LeVar Burton will host the 74th National Book Awards.Photo:Theo Wargo/WireImageActor, author and literary advocateLeVar Burtonis the new host of the 74th National Book Awards ceremony and benefit dinner, which will take place on Nov. 17 in New York.“I’m a big believer in the power of the written word,” Burton said in a statement from the National Book Foundation, whose previous celebrity hosts for the event have includedNick OffermanandPadma Lakshmi. “It’s an honor to return as host of the biggest night for books, especially in a moment when the freedom to read is at risk and literature both needs and deserves our recognition and support.”The announcement comes afterthe foundation rescindedDrew Barrymore’s initial invitation to host. Barrymore received criticism in September when she resumed filming her daytime television show,The Drew Barrymore Show, amid the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes.The WGA strike endedon Sept. 27, though the SAG-AFTRA strike is still ongoing.LeVar Burton in 2002’s ‘Star Trek: Nemesis’.Cinematic/AlamyBurton is a celebrated figure within the literary community. For 23 years, theRootsandStar Trek: The Next Generationactor served as the host of the PBS Kids seriesReading Rainbow, which taught reading skills to children, and has authored books such asThe Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm. Burton is also outspoken against book banning and censorship. He served as an executive producer on the documentaryThe Right to Readand was the Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week 2023.“Burton’s unique and contagious passion for books has inspired countless readers,” Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation, said in a statement. “This year—more than ever before—books are at risk, and we are tremendously proud to have a champion like Burton celebrate authors, translators, and readers everywhere as the host of the 2023 National Book Awards.”The National Book Awards, whosefinalists have been announced, is seen as one of the most prestigious literary honors in the country. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to literature across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature and young people’s literature. The ceremony will also feature two additional award presentations: the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, to Rita Dove and Paul Yamazaki respectively.LeVar Burton.Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount+Burton previously hosted the awards ceremony in 2019.Oprah Winfreywill alsoappear as a special guestand give remarks this year.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“We are honored to have LeVar Burton—a longtime friend and ally of the National Book Foundation—join us to celebrate the power of stories,” Dickey stated.
LeVar Burton will host the 74th National Book Awards.Photo:Theo Wargo/WireImage
Theo Wargo/WireImage
Actor, author and literary advocateLeVar Burtonis the new host of the 74th National Book Awards ceremony and benefit dinner, which will take place on Nov. 17 in New York.“I’m a big believer in the power of the written word,” Burton said in a statement from the National Book Foundation, whose previous celebrity hosts for the event have includedNick OffermanandPadma Lakshmi. “It’s an honor to return as host of the biggest night for books, especially in a moment when the freedom to read is at risk and literature both needs and deserves our recognition and support.”The announcement comes afterthe foundation rescindedDrew Barrymore’s initial invitation to host. Barrymore received criticism in September when she resumed filming her daytime television show,The Drew Barrymore Show, amid the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes.The WGA strike endedon Sept. 27, though the SAG-AFTRA strike is still ongoing.LeVar Burton in 2002’s ‘Star Trek: Nemesis’.Cinematic/AlamyBurton is a celebrated figure within the literary community. For 23 years, theRootsandStar Trek: The Next Generationactor served as the host of the PBS Kids seriesReading Rainbow, which taught reading skills to children, and has authored books such asThe Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm. Burton is also outspoken against book banning and censorship. He served as an executive producer on the documentaryThe Right to Readand was the Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week 2023.“Burton’s unique and contagious passion for books has inspired countless readers,” Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation, said in a statement. “This year—more than ever before—books are at risk, and we are tremendously proud to have a champion like Burton celebrate authors, translators, and readers everywhere as the host of the 2023 National Book Awards.”The National Book Awards, whosefinalists have been announced, is seen as one of the most prestigious literary honors in the country. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to literature across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature and young people’s literature. The ceremony will also feature two additional award presentations: the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, to Rita Dove and Paul Yamazaki respectively.LeVar Burton.Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount+Burton previously hosted the awards ceremony in 2019.Oprah Winfreywill alsoappear as a special guestand give remarks this year.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“We are honored to have LeVar Burton—a longtime friend and ally of the National Book Foundation—join us to celebrate the power of stories,” Dickey stated.
Actor, author and literary advocateLeVar Burtonis the new host of the 74th National Book Awards ceremony and benefit dinner, which will take place on Nov. 17 in New York.“I’m a big believer in the power of the written word,” Burton said in a statement from the National Book Foundation, whose previous celebrity hosts for the event have includedNick OffermanandPadma Lakshmi. “It’s an honor to return as host of the biggest night for books, especially in a moment when the freedom to read is at risk and literature both needs and deserves our recognition and support.”
The announcement comes afterthe foundation rescindedDrew Barrymore’s initial invitation to host. Barrymore received criticism in September when she resumed filming her daytime television show,The Drew Barrymore Show, amid the Writers Guild of America (WGA) and SAG-AFTRA strikes.The WGA strike endedon Sept. 27, though the SAG-AFTRA strike is still ongoing.
LeVar Burton in 2002’s ‘Star Trek: Nemesis’.Cinematic/Alamy
Cinematic/Alamy
Burton is a celebrated figure within the literary community. For 23 years, theRootsandStar Trek: The Next Generationactor served as the host of the PBS Kids seriesReading Rainbow, which taught reading skills to children, and has authored books such asThe Rhino Who Swallowed a Storm. Burton is also outspoken against book banning and censorship. He served as an executive producer on the documentaryThe Right to Readand was the Honorary Chair of Banned Books Week 2023.
“Burton’s unique and contagious passion for books has inspired countless readers,” Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation, said in a statement. “This year—more than ever before—books are at risk, and we are tremendously proud to have a champion like Burton celebrate authors, translators, and readers everywhere as the host of the 2023 National Book Awards.”
The National Book Awards, whosefinalists have been announced, is seen as one of the most prestigious literary honors in the country. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to literature across fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature and young people’s literature. The ceremony will also feature two additional award presentations: the Medal for Distinguished Contribution to American Letters and the Literarian Award for Outstanding Service to the American Literary Community, to Rita Dove and Paul Yamazaki respectively.
LeVar Burton.Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount+
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Paramount+
Burton previously hosted the awards ceremony in 2019.Oprah Winfreywill alsoappear as a special guestand give remarks this year.
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.“We are honored to have LeVar Burton—a longtime friend and ally of the National Book Foundation—join us to celebrate the power of stories,” Dickey stated.
source: people.com
