Writer Jacqueline Woodson named young people’s poet laureate, awarded $25,000

NEW YORK, N.Y. – Jacqueline Woodson, last fall’s National Book Award winner for young people’s literature, has a new honour as young people’s poet laureate.

The Chicago-based Poetry Foundation announced Wednesday that Woodson has been given the title “in recognition of a career devoted to writing exceptional poetry for young readers.”

The 52-year-old New York City writer receives a $25,000 cash prize, and will advise the foundation on poetry projects.

Woodson was cited by National Book Award judges in November for “Brown Girl Dreaming,” an autobiographical novel in verse. Her other works include “Miracle’s Boys” and “Each Kindness.”