Honors to go to Wolfe, 'Sesame Street' founder

[September 16, 2010]  NEW YORK (AP) -- For at least one night, Tom Wolfe will share billing with one of the founders of "Sesame Street."

The National Book Foundation announced Wednesday that the author of such best-sellers as "The Right Stuff" and "The Bonfire of the Vanities" will receive an honorary National Book Award for lifetime achievement.

The foundation said a special prize for outstanding service to the American literary community also will be given to Joan Ganz Cooney. Cooney's research on television and education helped inspire the beloved children's program "Sesame Street."

Nominees for the competitive categories will be announced Oct. 13.

The awards ceremony takes place Nov. 17. Humorist Andy Borowitz will be the host.

[Associated Press]

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