encourage young readers to dream beyond boundaries.

For helping young people see themselves in every story, and for writing stories that honor heritage and ignite imaginations.

Donna Barba Higuera embodies every quality we honor with the Ludington Award. Her storytelling is bold, fearless, and deeply resonant—earning praise from award committees, reviewers, the EBMA, and, most importantly, young readers.

In honoring Donna, we celebrate a creator who brings a fresh voice to the world. Her narratives ensure that readers will be engaged, empowered, and ready to explore new worlds for a long time to come.

The Educational Book and Media Association is proud to present the 46^th annual Ludington Award to Donna Barba Higuera, honoring her extraordinary contributions to children’s literature and her unwavering commitment to storytelling that matters.

Awarded January 26, 2026 in San Diego, California

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact: Janelle Mihoc

admin@edupaperback.org

EBMA NAMES JASON REYNOLDS WINNER OF THE 2024 JEREMIAH LUDINGTON MEMORIAL AWARD

October 15, 2024 – The Educational Book and Media Association (EBMA) is pleased to announce that Jason Reynolds is the recipient of the 2024 Jeremiah Ludington Memorial Award. The award, named after EBMA’s founder, is presented annually to an individual who has made a significant contribution to the educational book world. Past recipients include Jeff Kinney, Jerry Craft, Joseph Bruchac, Nikki Grimes, Jane Yolen, and Kate DiCamillo.

Jason Reynolds is a #1 New York Times bestselling author of numerous award-winning books, including When I Was the Greatest, The Boy in the Black Suit, All American Boys, Long Way Down, Look Both Ways, Stamped, and his debut picture book, There Was a Party for Langston. To date, he has published 22 books, with the most recent, Twenty-four Seconds from Now… available October 8, 2024. Jason was recently named a 2024 MacArthur Fellow. He was also named the 2020-2022 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature by the Library of Congress and was the 2023 recipient of the American Library Association’s Margaret A. Edwards Award honoring his significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. Jason is currently on faculty at Lesley University for the Writing for Young People MFA Program, and lives in Washington, DC.

“The EBMA community is honored to present this year’s Ludington Award to Jason Reynolds,” said Ben Conn, EBMA President. “Jason’s books cover a range of topics including neighborhood codes, the dangers of labeling, gun violence, grief, racism, censorship, but also love, family, teamwork, friendship, hope – and just as important, humor. His words engage readers and start conversations. We all look forward to many more years of new stories from Jason.”

Jason Reynolds will accept the Jeremiah Ludington Memorial Award at EBMA’s annual meeting in Las Vegas in January 2025. As part of the award, EBMA will present a $2,000 check to DC Scores, founded by a D.C. public school teacher, which empowers young people to create change through sports, the arts, and service: https://www.dcscores.org/get-involved/.

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EBMA is an association of 117 wholesalers and publishers who are reputable and authoritative suppliers of educational paperbacks, hardcovers, pre-bound books, e-books, and other digital and print materials to the school and library market. The mission of EBMA is to foster a unique community that brings together a wide range of wholesalers and publishers to address the ever-changing book and media buying needs of the educational marketplace.

 For more information about EBMA and the Ludington Award, visit www.edupaperback.org.