Every year, the librarians of the American Library Association (ALA) gather together to choose the winners of the John Newbery Medal. Let's take a look at some of the prize-winners.

New Kid by Jerry Craft has become the first graphic novel (漫画小说) to ever win the Newbery Medal. The book features the story of middle school student Jordan Banks, who struggles not only with being the new kid at a private school in the Bronx, but also with being an African American student in the midst of a mostly white class. In his novel, Craft addresses important issues of race and class through lively visuals and a likable character.

Hello, Universe follows the story of Virgil, a Filipino-American boy who feels out of place with his family. In order to work up the courage to talk to Valencia, who he loves secretly, he asked for help from his friend Kaori. However, Virgil encounters Chet, a boy who has repeatedly bullied him in the past, on the way to Kaori's house. Chet traps Virgil in a well. As the characters set out to find Virgil, their stories merge as they find and begin to learn about each other.

The Girl Who Drank the Moon is fantasy novel set in a country which has a yearly practice of sacrificing a baby to an evil witch named Xan. However, the witch, who is actually quite kind and gentle, rescues the babies and gives them to families on the other side of the forest, all the while feeding the little ones with starlight on her journey. However, one day, the witch accidentally feeds a baby girl, Luna, moonlight which gives the girl unusual powers.

Last summer, I was assigned to take photos that could communicate the urgency of climate change in northern Canada. When I arrived at an abandoned village on Resolute Bay, I scanned the shore with my camera. Suddenly, I spotted a bear lying on the ground. It didn't move for almost an hour. But when it finally stood up, I had to catch my breath. The bear's once strong body was just skin and bones; every step that it took was painfully slow.

When I posted the photos on social media, I wrote, "This is what starvation may look like. I wonder whether the global population of 25,000 polar bears would die the way this bear is dying."

I did not say that this particular bear was killed by climate change. But news organizations around the world focused on it. The first line of the story published in National Geographic read, "This is what climate change looks like"—with "climate change" highlighted in yellow. Other news agencies even adopted more dramatic headlines.

It was estimated that my photos had been read by about 2.5 billion people around the world. But there was a problem: Most people and the news agencies didn't pick up or misunderstood the real message I tried to send with them. Many people expressed gratitude that I'd provided shocking evidence on climate change, while others who are still trying to deny the existence of climate change accused me of spreading false information.

Perhaps I had made a mistake in not telling the full story—that I was looking for pictures that might foretell the future and that I didn't know what had happened to this particular polar bear.

I can't say that this bear was starving because of climate change, but I am happy that my photos have moved the conversation about climate change to the forefront, where it must remain until this problem is solved.

Until then, when I come across a scene like this one, I will again share with the world—and take pains to be sure that my intention is clear.

There are many ways to get involved and volunteer at the National Museum of American History. Becoming a Museum Ambassador is one of them. To learn more about this volunteer program, please see the descriptions below.

Museum Ambassadors at the American History Museum are a mobile source of information that helps bridge the gap between two other volunteer groups here at the museum—information desk specialists, who provide orientation (方向) assistance when guests arrive, and volunteer docents (讲师), who provide Highlights tours, facilitate hands-on demonstrations and circulate through many of our exhibitions to interact with visitors. Each year, our Museum Ambassadors help over 100,000 people get the most out of their visits by welcoming groups, circulating throughout the museum's public zones to answer basic questions, and directing visitors to programs and exhibitions of interest. The museum has also employed the Museum Ambassadors to assist with special projects and events as needed.

To learn more about what Museum Ambassadors do, check out what Larry has said, "As museum ambassadors, we get to share in the curiosity of a child, the nostalgia (怀旧) of returning visitors, the treasure hunt of students assigned to find important historical objects, and the amazement of those experiencing our eye on the nation's history for the first time. We can help recommend a meaningful museum visit just for you. There's more. We're also traffic cops when elevators and escalators break and extra eyes for museum security."

If you enjoy…

•interacting with diverse audiences, age groups and learning styles.

•working in an often busy and changing environment.

If you have…

•strong interpersonal and communication skills.

•an interest in history and communication.

If you can…commit to three shifts a month (weekday Ambassadors) or twice a month(weekend Ambassadors).

The museum is open 364 days a year, including weekends and holidays.

•handle frequent walking, standing, and talking.

To Apply

To learn more information about the application process, please contact Ruth Shirley.

NOTE: Acceptance into the program is subject to successful completion of an interview and background investigation.