October 14th 2023.
LeVar Burton has been named the host of the 2023 National Book Awards following the backlash to Drew Barrymore's ill-fated decision to attempt the return of her daytime talk show ahead of the WGA agreement with streamers and studios.
The National Book Awards issued a statement on Sept. 13 announcing that they had dropped Barrymore as the host of the prestigious literary awards ceremony.
“The National Book Awards is an evening dedicated to celebrating the power of literature, and the incomparable contributions of writers to our culture,” the statement read. “In light of the announcement that 'The Drew Barrymore Show' will resume production, the National Book Foundation has rescinded Ms. Barrymore’s invitation to host the 74th National Book Awards Ceremony.”
LeVar Burton is no stranger to the National Book Awards. He hosted the ceremony in 2019, and according to NPR, he expressed his pleasure at resuming the role for the organization in a statement on Oct. 13. This was in a climate where books that make statements against oppression were seemingly under attack.
“I'm a big believer in the power of the written word, and am proud to stand alongside the National Book Foundation to celebrate exceptional storytelling and the Foundation's mission to make books accessible to everyone, everywhere,” Burton said. “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.”
Burton has been an advocate for books and reading since his days hosting "Reading Rainbow," a show promoting children's literacy which aired on PBS from 1983 to 2006. He also hosts a podcast, "LeVar Burton Reads," where he narrates fiction selections. He even serves as the American Library Association's honorary chair during Banned Books Week, to protest the book bans that have been popping up all across the country.
Ruth Dickey, Executive Director of the National Book Foundation, which presents the awards ceremony, had this to say about Burton on Oct. 13: “From his role as the beloved host of 'Reading Rainbow' to his new documentary 'The Right to Read,' Burton's unique and contagious passion for books has inspired countless readers. 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.”
In 2022, Burton shared with Entertainment Weekly his thoughts on the importance of "Reading Rainbow" and his Lifetime Achievement Emmy Award. He said, “Television had become a really important part of the daily lives of America's children, and the question was, and always is, how do we get our children to read more? How do we more effectively submit that relationship between an emerging reader and the written word? And television was a very counterintuitive medium to enlist as an aid in this process."
Burton reflected on the show, and said that his most important and most lasting legacy will be "Reading Rainbow," because the show is directly responsible for fostering a lifelong love of reading and books in children. He lamented the loss of other shows which appeared alongside his on PBS, like "Sesame Street" and "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood," saying, “We know how good those shows are now by the truth of the absence of shows like them. They may get some social emotional awareness from Mr. Rogers, they'll get some rudiments in letters and numbers and the same from Sesame Street, and they'll be encouraged to develop a personal relationship with the written word and storytelling through Reading Rainbow. That's a pretty good moment.”
We are so fortunate to have LeVar Burton as the host of the 2023 National Book Awards. His passion for books and literacy, as well as his tireless advocacy for the freedom to read, will make this event truly special. Join us in celebrating this incredible accomplishment, and in our support of all authors and readers everywhere.
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