Award Winning Author Kwame Alexander to Headline SC State Library Poetry Celebration

kwame alexander

In 2017, the South Carolina State Library hosted the first Young Minds Dreaming Poetry Contest, with more than 600 students participating from across the state. This year we will host our second annual event honoring poets and National Poetry Month with a special community celebration on April 21, featuring award-winning writer and poet, Kwame Alexander!

Kwame Alexander is a poet, educator, and the New York Times bestselling author of 25 books, including Rebound, the follow-up to his Newbery-medal winning middle grade novel, The Crossover. Kwame writes for children of all ages. Some of his other works include The Playbook: 52 Rules to Help You Aim, Shoot, and Score in this Game of Life; the picture books Surf's Up, Animal Ark, and Out of Wonder; and the novels Solo and Booked.

This community celebration begins at the SC State Library at 5:30 p.m. Doors open at 5:00 p.m., Kwame will speak at 5:30 p.m. followed by light refreshments and a book signing. There will be an opportunity to purchase books or you can bring your own. While the community event is free to the public, reserving a ticket is required. For more information, visit our Eventbrite page.

For more information on the YMD Poetry Contest, visit our website.

Upcoming Event

Image of Jennifer Boykin Boyd

Jennifer Bartell Boykin, Poet Laureate of Columbia, SC

April 25, 2024, 6:00 PM
Join the South Carolina State Library's Center for the Book for our next Speaker at the Center Author Talk, featuring Poet Laureate of Columbia, SC, Jennifer Bartell Boykin. She will discuss her debut book of poetry, Traveling Mercy, and her upcoming release, Only Believe (The Word Works), a winner of the 2023 Hilary Tham Capital Collection.