NCTE and Penguin Random House Announce the Anne Frank Award for Teaching Memoir

New grant program from NCTE, Penguin Random House, and the Anne Frank Fonds uses memoir to educate and inspire student writers

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE), Penguin Random House, and the Anne Frank Fonds, which is responsible for the publication of Anne Frank’s seminal work, The Diary of a Young Girl, today announced the Anne Frank Award for Teaching Memoir, giving English language arts educators from middle to postsecondary levels the opportunity to apply for funding to advance the teaching of memoir and support student writing in the classroom.

Through the new awards program, ten English teachers will receive a $1,000 grant to teach memoir across language arts education—especially texts focused on children’s voices and experiences during times of war, such as The Diary of a Young Girl.

“English language arts educators know that teaching memoir is an effective strategy for building students’ writing and reading skills,” said Emily Kirkpatrick, Executive Director of the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE). “The partnership with Penguin Random House and the Anne Frank Fonds sends new support to English language arts teachers as they inspire young readers and writers.”

Teachers spanning middle, secondary, and community college classroom settings are eligible to apply. The program will emphasize:

• The importance of reading entire texts and of student writing and creation in ELA contexts.
• The role of memoir in ELA contexts and, through collaborations, across disciplines.
• The value of nonfiction and its expansion in ELA settings.

“The Diary of a Young Girl not only chronicles a pivotal time in history—it is also a deeply moving coming-of-age story that resonates with readers of all ages,” said Nihar Malaviya, CEO of Penguin Random House. “We are so proud to collaborate with our longtime partners at the Anne Frank Fonds and NCTE to support teachers and foster a new generation of thoughtful and empathetic students.”

Grant recipients will be selected by a panel comprising teachers appointed by NCTE and a representative from the Anne Frank Fonds and Penguin Random House Education.

“It is essential that new generations of students understand the universal lessons contained in The Diary of a Young Girl as we strive for a world filled with acceptance, belonging, and healing,” said John D. Goldsmith, President of the Board of Trustees of the Anne Frank Fonds. “Anne believed that everyone had a role to play in making the world more humane and more just. This new program will help to keep her message alive.”

Teachers can apply for a grant through August 1. Winners will be announced in September.

About NCTE

The National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) is the professional organization for literacy teachers spanning preK through college. Through the expertise and advocacy from its members’ professional research, practice, and knowledge, NCTE has served at the forefront of every major improvement in the teaching and learning of English and the language arts since 1911. For more information, please visit ncte.org.

About Penguin Random House

Penguin Random House creates books for everyone. We believe books change us, connect us, and carry us toward a better future. As the world’s largest trade publisher, we reach readers in more than 175 countries with stories and ideas across the spectrum of viewpoints and experiences. Each year, we publish more than 14,000 new works spanning fiction and nonfiction for readers of all ages and in all print, digital, and audio formats. Penguin Random House is a proud home to the world’s most influential voices, thinkers, and storytellers, including more than 80 Nobel Prize laureates, 140 US Pulitzer Prizes, 20 National Book Awards, and 24 UK Booker Award winners. As fierce champions for free expression and expanding access to books, we celebrate the right to read, think, and learn. Every day we strive to build a more equitable, inclusive, and sustainable world. With businesses in more than 20 countries, Penguin Random House was formed in 2013 and has been solely owned by Bertelsmann since 2020. PRHEducation.com

About the Anne Frank Fonds

The Anne Frank Fonds Basel was founded in 1963 by Otto Frank and designated as universal heir. Otto Frank’s commitment was to an open society showing solidarity and without prejudice or marginalization. He particularly supported work relating to peace, young people, and dialogue, and advocated the strengthening of human rights as well as opposing any form of discrimination, racism, or anti-Semitism. The nonprofit organization works on a voluntary basis and donates income to charitable and educational projects. annefrank.ch/en

MEDIA CONTACT:

Allie Ciaramella, NCTE: aciaramella@ncte.org

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