Blue Manatee’s Jill Burket-Ragase won a holiday bonus from a well-known figure in the literature world: bestselling author James Patterson. As part of his annual Holiday Bookstore Bonus Program, 500 bookstore employees from across the United States were on the receiving end of a $500 gift from the author.
The winners were chosen from a pool of over 2,500 nominees, with the application posing the question: “Why does this bookseller deserve a holiday bonus?”
Of the 500 winners, 100 went to children’s bookstore employees.
“Booksellers save lives! Children’s booksellers especially — they guide children to books they’ll genuinely enjoy and in turn create a new generation of readers,” Patterson tweeted on Dec. 10, in reference to the bonuses. “I’m happy to be able to acknowledge them and the important work they do in any way that I can!”
Along with the content and logistics manager at the nonprofit Blue Manatee Literacy Project, Burket-Ragase has worked as an independent library consultant for five years. She formerly worked as the juvenile collection development librarian for the Public Library of Cincinnati and Hamilton County.
Patterson provided the funds for the program — $250,000 in total — which were then distributed by the American Booksellers Association.
In a press release, Amanda Kranias, executive director of Blue Manatee Literacy Project, says that Burket-Ragase has dedicated her career to getting books into the hands of young readers. The organization and bookstore is founded on similar principles; for every book purchased at their store, another book is donated to a disadvantaged student in the Cincinnati area. They’re also known for their events, diverse selection and partnerships with local schools and organizations to promote literacy for all.
“She is motivated by seeing children get the best opportunities to succeed,” Kranias says of Burket-Ragase in the release. “As a book buyer, she understands the importance of curating a diverse selection of titles inclusive of people from all backgrounds. It is truly heart-warming and inspiring to see someone so dedicated to their work.”
For more info, visit bluemanatee.org
This article appears in Jan 8-21, 2020.
