Chrystal Carr Jeter, the longtime librarian who served as a judge for the 2021 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature, has died at 76.
Jeter, who was educated at California State University, Los Angeles, and the University of Southern California, worked for more than 23 years at the Anchorage Municipal Libraries in Alaska, starting in 1977. She was a co-founder of the Alaska Center for the Book, a Library of Congress affiliate, and was a children’s book review columnist for Alaska Parenting News.
She later moved to Ohio, where she worked at the Cleveland Public Library and the Willoughby-Eastlake Public Library. She was a longtime member of the American Library Association, serving as executive chair of the Coretta Scott King Book Award committee from 2010 to 2012, and as a member of the Notable Books for Children Committee from 2014 to 2015.
In 2021, Jeter was a member of the judging panel for the young readers’ Kirkus Prize. That year’s award went to All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat.
Kirkus young readers’ editor Laura Simeon said, “Chrystal’s tremendous knowledge of young people’s literature, generous mentoring of authors and library colleagues, and tireless contributions to numerous children’s book awards and committees were matched only by her luminous personality; everyone who met her immediately felt her warmth, compassion, and sincerity.”
Jeter will be remembered at a celebration of life service on Jan. 25 at The Church of God in Cleveland.
Michael Schaub is a contributing writer.
