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Creative Writing
A B O U T T H E J U R O R
Jarod Roselló
Jarod Roselló is a Cuban American writer, cartoonist, and teacher originally from Miami, Florida.
He is the author and artist of the award-winning middle-grade graphic novel series Red Panda & Moon Bear, and the chapter book graphic novel series, Super Magic Boy. His books have been named to the New York Public Library and Chicago Public Library best books of the year lists and the Texas Library Association’s Little Maverick Reading List. He was the recipient of the 2019 Nerdy Award for graphic novels and the 2022 Washington Library Association OTTER Award for children’s literature. Jarod holds an MFA in Creative Writing and a PhD in Curriculum & Instruction, both from The Pennsylvania State University. He lives in Tampa, Florida, and teaches in the creative writing program at the University of South Florida.
W I N N E R S
PRESIDENT’S AWARD
Elle Yoder
“From Freshwater”
GOLD JUROR’S AWARD
Delaney Driscol
Rematch
SILVER JUROR’S AWARD
Katie Batman
Space Cowboys & Cattlemen
BRONZE JUROR’S AWARD
Savannah Worthington
“Once Inside the Butterfly Room”
MINOR JUROR’S AWARD
Sierra Sonberg
The Mundane Life of Gertrude Humphrey