Charlie May Simon Book Award (Grades 4-6)
The Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award for children's literature has been presented annually since 1971 to an author whose book has been selected through a vote taken by Arkansas school children in grades four, five and six. The purpose of the award is to promote better reading for children and to recognize Mrs. John Gould Fletcher, an outstanding Arkansas author who wrote under the pen name Charlie May Simon.
Charlie May Simon was born August 17, 1897, at Monticello, Arkansas, but moved to Memphis at an early age. She attended Memphis State University, Stanford University and the Chicago Art Institute. She returned to Arkansas after she married John Gould Fletcher in 1936. Throughout her lifetime, Mrs. Fletcher traveled extensively, gathering information for her many prize winning biographies. She lived at Johnswood, her home in Little Rock, until her death in 1977.
During her distinguished career, Charlie May Simon wrote over 27 books for children and young adults. Her first work, ROBIN ON THE MOUNTAIN, was published in 1934 and is considered a classic in children's literature. Other works include STRAW IN THE SUN, ALL MEN ARE BROTHERS, and FAITH HAS NEED OF ALL THE TRUTH.
