LOUISIANA BOOK FESTIVAL

Established in 2002, the Louisiana Book Festival is a celebration of readers, writers, and their books. It has become the state's flagship book festival, attracting almost 200 authors and presenters every year.

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

The 2024 Black History Month Program was presented by former Louisiana Poet Laureate Mona Lisa Saloy, whose books of poetry focus on Black Creole culture. Saloy's presentation, titled Some History of the 7th Ward, put a spotlight on the historic Black neighborhood in New Orleans.

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH

The 2024 Women's History Month Program, "The Secret Life and Public Notoriety of Kat Chopin," was presented by Dr. Emily Toth. The program focused on The Awakening, Chopin's controversial novel that was published 125 years ago and largely forgotten until well into the 20th century.

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Louisiana Poet Laureate Alison Pelegrin hosted the 14th annual "Just Listen to Yourself: Louisiana's Poet Laureate Presents Louisiana Poets" at the State Library on April 11, 2024. Six poets, including Pelegrin, read their work: Kelly Harris, Skye Jackson, former Louisiana Poet Laureate Julie Kane, Erin Little, Brad Richard, and Mona Lisa Saloy, who preceded Pelegrin as the state's Poet Laureate.

LOUISIANA WRITER AWARD

The Louisiana Center for the Book has presented the Louisiana Writer Award since 2000. The 2024 recipient is Baton Rouge-area native David Kirby, an author and poet. The Louisiana Writer Award will be presented to Kirby during the annual ceremony at the Louisiana Book Festival on Saturday, Nov. 2.

LOUISIANA READERS' CHOICE AWARDS

The Louisiana Readers' Choice Awards program began in 1999 as a way to encourage reading among young people. Students across the state have read nearly 1.5 million books and cast more than 460,000 votes in the 25 years since the program began.

SUMMER READING

The summer reading program is offered by public libraries across the state. Children  and adults participate by reading books during the summer and attending events at their library. The theme for 2024 is "Adventure Begins at Your Library." Contact your local library to learn more.

The Louisiana Center for the Book is proud to have selected these two books as the Great Reads titles that will represent the state at the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., on Saturday, Aug. 24.

Since 2002, the 56 affiliated Centers for the Book have chosen books, called Great Reads, to be recognized at the National Book Festival's Roadmap to Reading, a space at the festival where every center has a table to promote their book choices as well as other aspects of their state’s or territory’s unique literary heritage.

A complete list of Great Reads from all Centers for the Book can be found here.

ADULT SELECTION

The American Daughters, by Maurice Carlos Ruffin

From the publisher: 

YOUTH SELECTION

I Am Ruby Bridges, by Ruby Bridges

From the publisher:

When Ruby Bridges was just six years old, she became the first Black student to integrate an elementary school in the South. Based on the pivotal events that happened in 1960 and told from her own point of view in a poetic reflection on her experience that changed the face of history and the trajectory of the civil rights movement.

Embracing the meaning of her name, Bridges reflects with poignancy and heart on the way one brave little girl stood proud and tall to help build a bridge between all people and pave the path for future generations.