James Patterson Receives Honor
Oline H. Cogdill

 

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In addition to his best-selling novels, James Patterson has become a real advocate for books and literacy.

He’s set aside millions of dollars to be divided among a large number of libraries and independent bookstores.

He also has a couple of programs that promote literacy among children, including a partnership with NBA All-Star Dwayne Wade that emphasizes “the importance of reading for success in life.”

Patterson is also responsible for hundreds of thousands of books that have been donated to children and members of the military. He has also started his own publishing imprint at Little, Brown and Co.

For his concern about literacy, Patterson is receiving an honorary National Book Award.

Patterson has won the Literarian Award for “outstanding service to the American literary community,” the National Book Foundation has announced.

Previous recipients of the Literarian prize include Maya Angelou and Lawrence Ferlinghetti.

Patterson, 68, will be honored on November 18 at the annual National Book Awards ceremony dinner in Manhattan. The awards are presented by the nonprofit National Book Foundation.

Oline Cogdill
2015-10-07 10:25:00