Zocalo launches a book prize

Starting next year, Zócalo Public Square will award an annual $5,000 book prize to "the U.S.-published book that most enhances our understanding of community ­ the forces that strengthen or undermine human connectedness and social cohesion be it locally, regionally, nationally or globally." Four finalists will be announced in January, and the winner named in February. Judges the first year are author Greg Critser, historian William Deverell, KCRW general manager Jennifer Ferro, former editor Laurie Ochoa, novelist Michael Tolkin, Zócalo founder Gregory Rodriguez and Josephine Ramirez, Program Director for the Arts at the James Irvine Foundation.

LA Observed is a sponsor of Zócalo.