OXFORD, PA —Joining the ranks of literary greats including Cynthia Rylant, Kevin Henkes, and Kate DiCamillo, Oxford resident Annette Whipple’s book Chomp! The Truth About Sharks was chosen as a Student’s Choice Keystone to Reading award winner by Pennsylvania students. Whipple received the award on October 6th during an award ceremony held at Kalahari Resort in Pocono Manor during the Keystone State Literacy Association’s annual conference.
Whipple spoke about the story behind the book at the conference’s breakfast. Chomp! The Truth About Shark’s journey is what she called “a long road.” She told the audience she didn’t like writing as a girl. “I only wrote letters to friends.” Whipple also shared how the first book in the series, titled Whooo Knew? The Truth About Owls took 35 drafts and several years to get it ready for publishing.
Glendia Kennedy, a co-chair with Rose Capelli, announced Annette Whipple’s book Chomp! The Truth About Sharks as the elementary intermediate winner during the award ceremony. In her acceptance speech, Whipple thanked the team at Reycraft books, as well as the talented Juanbjuan Oliver, who creates engaging illustrations for Whipple’s books in this series. In addition, she thanked her shark expert, critique partners, family, as well as Pennsylvania students and the KSLA committee for selecting Chomp! as one of the Keystone to Reading nominations.
Readers learn about sharks in the question-and-answer format of Chomp! The Truth About Sharks. They appreciate the bold photographs and humorous illustrations of the picture book.
Winners of the Keystone to Reading awards are often submitted by members of the Keystone State Literacy Association. A nomination committee narrows down the selections for preschool, primary, intermediate, middle school, and high school levels. Then teachers throughout the state read nominated books with their students who vote on a winner. Chomp! The Truth About Sharks won the Keystone to Reading award at the intermediate level
Annette Whipple thinks facts are fun and writes nonfiction for children. She is a frequent speaker at schools and conferences and has written 40 books. She was named the 2025 Outstanding Pennsylvania author by school librarians. When she’s not reading or writing, Annette enjoys baking and hiking at local parks. She lives in Oxford with her husband and three teenagers.
For more information about Annette Whipple, her books, or author events, visit AnnetteWhipple.com. Her books are available wherever books are sold, and many are available to borrow through the Chester County Library System. For more information about the award, please contact the Keystone State Literacy Association.
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