Poet, educator, and New York Times bestselling author Kwame Alexander won the Newbery Medal for his verse novel The Crossover, and his picture book The Undefeated, illustrated by Kadir Nelson, was awarded the Caldecott Medal and a Newbery Honor. Alexander is founding editor of the Versify imprint, devoted to prose and poetry titles that “celebrate the lives and reflect the possibilities of all children.” He’s also a regular contributor to NPR’s Morning Edition, where he serves as poet ambassador.

In 2018, Alexander opened the Barbara E. Alexander Memorial Library and Health Clinic in Ghana, as a part of LEAP for Ghana, an international literacy program he cofounded. His forthcoming novel The Door of No Return (Little, Brown, Sept.) launches a middle grade trilogy rooted in the history of Ghana.

Kwame Alexander will discuss his forthcoming title The Door of No Return on Thursday, May 26, 12:30–1 p.m. ET.

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