Awarded biennially, the American Indian Youth Literature Award honors authors who present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity. In odd-numbered years, nominations are encouraged in fiction or nonfiction and may include graphic novels; for picture books, the award is for both author and illustrator. Awards are granted in even-numbered years. Authors/illustrators may win the American Indian Youth Literature Award in the categories Best Picture Book, Best Middle Grade Book, and Best Young Adult Book. In addition, up to five awards may be selected as Honors books in each category. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2022 American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner - Picture Book
Herizon by
Herizon follows the journey of a young Diné girl as she helps her grandmother retrieve a flock of sheep with a magical scarf that transforms the world she knows.The inspiring story celebrates creativity and bravery, while promoting an inclusive future made possible through intergenerational strength and knowledge.
2022 American Indian Youth Literature Award Picture Book Honors
Classified by
Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work. Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross's journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all. "A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators."--starred, Kirkus Reviews
We Are Still Here! by
Twelve Native American kids present historical and contemporary laws, policies, struggles, and victories in Native life, each with a powerful refrain- We are still here! Too often, Native American history is treated as a finished chapter instead of relevant and ongoing. This companion book to the award-winning We Are Grateful- Otsaliheliga offers readers everything they never learned in school about Native American people's past, present, and future. Precise, lyrical writing presents topics including- forced assimilation (such as boarding schools), land allotment and Native tribal reorganization, termination (the US government not recognizing tribes as nations), Native urban relocation (from reservations), self-determination (tribal self-empowerment), Native civil rights, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), religious freedom, economic development (including casino development), Native language revival efforts, cultural persistence, and nationhood.
2022 American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner - Middle School
Healer of the Water Monster by
Brian Young's powerful debut novel tells of a seemingly ordinary Navajo boy who must save the life of a Water Monster--and comes to realize he's a hero at heart. When Nathan goes to visit his grandma, Nali, at her mobile summer home on the Navajo reservation, he knows he's in for a pretty uneventful summer, with no electricity or cell service. Still, he loves spending time with Nali and with his uncle Jet, though it's clear when Jet arrives that he brings his problems with him. One night, while lost in the nearby desert, Nathan finds someone extraordinary: a Holy Being from the Navajo Creation Story--a Water Monster--in need of help. Now Nathan must summon all his courage to save his new friend. With the help of other Navajo Holy Beings, Nathan is determined to save the Water Monster, and to support Uncle Jet in healing from his own pain. The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.
2022 American Indian Youth Literature Award Middle School Honors
The Sea in Winter by
In this evocative and heartwarming novel for readers who loved The Thing About Jellyfish, the author of I Can Make This Promise tells the story of a Native American girl struggling to find her joy again. It's been a hard year for Maisie Cannon, ever since she hurt her leg and could not keep up with her ballet training and auditions. Her blended family is loving and supportive, but Maisie knows that they just can't understand how hopeless she feels. With everything she's dealing with, Maisie is not excited for their family midwinter road trip along the coast, near the Makah community where her mother grew up. But soon, Maisie's anxieties and dark moods start to hurt as much as the pain in her knee. How can she keep pretending to be strong when on the inside she feels as roiling and cold as the ocean The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.
2022 American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner - Young Adult
Apple by
How about a book that makes you barge into your boss's office to read a page of poetry from? That you dream of? That every movie, song, book, moment that follows continues to evoke in some way? The term "Apple" is a slur in Native communities across the country. It's for someone supposedly "red on the outside, white on the inside." Eric Gansworth is telling his story in Apple (Skin to the Core). The story of his family, of Onondaga among Tuscaroras, of Native folks everywhere. From the horrible legacy of the government boarding schools, to a boy watching his siblings leave and return and leave again, to a young man fighting to be an artist who balances multiple worlds. Eric shatters that slur and reclaims it in verse and prose and imagery that truly lives up to the word heartbreaking.
2022 American Indian Youth Literature Award Young Adult Honors
Elatsoe by
A National Indie Bestseller TIME's Best 100 Fantasy Books of All Time An NPR Best Book of 2020 A Booklist's Top 10 First Novel for Youth A BookPage Best Book of 2020 A CPL "Best of the Best" Book A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2020 A Buzzfeed Best YA SFF Book of 2020 A Shelf Awareness Best Book of 2020 An AICL Best YA Book of 2020 A Kirkus Best YA Book of 2020 A Tor Best Book of 2020 PRAISE "Groundbreaking." --TIME "Deeply enjoyable from start to finish." --NPR "Utterly magical." --SyFyWire "Atmospheric and lyrical...a gorgeous work of art." --BuzzFeed "One of the best YA debuts of 2020. Read it." --Marieke Nijkamp FIVE STARRED REVIEWS ★ "A fresh voice and perspective." --Booklist, starred review ★ "A unique and powerful Native American voice." --BookPage, starred review ★ "A brilliant, engaging debut." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ "A fast-paced murder mystery." --Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ "A Lipan Apache Sookie Stackhouse for the teen set." --Shelf-Awareness, starred review A Texas teen comes face-to-face with a cousin's ghost and vows to unmask the murderer. Elatsoe--Ellie for short--lives in an alternate contemporary America shaped by the ancestral magics and knowledge of its Indigenous and immigrant groups. She can raise the spirits of dead animals--most importantly, her ghost dog Kirby. When her beloved cousin dies, all signs point to a car crash, but his ghost tells her otherwise: He was murdered. Who killed him and how did he die? With the help of her family, her best friend Jay, and the memory great, great, great, great, great, great grandmother, Elatsoe, must track down the killer and unravel the mystery of this creepy town and its dark past. But will the nefarious townsfolk and a mysterious Doctor stop her before she gets started? A breathtaking debut novel featuring an asexual, Apache teen protagonist, Elatsoe combines mystery, horror, noir, ancestral knowledge, haunting illustrations, fantasy elements, and is one of the most-talked about debuts of the year.
Firekeeper's Daughter by
A PRINTZ MEDAL WINNER! A MORRIS AWARD WINNER! AN AMERICAN INDIAN YOUTH LITERATURE AWARD YA HONOR BOOK! A REESE WITHERSPOON x HELLO SUNSHINE BOOK CLUB YA PICK An Instant #1 New York Times Bestseller Soon to be adapted at Netflix for TV with President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama's production company, Higher Ground. "One of this year's most buzzed about young adult novels." --Good Morning America A TIME Magazine Best YA Book of All Time Selection Amazon's Best YA Book of 2021 So Far (June 2021) A 2021 Kids' Indie Next List Selection An Entertainment Weekly Most Anticipated Books of 2021 Selection A PopSugar Best March 2021 YA Book Selection With four starred reviews, Angeline Boulley's debut novel, Firekeeper's Daughter, is a groundbreaking YA thriller about a Native teen who must root out the corruption in her community, perfect for readers of Angie Thomas and Tommy Orange. Eighteen-year-old Daunis Fontaine has never quite fit in, both in her hometown and on the nearby Ojibwe reservation. She dreams of a fresh start at college, but when family tragedy strikes, Daunis puts her future on hold to look after her fragile mother. The only bright spot is meeting Jamie, the charming new recruit on her brother Levi's hockey team. Yet even as Daunis falls for Jamie, she senses the dashing hockey star is hiding something. Everything comes to light when Daunis witnesses a shocking murder, thrusting her into an FBI investigation of a lethal new drug. Reluctantly, Daunis agrees to go undercover, drawing on her knowledge of chemistry and Ojibwe traditional medicine to track down the source. But the search for truth is more complicated than Daunis imagined, exposing secrets and old scars. At the same time, she grows concerned with an investigation that seems more focused on punishing the offenders than protecting the victims. Now, as the deceptions--and deaths--keep growing, Daunis must learn what it means to be a strong Anishinaabe kwe (Ojibwe woman) and how far she'll go for her community, even if it tears apart the only world she's ever known.
The Américas Award was first given in 1993 to encourage and commend authors, illustrators and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States, and to provide teachers with recommendations for classroom use. The Center for Latin American Studies offers up to two annual book awards, together with a commended list of titles. A list of previous winners can be found here.
The 2022 Américas Award Winners
Child of the Flower-Song People by
She was Luz Jiménez, child of the flower-song people, the powerful Aztec, who called themselves Nahua- who lost their land but who did not disappear. As a young Nahua girl in Mexico during the early 1900s, Luz learned how to grind corn in a metate, to twist yarn with her toes, and to weave on a loom. By the fire at night, she listened to stories of her community's joys, suffering, and survival, and wove them into her heart. But when the Mexican Revolution came to her village, Luz and her family were forced to flee and start a new life. In Mexico City, Luz became a model for painters, sculptors, and photographers such as Diego Rivera, Jean Charlot, and Tina Modotti. These artists were interested in showing the true face of Mexico and not a European version. Through her work, Luz found a way to preserve her people's culture by sharing her native language, stories, and traditions. Soon, scholars came to learn from her. This moving, beautifully illustrated biography tells the remarkable story of how model and teacher Luz Jiménez became "the soul of Mexico"-a living link between the indigenous Nahua and the rest of the world. Through her deep pride in her roots and her unshakeable spirit, the world came to recognize the beauty and strength of her people. The book includes an author's note, timeline, glossary, and bibliography.
My Two Border Towns by
A picture book debut by an award-winning author about a boy's life on the U.S.-Mexico border, visiting his favorite places on The Other Side with his father, spending time with family and friends, and sharing in the responsibility of community care. Early one Saturday morning, a boy prepares for a trip to The Other Side/El Otro Lado. It's close--just down the street from his school--and it's a twin of where he lives. To get there, his father drives their truck along the Rio Grande and over a bridge, where they're greeted by a giant statue of an eagle. Their outings always include a meal at their favorite restaurant, a visit with Tío Mateo at his jewelry store, a cold treat from the paletero, and a pharmacy pickup. On their final and most important stop, they check in with friends seeking asylum and drop off much-needed supplies. My Two Border Towns by David Bowles, with stunning watercolor illustrations by Erika Meza, is the loving story of a father and son's weekend ritual, a demonstration of community care, and a tribute to the fluidity, complexity, and vibrancy of life on the U.S.-Mexico border. Available in English and Spanish.
The 2022 Américas Award Honorable Mention Titles
Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna by
2022 Pura Belpré Honor Book NYPL Best Book of 2021 Texas Bluebonnet Master List Selection NPR Best Book of 2021 Based on a true story, the tale of one girl's perilous journey to cross the U.S. border and lead her family to safety during the Mexican Revolution. "Wrenching debut about family, loss, and finding the strength to carry on."--Booklist, starred review "Blazes bright, gripping readers until the novel's last page."--Publishers Weekly, starred review "Vital and perilous and hopeful."--Alan Gratz, New York Timesbestselling author ofRefugee It is 1913, and twelve-year-old Petra Luna's mama has died while the Revolution rages in Mexico. Before her papa is dragged away by soldiers, Petra vows to him that she will care for the family she has left--her abuelita, little sister Amelia, and baby brother Luisito--until they can be reunited. They flee north through the unforgiving desert as their town burns, searching for safe harbor in a world that offers none. Each night when Petra closes her eyes, she holds her dreams close, especially her long-held desire to learn to read. Abuelita calls these barefoot dreams: "They're like us barefoot peasants and indios--they're not meant to go far." But Petra refuses to listen. Through battlefields and deserts, hunger and fear, Petra will stop at nothing to keep her family safe and lead them to a better life across the U.S. border--a life where her barefoot dreams could finally become reality. "Dobbs' wrenching debut, about family, loss, and finding the strength to carry on, illuminates the harsh realities of war, the heartbreaking disparities between the poor and the rich, and the racism faced by Petra and her family. Readers will love Petra, who is as strong as the black-coal rock she carries with her and as beautiful as the diamond hidden within it."--Booklist, starred review
Niños by
On September 11, 1973, a military coup plunged Chile into seventeen long years of dictatorial rule. Only the return of democracy could reveal the full horrors of Augusto Pinochet's regime: 3,197 people dead or disappeared--including thirty-four children under the age of fourteen. This book is a stirring memorial to those victims and to the cost of extremism. Thirty-four poems--one for each child lost--consider the diverse hopes of these fragile young lives. From Alicia to Jaime, Héctor to Paola, Soledad to Rafael, they were brave and creative, thoughtful and strong. In these pages, some children watch for the changing seasons. Some listen for new sounds on rainy afternoons. And some can't wait for their next birthday. Featuring gentle, emotive poems and soft, pastel-toned illustrations, Niños is an unforgettable tribute to the children of Pinochet's Chile and all those threatened by political violence across the world.
The Last Cuentista by
Winner of the John Newbery Medal Winner of the Pura Belpré Award TIME's Best Books of the Year Wall Street Journal's Best of the Year Minneapolis Star Tribune's Best of the Year Boston Globe's Best of the Year BookPage's Best of the Year Publishers Weekly's Best of the Year School Library Journal's Best of the Year Kirkus Reviews' Best of the Year Bank Street's Best of the Year Chicago Public Library's Best of the Best New York Public Library Best of the Year A Junior Library Guild Selection Cybils Award Finalist From Pura Belpré Award winner and Newbery Medalist, Donna Barba Higuera--a brilliant journey through the stars, to the very heart of what makes us human. "Gripping in its twists and turns, and moving in its themes - truly a beautiful cuento."--New York Times "Clever and compelling . wonderfully subversive."--The Wall Street Journal ★ "This tale packs a wallop. Exquisite."--Kirkus Reviews (starred) ★ "Gripping, euphonious, and full of storytelling magic."--Publishers Weekly (starred) ★ "A strong, heroic character, fighting incredible odds to survive and protect others."--School Library Journal (starred) Había una vez . . . There lived a girl named Petra Peña, who wanted nothing more than to be a storyteller, like her abuelita. But Petra's world is ending. Earth has been destroyed by a comet, and only a few hundred scientists and their children - among them Petra and her family - have been chosen to journey to a new planet. They are the ones who must carry on the human race. Hundreds of years later, Petra wakes to this new planet - and the discovery that she is the only person who remembers Earth. A sinister Collective has taken over the ship during its journey, bent on erasing the sins of humanity's past. They have systematically purged the memories of all aboard - or purged them altogether. Petra alone now carries the stories of our past, and with them, any hope for our future. Can she make them live again?
The Arab American Book Award is a literary program created in 2006 to honor books written by and about Arab Americans. The program generates greater awareness of Arab American scholarship and writing through an annual award competition and educational outreach. Winners are announced in November each year. A list of previous winners can be found here.
2022 Arab American Book Award Winners for Children & Young Adults
Home Is Not a Country by
LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD "Nothing short of magic." --Elizabeth Acevedo, New York Times bestselling author of The Poet X From the acclaimed poet featured on Forbes Africa's "30 Under 30" list, this powerful novel-in-verse captures one girl, caught between cultures, on an unexpected journey to face the ephemeral girl she might have been. Woven through with moments of lyrical beauty, this is a tender meditation on family, belonging, and home. my mother meant to name me for her favorite flower its sweetness garlands made for pretty girls i imagine her yasmeen bright & alive & i ache to have been born her instead Nima wishes she were someone else. She doesn't feel understood by her mother, who grew up in a different land. She doesn't feel accepted in her suburban town; yet somehow, she isn't different enough to belong elsewhere. Her best friend, Haitham, is the only person with whom she can truly be herself. Until she can't, and suddenly her only refuge is gone. As the ground is pulled out from under her, Nima must grapple with the phantom of a life not chosen--the name her parents meant to give her at birth--Yasmeen. But that other name, that other girl, might be more real than Nima knows. And the life Nima wishes were someone else's. . . is one she will need to fight for with a fierceness she never knew she possessed.
The Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature honors and recognizes individual works about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit. A list of past winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Asian/Pacific American Award Winner for Young Adult Literature
Himawari House by
Winner of the 2023 Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Fiction Literature Winner of the 2022 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers' Literature A 2021 Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year A 2021 School Library Best Books of the Year A young adult graphic novel about three foreign exchange students and the pleasures, and difficulties, of adjusting to living in Japan. Living in a new country is no walk in the park--Nao, Hyejung, and Tina can all attest to that. The three of them became fast friends through living together in the Himawari House in Tokyo and attending the same Japanese cram school. Nao came to Japan to reconnect with her Japanese heritage, while Hyejung and Tina came to find freedom and their own paths. Though each of them has her own motivations and challenges, they all deal with language barriers, being a fish out of water, self discovery, love, and family.
2023 Asian/Pacific American Award Winner for Children's Literature
Maizy Chen's Last Chance by
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST * Twelve year-old Maizy discovers her family's Chinese restaurant is full of secrets in this irresistible novel that celebrates food, fortune, and family. Welcome to the Golden Palace! Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom's plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance and at the Golden Palace--the restaurant that's been in her family for generations--she makes some discoveries.For instance: You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food. People can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways. And the Golden Palace has secrets... But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing--and someone has left a racist note--Maizy decides it's time to find the answers. "This book is a gift." --Tae Keller, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger
2023 Asian/Pacific American Award Winner for Picture Books
From the Tops of the Trees by
"Father, is all of the world a refugee camp?" Young Kalia has never known life beyond the fences of the Ban Vinai Refugee Camp. The Thai camp holds many thousands of Hmong families who fled in the aftermath of the little-known Secret War in Laos that was waged during America's Vietnam War. For Kalia and her cousins, life isn't always easy, but they still find ways to play, racing with chickens and riding a beloved pet dog. Just four years old, Kalia is still figuring out her place in the world. When she asks what is beyond the fence, at first her father has no answers for her. But on the following day, he leads her to the tallest tree in the camp and, secure in her father's arms, Kalia sees the spread of a world beyond. Kao Kalia Yang's sensitive prose and Rachel Wada's evocative illustrations bring to life this tender true story of the love between a father and a daughter.
2023 Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book for Young Adult Literature
The Silence That Binds Us by
Joanna Ho, New York Times bestselling author of Eyes That Kiss in the Corners, has written an exquisite, heart-rending debut young adult novel that will inspire all to speak truth to power. Maybelline Chen isn't the Chinese Taiwanese American daughter her mother expects her to be. May prefers hoodies over dresses and wants to become a writer. When asked, her mom can't come up with one specific reason for why she's proud of her only daughter. May's beloved brother, Danny, on the other hand, has just been admitted to Princeton. But Danny secretly struggles with depression, and when he dies by suicide, May's world is shattered. In the aftermath, racist accusations are hurled against May's parents for putting too much "pressure" on him. May's father tells her to keep her head down. Instead, May challenges these ugly stereotypes through her writing. Yet the consequences of speaking out run much deeper than anyone could foresee. Who gets to tell our stories, and who gets silenced It's up to May to take back the narrative. Joanna Ho masterfully explores timely themes of mental health, racism, and classism. "An ornately carved window into the core of shared humanity. Read and re-read. Then read it again." --Nic Stone, New York Times bestselling author of Dear Martin "Powerful and piercing, filled with truth, love, and a heroine who takes back the narrative." --Abigail Hing Wen, New York Times bestselling author of Loveboat, Taipei "A held-breath of a novel that finds courage amidst brokenness, and holds a candle to the dark." --Stacey Lee, New York Times bestselling author of The Downstairs Girl "Ho confronts racism with care and nuance, capturing the complexities of grief and growth. A poignant call to action." --Randy Ribay, National Book Award finalist for Patron Saints of Nothing
2023 Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book for Children's Literature
Troublemaker by
An instant New York Times bestselller! An Indiebound bestseller! Troublemaker follows the events of the LA Riots through the eyes of 12-year-old Jordan as he navigates school and family. This book will highlight the unique Korean American perspective. 12-year-old Jordan feels like he can't live up to the example his older sister set, or his parent's expectations. When he returns home from school one day hoping to hide his suspension, Los Angeles has reached a turning point. In the wake of the acquittal of the police officers filmed beating Rodney King, as well as the shooting of a young black teen, Latasha Harlins by a Korean store owner, the country is at the precipice of confronting its racist past and present. As tensions escalate, Jordan's father leaves to check on the family store, spurring Jordan and his friends to embark on a dangerous journey to come to his aide, and come to terms with the racism within and affecting their community.
2023 Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book for Picture Books
Nana, Nenek and Nina by
Nina loves visiting her two faraway grandmas--one in Malaysia and one in England. Spot the similarities and differences between their homes in this cozy and beautifully illustrated picture book! Nina lives in San Francisco with her parents, and she loves visiting her two grandmas across the world. Follow Nina as her two trips unfold side by side: Young readers will love poring over the details of what is the same and what is different at Nana's home in England and at Nenek's home in Malaysia. In each place, Nina wears different clothes, plays different games, and eats different food. But so much about visiting Nana and Nenek is the same, from warm hugs at the airport to beach days and bedtime snuggles. Nina is equally at home across the world in Malaysia or England, and both of her grandmas love her to California and back. ***Three starred reviews!*** Shelf Awareness Best Children's & YA of 2022 selection *"Conveys differences and similarities bound together by love, and offers a joyful narrative of multicultural childhood."--Publishers Weekly, starred review
The National Council for the Social Studies established the Carter G. Woodson Book Awards for the most distinguished books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. First presented in 1974, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and race relations sensitively and accurately.” Carter G. Woodson was a distinguished African American historian and educator who wrote books for adults and young people. Dr. Woodson received his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. A list of previous winners and honorees can be found here.
2022 Elementary Level Winner
I Am an American by
An ALA Notable Book for Children Winner of the Woodson Award He challenged the Supreme Court on his right to be called citizen--and won When American-born Wong Kim Ark returns home to San Francisco after a visit to China, he's stopped and told he cannot enter: he isn't American. What happens next would forever change the national conversation on who is and isn't American. After being imprisoned on a ship for months, Wong Kim Ark takes his case to the Supreme Court and argues any person born in America is an American citizen. I am an American: The Wong Kim Ark Story is an important picture book that introduces young readers to the young man who challenged the Supreme Court for his right to be an American citizen and won, confirming birthright citizenship for all Americans.
2022 Elementary Level Honoree
Saving American Beach by
This heartfelt picture book biography illustrated by the Caldecott Honoree Ekua Holmes, tells the story of MaVynee Betsch, an African American opera singer turned environmentalist and the legacy she preserved. MaVynee loved going to the beach. But in the days of Jim Crow, she couldn't just go to any beach--most of the beaches in Jacksonville were for whites only. Knowing something must be done, her grandfather bought a beach that African American families could enjoy without being reminded they were second class citizens; he called it American Beach. Artists like Zora Neale Hurston and Ray Charles vacationed on its sunny shores. It's here that MaVynee was first inspired to sing, propelling her to later become a widely acclaimed opera singer who routinely performed on an international stage. But her first love would always be American Beach. After the Civil Rights Act desegregated public places, there was no longer a need for a place like American Beach and it slowly fell into disrepair. MaVynee remembered the importance of American Beach to her family and so many others, so determined to preserve this integral piece of American history, she began her second act as an activist and conservationist, ultimately saving the place that had always felt most like home.
2022 Middle Level Winner
Unspeakable by
Winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards for Author and Illustrator A Caldecott Honor Book A Sibert Honor Book Longlisted for the National Book Award A Kirkus Prize Finalist A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Book "A must-have"--Booklist (starred review) Celebrated author Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrator Floyd Cooper provide a powerful look at the Tulsa Race Massacre, one of the worst incidents of racial violence in our nation's history. The book traces the history of African Americans in Tulsa's Greenwood district and chronicles the devastation that occurred in 1921 when a white mob attacked the Black community. News of what happened was largely suppressed, and no official investigation occurred for seventy-five years. This picture book sensitively introduces young readers to this tragedy and concludes with a call for a better future. Download the free educator guide here: https://lernerbooks.com/download/unspeakableteachingguide
2022 Middle Level Honoree
Man Called Horse by
A daring account of Black Seminole warrior, chief, and diplomat John Horse and the route he forged on the Underground Railroad to gain freedom for his people John Horse (c. 1812-1882, also known as Juan Caballo) was a famed chief, warrior, tactician, and diplomat who played a dominant role in Black Seminole affairs for half a century. His story is central to that of the Black Seminoles--descendants of Seminole Indians, free Blacks, and escaped slaves who formed an alliance in Spanish Florida. A political and military leader of mixed Seminole and African heritage, Horse defended his people from the US government, other tribes, and slave hunters. A Man Called Horse focuses on the little-known life of Horse while also putting into historical perspective the larger story of Native Americans and especially Black Seminoles, helping to connect the missing "dots" in this period. After fighting during the Second Seminole War (1835-1842), one of the longest and most costly Native American conflicts in US history, Horse negotiated terms with the federal government and later became a guide and interpreter. Forced to relocate, he led a group of Black Seminoles to find a new home, first heading westward to Texas and later to Mexico. Turner worked with descendants of Horse, who provided oral histories as well as many photographs and other artifacts. Her expertly researched and vetted biography depicts Horse as a complex, fascinating figure who served in many varied roles, including as a counselor of fellow Seminole leaders, an agent of the US government, and a captain in the Mexican army. But no matter the part he played, one thing remained constant: whether in battle or at the negotiating table, Horse fought tirelessly to help his people survive. The story of John Horse is a tale of daring, intrigue, and the lifelong quest for freedom. The book includes black-and-white archival photos throughout (though the book is designed in full color), as well as a map, timeline, author's note, endnotes, and select bibliography.
2022 Secondary Level Winner
Race Against Time by
ALA Notable Book NCSS Carter G. Woodson Award, Secondary Level Winner NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book Finalist, Jane Addams Children's Book Award Junior Library Guild Selection Chicago Public Library Best Informational Book for Older Readers An Evanston Public Library 101 Great Books for Kids In this key civil rights and social justice book for young readers, Scipio Africanus Jones--a self-taught attorney who was born enslaved--leads a momentous series of court cases to save twelve Black men who'd been unjustly sentenced to death. In October 1919, a group of Black sharecroppers met at a church in an Arkansas village to organize a union. Bullets rained down on the meeting from outside. Many were killed by a white mob, and others were rounded up and arrested. Twelve of the sharecroppers were hastily tried and sentenced to death. Up stepped Scipio Africanus Jones, a self-taught lawyer who'd been born enslaved. Could he save the men's lives and set them free? Through their in-depth research and consultation with legal experts, award-winning nonfiction authors Sandra and Rich Wallace examine the complex proceedings and an unsung African American early civil rights hero.
2022 Secondary Level Honoree
We Are Not Broken by
New memoir from George M. Johnson, the New York Times bestselling author of All Boys Aren't Blue--a "deeply impactful" (Nic Stone), "striking and joyful" (Laurie Halse Anderson), and "stunning read" (Publishers Weekly, starred) that celebrates Black boyhood and brotherhood in all its glory. This is the vibrant story of George, Garrett, Rall, and Rasul -- four children raised by Nanny, their fiercely devoted grandmother. The boys hold one another close through early brushes with racism, memorable experiences at the family barbershop, and first loves and losses. And with Nanny at their center, they are never broken. George M. Johnson captures the unique experience of growing up as a Black boy in America through rich family stories that explore themes of vulnerability, sacrifice, and culture. Complete with touching letters from the grandchildren to their beloved matriarch and a full color photo insert, this heartwarming and heartbreaking memoir is destined to become a modern classic of emerging adulthood.
2023 Charlotte Huck Award Winner
Wayward Creatures by
"As a story about community, healing, and family--both human and animal--this is one of the best."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review. In this heartfelt animal friendship story, a troubled young boy befriends a wayward coyote after a forest fire changes both of their lives. Perfect for fans of A Wolf Called Wander and Pax. Twelve-year-old Gabe doesn't know where he belongs anymore. His family is caught up in their own lives and his friends barely have time for him now that they're stars on the soccer team. In a desperate plea for attention to impress his friends after school, Gabe sets off fireworks in the woods near his house and causes a small forest fire that destroys several acres of land. In the chaos of the destruction, a coyote named Rill--tired of her family and longing for adventure--finds herself far from home. Already on animal control's watch for wandering into a backyard and snapping at a child, Rill crawls into a cave, where she nurses her wounds alone. Gabe and Rill's paths irrevocably cross when Gabe is tasked with cleaning up the forest through the court's restorative justice program. The damage to the land and both their lives is beyond what the two can imagine. But together, they discover that sometimes it only takes one friend to find the place where you belong.
2023 Charlotte Huck Award Honor Books
My Brother Is Away by
In this moving picture book, a young girl reflects on the emotions and challenges of growing up with a brother who is incarcerated. This touching story is filled with vivid illustrations and is based on the author's childhood experiences. An NCTE Charlotte Huck Award Honor Book . NPR Best Book of the Year With her older brother in prison, a young girl copes with the confusing feelings his absence creates. At times she remembers the way her brother would carry her on his shoulders or how he would make up stories to tell her at bedtime. Other times she feels angry and wants to fly so far away that she can forget what happened. When her Mama and Daddy take her on the 500-mile journey to visit him, a trip she knows not all families are able to make, the girl is excited but also nervous. But the nerves turn to joy when she sees him-everything is different, but everything is the same too. Her brother is not home, but his love hasn't changed. With words that are spare, gentle, and reassuring, this picture book will help young readers with similar stories feel less alone and give other readers a window into the struggles some children face.
Love, Violet by
Perfect for Valentine's Day, Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild and Charlene Chua is a touching picture book about friendship and the courage it takes to share your feelings. A 2022 Lambda Literary Award Finalist Only one person makes Violet's heart skip Of all the kids in Violet's class, only one leaves her speechless: Mira, the girl with the cheery laugh who races like the wind. If only they could adventure together! But every time Violet tries to tell Mira how she feels, Violet goes shy. As Valentine's Day approaches, Violet is determined to tell Mira just how special she is. Charlene Chua's luminous watercolors bring to life this sweet and gentle picture book about friendship, love, and the courage it takes to share your heart.
Zara's Rules for Record-Breaking Fun by
From the beloved author of Amina's Voice comes the first book in a humor-filled middle grade series starring a young Muslim girl with an endless list of hobbies who searches for ways to maximize fun for her family and neighborhood friends. Meet Zara Saleem, the queen of the neighborhood. Zara's in charge of it all: she organizes the games, picks the teams, and makes sure everyone has a good time...and they always do. When a new family moves in across the street, suddenly Zara'​s reign is threatened by Naomi, who has big ideas of her own about how the neighborhood kids can have fun. To get everyone to notice her again, Zara decides she's going to break a Guinness World Record--if her little brother Zayd doesn't mess things up. But when she finds herself increasingly alone in her record-breaking quest, Zara starts to wonder if sharing the crown and making a new friend might end up being the best rule of all.
The Marvellers by
Dhonielle Clayton makes her middle-grade debut with a fantasy adventure set in a global magic school in the sky --an instant New York Times and #1 Indie Bestseller! "The Marvellers deserves the highest compliment I can give a book: I want to live in this world." --Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling-author Eleven-year-old Ella Durand is the first Conjuror to attend the Arcanum Training Institute, a magic school in the clouds where Marvellers from around the world practice their cultural arts, like brewing Indian spice elixirs and bartering with pesky Irish pixies. Despite her excitement, Ella discovers that being the first isn't easy--some Marvellers mistrust her magic, which they deem "bad and unnatural." But eventually, she finds friends in elixirs teacher, Masterji Thakur, and fellow misfits Brigit, a girl who hates magic, and Jason, a boy with a fondness for magical creatures. When a dangerous criminal known as the Ace of Anarchy escapes prison, supposedly with a Conjuror's aid, tensions grow in the Marvellian world and Ella becomes the target of suspicion. Worse, Masterji Thakur mysteriously disappears while away on a research trip. With the help of her friends and her own growing powers, Ella must find a way to clear her family's name and track down her mentor before it's too late. "A marvelous gift of a novel! With fantastical twists at every turn, Clayton has created a world that readers won't want to leave." --Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of The Hate U Give and Concrete Rose
Forever Cousins by 2023 Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Books
The Patron Thief of Bread by
A beautifully crafted middle-grade novel spiced with magic--and gargoyles!--from the acclaimed author of Hour of the Bees and Race to the Bottom of the Sea. Fished from the river as an infant and raised by a roving band of street urchins who call themselves the Crowns, eight-year-old Duck keeps her head down and her mouth shut. It's a rollicking life, always thieving, always on the run--until the ragtag Crowns infiltrate an abandoned cathedral in the city of Odierne and decide to set down roots. It's all part of the bold new plan hatched by the Crowns' fearless leader, Gnat: one of their very own will pose as an apprentice to the local baker, relieving Master Griselde of bread and coin to fill the bellies and line the pockets of all the Crowns. But no sooner is Duck apprenticed to the kindly Griselde than Duck's allegiances start to blur. Who is she really--a Crown or an apprentice baker? And who does she want to be? Meanwhile, high above the streets of Odierne, on the roof of the unfinished cathedral, an old and ugly gargoyle grows weary of waiting to fulfill his own destiny--to watch and protect. Told in alternating viewpoints, this exquisite novel evokes a timeless tale of love, self-discovery, and what it means to be rescued.
The Turtle of Michigan by
The stand-alone companion to National Book Award Finalist and beloved poet Naomi Shihab Nye's The Turtle of Oman. The Turtle of Michigan is a deft and accessible novel that follows a young boy named Aref as he travels from Muscat, Oman, to Ann Arbor, Michigan, and adjusts to a new life and a new school in the United States. A wonderful pick for young middle grade readers and fans of Other Words for Home and Billy Miller Makes a Wish. Aref is excited for his journey to reunite with his father in Ann Arbor, Michigan. Aref makes a friend on an airplane, wonders what Michigan will be like, and starts school in the United States. While he does miss his grandfather, his Sidi, Aref knows that his home in Oman will always be waiting for him. Award-winning author Naomi Shihab Nye's highly anticipated sequel to The Turtle of Oman explores immigration, family, and what it means to feel at home. Carrying a suitcase and memories of Oman, Aref experiences the excitement and nervousness that accompany moving to a new home. The Turtle of Michigan is a great choice for reading aloud and a must-have for younger middle grade readers. Illustrated in black-and-white throughout.
Growing Pangs by
NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR Introducing an irresistibly relatable graphic novel about friendship and growing up, "an excellent companion to Raina Telgemeier's Guts and Shannon Hale and LeUyen Pham's Real Friends series."--Booklist, Starred Review New Friends. New grade. New worries? Katie's always felt different. She's homeschooled, she has freckles, and her teeth are really crooked. But none of these things matter to Kacey. They're best friends forever--just like their necklaces say. But when they go to summer camp, Kacey starts acting weird. What happened to the "forever"? And when Katie gets home, she can't stop worrying. About getting braces. About 6th grade. About friends. She knows tapping three times or opening and closing a drawer won't make everything better . . . but sometimes it helps stop the worrying. Is something wrong with her?
My Hands Tell a Story by
A little girl, baking bread with her grandmother, becomes transported by the tales her grandmother's hands tell--those that spring from the rose-painted nails, a flower-banded wedding ring, and the way her fingers move and glide. These hands have many tales to tell. But only if you listen.
The Notebook Keeper by
Based on true events, this inspiring story follows a mama and her daughter who are denied entry at the U.S. border, and must find the refugee in charge of "the notebook," an unofficial ledger of those waiting to cross into the U.S. Before, the sun drenched the yard. Our neighbor's laughter danced in the streets. Now, the streets are quiet. Papa is gone, and we are no longer safe here. We are leaving, too. In this moving and stunningly-illustrated picture book, Noemi and Mama flee their home in Mexico, and head for the US border. There, they look for "The Notebook Keeper"-- the person in charge of a ledger for those waiting to cross, and they add their names to the book. As the days turn into weeks, and hope dwindles, the little girl looks for kindness around her-- and inside herself. One day, when the Notebook Keeper's own name is called to cross, Noemi and her Mama are chosen--for the generosity in their hearts-- to take her place.
Big Bear and Little Fish by
At the carnival, Bear wants a teddy bear. And not just any teddy bear--she wants the biggest one of all. But instead she gets a fish. A very small fish. Bear is so very big and Fish is so very small that Bear worries they have nothing in common. Can they possibly be friends? Gentle, accessible prose by Sandra Nickel is paired with richly textured illustrations by Il Sung Na in this sweet story of unexpected friendship.
Wildoak by
When the fates of a snow leopard, a child, and an ancient forest collide, the unimaginable can happen. Perfect for fans of Pax and The One and Only Ivan. * "Nuanced and empowering." - Publisher's Weekly, starred review * "Memorably atmospheric." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Immersive." - The Horn Book Maggie Stephens's stutter makes school especially hard. She will do almost anything to avoid speaking in class or calling attention to herself. So when her unsympathetic father threatens to send her away for so-called "treatment," she reluctantly agrees to her mother's intervention plan: a few weeks in the fresh air of Wildoak Forest, visiting a grandfather she hardly knows. It is there, in an extraordinary twist of fate, that she encounters an abandoned snow leopard cub, an exotic gift to a wealthy Londoner that proved too wild to domesticate. But once the cub's presence is discovered by others, danger follows, and Maggie soon realizes that time is running out, not only for the leopard, but for herself and the forest as well. ​Told in alternating voices, Wildoak shimmers with beauty, compassion, and unforgettable storytelling as it explores the delicate interconnectedness of the human, animal, and natural worlds.
Gibberish by
It's Dat's first day of school in a new country! Dat and his Mah made a long journey to get here, and Dat doesn't know the language. To Dat, everything everybody says -- from the school bus driver to his new classmates -- sounds like gibberish. How is Dat going to make new friends if they can't understand each other? Luckily there's a friendly girl in Dat's class who knows that there are other ways to communicate, besides just talking. Could she help make sense of the gibberish?
The Children's Literature Legacy Award is presented to a U.S. author or illustrator whose body of work is deemed to have made a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. Since 2001 it has been presented every two years. A complete list of winners can be found here.
The 2023 winner is James E. Ransome. His award-winning works include "Uncle Jed's Barbershop," which won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Award, 1994 and "The Creation," recipient of the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, 1995. In addition, Ransome has received the IBBY Honor Award for "The Creation," and the NAACP Image Award for "Let My People Go."
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Coretta Scott King Medal Winner - Author
Freewater by
Debut author Amina Luqman-Dawson pens a lyrical, accessible historical middle-grade novel about two enslaved children's escape from a plantation and the many ways they find freedom. Under the cover of night, twelve-year-old Homer flees Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, unwillingly leaving their beloved mother behind. Much as he adores her and fears for her life, Homer knows there's no turning back, not with the overseer on their trail. Through tangled vines, secret doorways, and over a sky bridge, the two find a secret community called Freewater, deep in the swamp. In this society created by formerly enslaved people and some freeborn children, Homer finds new friends, almost forgetting where he came from. But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he crafts a plan to find his mother and help his new home. Deeply inspiring and loosely based on the history of maroon communities in the South, this is a striking tale of survival, adventure, friendship, and courage.
2023 Coretta Scott King Medal Winner - Illustrator
Standing in the Need of Prayer by
From an award-winning author and critically acclaimed artist comes a stunning and deeply moving picture book based on the popular spiritual. The classic lyrics have been reworked to chronicle the milestones, struggles, tragedies, and triumphs of African American history. A perfect gift or timeless keepsake! ★ "Gorgeous and enlightening."--Kirkus Reviews, starred review This inspirational book encapsulates African American history and invites conversations at all levels. Carole Boston Weatherford's riveting text and Frank Morrison's evocative and detailed paintings are informative reminders of yesterday, hopeful images for today, and aspirational dreams of tomorrow. Stretching more than four hundred years, this book features pivotal moments in history, such as the arrival of enslaved people in Jamestown, Virginia, in 1619; Nat Turner's rebellion; the integration of the US military; the Selma to Montgomery marches; and peaceful present-day protests. It also celebrates the feats of African American musicians and athletes, such as Duke Ellington and Florence Griffith Joyner. Visually stunning and incredibly timely, this book reckons with a painful history while serving as a testament to the human spirit's ability to persevere in even the most hopeless of circumstances. Its universal message of faith, strength, and resilience will resonate with readers of all ages. The end of the book includes descriptions of the people, places, and events featured, along with a note from the author.
We Deserve Monuments by
"An absolute must read." --Buzzfeed "A gripping portrayal of the South's inherent racism and a love story for queer Black girls." --Teen Vogue Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery collide in We Deserve Monuments, a YA debut from Jas Hammonds that explores how racial violence can ripple down through generations. What's more important: Knowing the truth or keeping the peace? Seventeen-year-old Avery Anderson is convinced her senior year is ruined when she's uprooted from her life in DC and forced into the hostile home of her terminally ill grandmother, Mama Letty. The tension between Avery's mom and Mama Letty makes for a frosty arrival and unearths past drama they refuse to talk about. Every time Avery tries to look deeper, she's turned away, leaving her desperate to learn the secrets that split her family in two. While tempers flare in her avoidant family, Avery finds friendship in unexpected places: in Simone Cole, her captivating next-door neighbor, and Jade Oliver, daughter of the town's most prominent family--whose mother's murder remains unsolved. As the three girls grow closer--Avery and Simone's friendship blossoming into romance--the sharp-edged opinions of their small southern town begin to hint at something insidious underneath. The racist history of Bardell, Georgia is rooted in Avery's family in ways she can't even imagine. With Mama Letty's health dwindling every day, Avery must decide if digging for the truth is worth toppling the delicate relationships she's built in Bardell--or if some things are better left buried. A School Library Journal Best Book of 2022
Choosing Brave by
A Caldecott-honor winning picture book biography of the mother of Emmett Till, and how she channeled grief over her son's death into a call to action for the civil rights movement. Mamie Till-Mobley is the mother of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was brutally murdered while visiting the South in 1955. His death became a rallying point for the civil rights movement, but few know that it was his mother who was the catalyst for bringing his name to the forefront of history. In Choosing Brave, Angela Joy and Janelle Washington offer a testament to the power of love, the bond of motherhood, and one woman's unwavering advocacy for justice. It is a poised, moving work about a woman who refocused her unimaginable grief into action for the greater good. Mamie fearlessly refused to allow America to turn away from what happened to her only child. She turned pain into change that ensured her son's life mattered. Timely, powerful, and beautifully told, this thorough and moving story has been masterfully crafted to be both comprehensive and suitable for younger readers.
Star Child by
A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book A Walter Dean Myers Honor Book From the New York Times bestselling author and National Book Award finalist, a biography in verse and prose of science fiction visionary Octavia Butler, author of Parable of the Sower and Kindred. Acclaimed novelist Ibi Zoboi illuminates the young life of the visionary storyteller Octavia E. Butler in poems and prose. Born into the Space Race, the Red Scare, and the dawning Civil Rights Movement, Butler experienced an American childhood that shaped her into the groundbreaking science-fiction storyteller whose novels continue to challenge and delight readers fifteen years after her death.
The Talk by
A Coretta Scott King Author Honor winner! As a little boy grows into a bigger boy, ready to take on the world, he first must have that very difficult conversation far too familiar to so many Black and Brown Americans in this gentle and ultimately hopeful picture book. Jay's most favorite things are hanging out with his pals, getting kisses from Grandma, riding in his dad's cool car, and getting measured by his mom with pencil marks on the wall. But as those height marks inch upward, Grandpa warns Jay about being in too big a group with his friends, Grandma worries others won't see him as quite so cute now that he's older, and Dad has to tell Jay how to act if the police ever pull them over. And Jay just wants to be a kid. All Black and Brown kids get The Talk--the talk that could mean the difference between life and death in a racist world. Told in an age-appropriate fashion, with a perfect pause for parents to insert their own discussions with their children to accompany prompting illustrations, The Talk is a gently honest and sensitive starting point for this far-too-necessary conversation, for Black children, Brown children, and for ALL children. Because you can't make change without knowing what needs changing.
Victory. Stand! by
On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. Both men were forced to leave the Olympics, received death threats, and faced ostracism and continuing economic hardships. In his first-ever memoir for young readers, Tommie Smith looks back on his childhood growing up in rural Texas through to his stellar athletic career, culminating in his historic victory and Olympic podium protest. Cowritten with Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Honor recipient Derrick Barnes and illustrated with bold and muscular artwork from Emmy Award-winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile, Victory. Stand! paints a stirring portrait of an iconic moment in Olympic history that still resonates today.
Me and the Boss by
All the highs and lows of having a bossy, protective, and loving older sibling are depicted in this heartwarming picture book by a critically acclaimed author and award-winning illustrator. Meet Lee, a little boy who won't give up until he learns how to sew, and Zora, the sister who watches him try--and ultimately succeed! "I know big sisters. Zora, the boss, she's mine," explains Lee as he and Zora head to the library, where Mrs. C is teaching the children how to sew. Though Zora sews a beautiful flower on her cloth square, little Lee makes a mess out of the half-moon he is trying to stitch. That night, when he can't sleep, he gives sewing another try...and succeeds, even mending the hole in his pants pocket! The next morning, he sneaks into Zora's room and sews the ear back on Bess, her stuffed bear. When Zora discovers Bess, she wraps Lee in her special big sister hug--for just a moment--and then is back to being the boss once again. An acclaimed author and a Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award-winning illustrator create a funny, oh-so-true portrait of a brother and sister's relationship in this winning picture book.
Swim Team by
"Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!" JERRY CRAFT, author of the Newbery Medal-winning New Kid A splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas! Bree can't wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees--until she's stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she's forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help. With Etta's training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school's failing team around. But that's easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake. Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap--for good Praise for SWIM TEAM: "A revelation! You'll root for Swim Team--the water is just right." --JOHN JENNINGS, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning creator "Swim Team is a beautiful story about trying new things. Johnnie Christmas is a fantastic storyteller and artist." --KAZU KIBUISHI, author of Amulet "Full of charm, heart, and pulse-pounding races. A winner!" --GENE LUEN YANG, author of American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops
Victory. Stand! by
On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. Both men were forced to leave the Olympics, received death threats, and faced ostracism and continuing economic hardships. In his first-ever memoir for young readers, Tommie Smith looks back on his childhood growing up in rural Texas through to his stellar athletic career, culminating in his historic victory and Olympic podium protest. Cowritten with Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Honor recipient Derrick Barnes and illustrated with bold and muscular artwork from Emmy Award-winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile, Victory. Stand! paints a stirring portrait of an iconic moment in Olympic history that still resonates today.
NCTE established the Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 1977 to honor a living American poet for their aggregate work for children ages 3-13. NCTE also recognizes and fosters excellence in children’s poetry by encouraging its publication and by exploring ways to acquaint teachers and children with poetry through such means as publications, programs, and displays.
Each year, the committee also produces a Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels list.
YALSA's Award for Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18) during a Nov. 1 – Oct. 31 publishing year. One winner and four honor books are named in January. A list of winners and honor books from previous years can be found here.
2023 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Winner
Victory. Stand! by
On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. Both men were forced to leave the Olympics, received death threats, and faced ostracism and continuing economic hardships. In his first-ever memoir for young readers, Tommie Smith looks back on his childhood growing up in rural Texas through to his stellar athletic career, culminating in his historic victory and Olympic podium protest. Cowritten with Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Honor recipient Derrick Barnes and illustrated with bold and muscular artwork from Emmy Award-winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile, Victory. Stand! paints a stirring portrait of an iconic moment in Olympic history that still resonates today.
2023 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Finalists
Abuela, Don't Forget Me by
In his award-winning memoir Free Lunch, Rex Ogle's abuela features as a source of love and support. In this companion-in-verse, Rex captures and celebrates the powerful presence a woman he could always count on--to give him warm hugs and ear kisses, to teach him precious words in Spanish, to bring him to the library where he could take out as many books as he wanted, and to offer safety when darkness closed in. Throughout a coming of age marked by violence and dysfunction, Abuela's red-brick house in Abilene, Texas, offered Rex the possibility of home, and Abuela herself the possibility for a better life. Abuela, Don't Forget Me is a lyrical portrait of the transformative and towering woman who believed in Rex even when he didn't yet know how to believe in himself.
American Murderer by
Included on NPR's 2022 "Books We Love" List What made workers in the American South so tired and feeble during the 19th and early 20th centuries? This exciting medical mystery uncovers the secrets of the parasite hookworm, commonly known as the "American Murderer," and is the latest title in Gail Jarrow's (YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults award-winning author) Medical Fiascoes series. Imagine microscopic worms living in the soil. They enter your body through your bare feet, travel to your intestines, and stay there for years sucking your blood like vampires. You feel exhausted. You get sick easily. It sounds like a nightmare, but that's what happened in the American South during the 1800s and early 1900s. Doctors never guessed that hookworms were making patients ill, but zoologist Charles Stiles knew better. Working with one of the first public health organizations, he and his colleagues treated the sick and showed Southerners how to protect themselves by wearing shoes and using outhouses so that the worms didn't spread. Although hookworm was eventually controlled in the US, the parasite remains a serious health problem throughout the world. The topic of this STEM book remains relevant and will fascinate readers interested in medicine, science, history--and gross stories about bloodsucking creatures.
A Face for Picasso by
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book for Teens "Raw and unflinching . . . A must-read!" --Marieke Nijkamp, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of This Is Where It Ends "[It] cuts to the heart of our bogus ideas of beauty." -Scott Westerfeld, #1 New York Times-bestselling author of Uglies I am ugly. There's a mathematical equation to prove it. At only eight months old, identical twin sisters Ariel and Zan were diagnosed with Crouzon syndrome -- a rare condition where the bones in the head fuse prematurely. They were the first twins known to survive it. Growing up, Ariel and her sister endured numerous appearance-altering procedures. Surgeons would break the bones in their heads and faces to make room for their growing organs. While the physical aspect of their condition was painful, it was nothing compared to the emotional toll of navigating life with a facial disfigurement. Ariel explores beauty and identity in her young-adult memoir about resilience, sisterhood, and the strength it takes to put your life, and yourself, back together time and time again.
Unequal by
New York Times bestselling author Michael Eric Dyson and critically acclaimed author Marc Favreau show how racial inequality permeates every facet of American society, through the lens of those pushing for meaningful change The true story of racial inequality--and resistance to it--is the prologue to our present. You can see it in where we live, where we go to school, where we work, in our laws, and in our leadership. Unequal presents a gripping account of the struggles that shaped America and the insidiousness of racism, and demonstrates how inequality persists. As readers meet some of the many African American people who dared to fight for a more equal future, they will also discover a framework for addressing racial injustice in their own lives.
2022 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Non-Finalist Nominees
Singled Out by
*"[An] excellent exercise in narrative nonfiction." --Booklist (starred review) From New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss comes the remarkable true story of Glenn Burke, a "hidden figure" in the history of sports: the inventor of the high five and the first openly gay MLB player. Perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin and Daniel James Brown. On October 2nd, 1977, Glenn Burke, outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers, made history without even swinging a bat. When his teammate Dusty Baker hit a historic home run, Glenn enthusiastically congratulated him with the first ever high five. But Glenn also made history in another way--he was the first openly gay MLB player. While he did not come out publicly until after his playing days were over, Glenn's sexuality was known to his teammates, family, and friends. His MLB career would be cut short after only three years, but his legacy and impact on the athletic and LGBTQIA+ community would resonate for years to come. New York Times bestselling author Andrew Maraniss tells the story of Glenn Burke: from his childhood growing up in Oakland, his journey to the MLB and the World Series, the joy in discovering who he really was, to more difficult times: facing injury, addiction, and the AIDS epidemic. Packed with black-and-white photographs and thoroughly researched, never-before-seen details about Glenn's life, Singled Out is the fascinating story of a trailblazer in sports--and the history and culture that shaped the world around him. Praise for Singled Out: "A compelling narrative . . . This is a meticulously researched history of the ways queer culture in the '70s intersected with baseball, Blackness, and larger culture wars, with one man at their center." --Kirkus Reviews
Meltdown: Earthquake, Tsunami, and Nuclear Disaster in Fukushima by
On March 11, 2011, the largest earthquake ever measured in Japan occurred off the northeast coast. It triggered a tsunami with a wall of water 128 feet high. The tsunami damaged the nuclear power plant in Fukushima triggering the nightmare scenario--a nuclear meltdown. For six days, employees at the plant worked to contain the meltdown and disaster workers scoured the surrounding flooded area for survivors.Deirdre Langeland explores the harrowing story of the deadly earthquake, tsunami, and nuclear meltdown that caused the 2011 Fukushima power plant disaster, examining the science behind such a massive disaster and looking back at the people who experienced an unprecedented trifecta of destruction.
In the Shadow of the Moon by
An exhilarating dive into the secret history of humankind's race to the moon, from acclaimed author Amy Cherrix. This fascinating and immersive read is perfect for fans of Steve Sheinkin's Bomb and M. T. Anderson's Symphony for the City of the Dead. You've heard of the space race, but do you know the whole story? The most ambitious race humankind has ever undertaken was masterminded in the shadows by two engineers on opposite sides of the Cold War--Wernher von Braun, a former Nazi officer living in the US, and Sergei Korolev, a Russian rocket designer once jailed for crimes against his country--and your textbooks probably never told you. Von Braun became an American hero, recognized the world over, while Korolev toiled in obscurity. These two brilliant rocketeers never met, but together they shaped the science of spaceflight and redefined modern warfare. From Stalin's brutal Gulag prisons and Hitler's concentration camps to Cape Canaveral and beyond, their simultaneous quests pushed science--and human ingenuity--to the breaking point. From Amy Cherrix comes the extraordinary hidden story of the space race and the bitter rivalry that launched humankind to the moon.
Punching Bag by
Punching Bag is the compelling true story of a high school career defined by poverty and punctuated by outbreaks of domestic abuse. Rex Ogle, who brilliantly mapped his experience of hunger in Free Lunch, here describes his struggle to survive; reflects on his complex, often paradoxical relationship with his passionate, fierce mother; and charts the trajectory of his stepdad's anger. Hovering over Rex's story is the talismanic presence of his unborn baby sister. Through it all, Rex threads moments of grace and humor that act as beacons of light in the darkness. Compulsively readable, beautifully crafted, and authentically told, Punching Bag is a remarkable memoir about one teenager's cycle of violence, blame, and attempts to forgive his parents?and himself.
Call and Response by
Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter is a broad and powerful exploration of the history of Black Lives Matter told through photographs, quotes, and informative text by New York Times best-selling authors Veronica Chambers and Jennifer Harlan. In 2020, the world watched history being made in the streets of America. The rallying cry of Black Lives Matter captured global attention and spurred thousands of people of all ages, races, genders, and backgrounds to stand up for major progressive social reform. The widespread protests, rooted in the call-and-response tradition of the Black community, were fueled by a growing understanding for many that systemic racism undermines the very nature of democracy. But where did this movement begin? And why, after years of work by everyday people, did the world finally begin to take notice? Call and Response: The Story of Black Lives Matter covers the rise of Black Lives Matter and how it has been shaped by U.S. history. From the founders of the movement--Alicia Garza, Patrisse Cullors, and Opal Tometi--to the watershed moments that challenged people to take action, this book tells the story of how a hashtag became a movement. It follows the activists and organizers on their journeys, examines some of the ways that protest has been fundamental to American history, and shows how marches, rallies, and demonstrations can be vital tools for making meaningful change. In this essential history, New York Times editors Veronica Chambers and Jennifer Harlan explore Black Lives Matter through striking photographs, in-depth reporting, stunning visual timelines and graphics, and compelling quotes. Call and Response is perfect for young readers who need an introduction to this impactful movement--and for any reader looking for concrete information on this timely topic.
Separate No More: the Long Road to Brown V. Board of Education (Scholastic Focus) by
Critically acclaimed author Lawrence Goldstone offers an affecting portrait of the road to the landmark Brown v. Board of Education case, which significantly shaped the United States and effectively ended segregation. Since 1896, in the landmark outcome of Plessy v. Ferguson, the doctrine of "separate but equal" had been considered acceptable under the United States Constitution. African American and white populations were thus segregated, attending different schools, living in different neighborhoods, and even drinking from different water fountains. However, as African Americans found themselves lacking opportunity and living under the constant menace of mob violence, it was becoming increasingly apparent that segregation was not only unjust, but dangerous. Fighting to turn the tide against racial oppression, revolutionaries rose up all over America, from Booker T. Washington to W. E. B. Du Bois. They formed coalitions of some of the greatest legal minds and activists, who carefully strategized how to combat the racist judicial system. These efforts would be rewarded in the groundbreaking cases of 1952-1954 known collectively as Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka, in which the US Supreme Court would decide, once and for all, the legality of segregation -- and on which side of history the United States would stand. In this thrilling examination of the path to Brown v. Board of Education, Constitutional law scholar Lawrence Goldstone highlights the key trials and players in the fight for integration. Written with a deft hand, this story of social justice will remind readers, young and old, of the momentousness of the segregation hearings.
Everything You Wanted to Know about Indians but Were Afraid to Ask by
From the acclaimed Ojibwe author and professor Anton Treuer comes an essential book of questions and answers for Native and non-Native young readers alike. Ranging from "Why is there such a fuss about nonnative people wearing Indian costumes for Halloween?" to "Why is it called a 'traditional Indian fry bread taco'?" to "What's it like for natives who don't look native?" to "Why are Indians so often imagined rather than understood?", and beyond, Everything You Wanted to Know About Indians But Were Afraid to Ask (Young Readers Edition) does exactly what its title says for young readers, in a style consistently thoughtful, personal, and engaging. Updated and expanded to include: * Dozens of New Questions and New Sections--including a social activism section that explores the Dakota Access Pipeline, racism, identity, politics, and more! * Over 50 new Photos * Adapted text for broad appeal
Run by
First you march, then you run. From the #1 bestselling, award-winning team behind March comes the first book in their new, groundbreaking graphic novel series, Run: Book One "Run recounts the lost history of what too often follows dramatic change-the pushback of those who refuse it and the resistance of those who believe change has not gone far enough. John Lewis's story has always been a complicated narrative of bravery, loss, and redemption, and Run gives vivid, energetic voice to a chapter of transformation in his young, already extraordinary life." -Stacey Abrams "In sharing my story, it is my hope that a new generation will be inspired by Run to actively participate in the democratic process and help build a more perfect Union here in America." -Congressman John Lewis The sequel to the #1 New York Times bestselling graphic novel series March-the continuation of the life story of John Lewis and the struggles seen across the United States after the Selma voting rights campaign. To John Lewis, the civil rights movement came to an end with the signing of the Voting Rights Act in 1965. But that was after more than five years as one of the preeminent figures of the movement, leading sit-in protests and fighting segregation on interstate busways as an original Freedom Rider. It was after becoming chairman of SNCC (the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee) and being the youngest speaker at the March on Washington. It was after helping organize the Mississippi Freedom Summer and the ensuing delegate challenge at the 1964 Democratic National Convention. And after coleading the march from Selma to Montgomery on what became known as "Bloody Sunday." All too often, the depiction of history ends with a great victory. But John Lewis knew that victories are just the beginning. In Run: Book One, John Lewis and longtime collaborator Andrew Aydin reteam with Nate Powell-the award-winning illustrator of the March trilogy-and are joined by L. Fury-making an astonishing graphic novel debut-to tell this often overlooked chapter of civil rights history.
The Burning (Young Readers Edition) by
In 1921, a white mob murdered hundreds of citizens and decimated the thriving Black community of Greenwood in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With chilling details, humanity, and the narrative thrust of compelling fiction, The Burning recreates the town of Greenwood at the height of its prosperity, explores the currents of hatred, racism, and mistrust between its Black residents and neighboring Tulsa's white population, narrates events leading up to and including Greenwood's annihilation, and documents the subsequent silence that surrounded this great tragedy. Delving into history that's long been pushed aside, much like Hidden Figures, In the Shadow of Liberty, and Claudette Colvin, this is the true story of Black Wall Street and the Tulsa Race Massacre, adapted for young readers.
When Can We Go Back to America? by
In this dramatic and page-turning narrative history of Japanese Americans before, during, and after their World War II incarceration, Susan H. Kamei weaves the voices of over 130 individuals who lived through this tragic episode, most of them as young adults. It's difficult to believe it happened here, in the Land of the Free: After the bombing of Pearl Harbor in 1941, the United States government forcibly removed more than 120,000 persons of Japanese ancestry from the Pacific Coast and imprisoned them in desolate detention camps until the end of World War II just because of their race. In what Secretary Norman Y. Mineta describes as a "landmark book," he and others who lived through this harrowing experience tell the story of their incarceration and the long-term impact of this dark period in American history. For the first time, why and how these tragic events took place are interwoven with more than 130 individual voices of those who were unconstitutionally incarcerated, many of them children and young adults. Now more than ever, their words will resonate with readers who are confronting questions about racial identity, immigration, and citizenship, and what it means to be an American.
The Curse of the Mummy: Uncovering Tutankhamun's Tomb (Scholastic Focus) by
Award-winning and critically acclaimed author Candace Fleming presents the edge-of-your-seat true story of the search for Tutankhamun's tomb, the Western public's belief that the dig was cursed, and the battle for ownership of the treasures within. During the reign of the New Kingdom of Egypt, the boy pharaoh Tutankhamun ruled and died tragically young. In order to send him on his way into the afterlife, his tomb was filled with every treasure he would need after death. And then, it was lost to time, buried in the sands of the Valley of the Kings. His tomb was also said to be cursed. Centuries later, as Egypt-mania gripped Europe, two Brits -- a rich earl with a habit for gambling and a disreputable, determined archeologist -- worked for years to rediscover and open Tutankhamun's tomb. But once it was uncovered, would ancient powers take their revenge for disturbing and even looting the pharaoh's resting place? What else could explain the mysterious illnesses, accidents, and deaths that began once it was found?
The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people. A list of titles for each year can be found here.
2023 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winners
Choosing Brave by
A picture book biography of the mother of Emmett Till, and how she channeled grief over her son's death into a call to action for the civil rights movement. Mamie Till-Mobley is the mother of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was brutally murdered while visiting the South in 1955. His death became a rallying point for the civil rights movement, but few know that it was his mother who was the catalyst for bringing his name to the forefront of history. In Choosing Brave, Angela Joy and Janelle Washington offer a testament to the power of love, the bond of motherhood, and one woman's unwavering advocacy for justice. It is a poised, moving work about a woman who refocused her unimaginable grief into action for the greater good. Mamie fearlessly refused to allow America to turn away from what happened to her only child. She turned pain into change that ensured her son's life mattered. Timely, powerful, and beautifully told, this thorough and moving story has been masterfully crafted to be both comprehensive and suitable for younger readers.
Undercover Latina by
A Latina teen spy goes undercover as a white girl to stop a white supremacist terrorist plot in a fast-paced middle-grade debut from a seasoned author of contemporary crime fiction. In her debut for younger readers, Aya de León pits a teen spy against the ominous workings of a white nationalist. Fourteen-year-old Andréa Hernández-Baldoquín hails from a family of spies working for the Factory, an international organization dedicated to protecting people of color. For her first solo mission, Andréa straightens her hair and goes undercover as Andrea Burke, a white girl, to befriend the estranged son of a dangerous white supremacist. In addition to her Factory training, the assignment calls for a deep dive into the son's interests--comic books and gaming--all while taking care not to speak Spanish and blow her family's cover. But it's hard to hide who you really are, especially when you develop a crush on your target's Latino best friend. Can Andréa keep her head, her geek cred, and her code-switching on track to trap a terrorist? Smart, entertaining, and politically astute, this is fast-paced upper-middle-grade fare from an established author of heist and espionage novels for adults.
2022 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor Titles
Ida B. Wells, Voice of Truth by
Ida B. Wells was an educator, journalist, feminist, businesswoman, newspaper owner, public speaker, suffragist, civil rights activist, and women's club leader. She was a founder of the NAACP, the National Association of Colored Women, the Alpha Suffrage Club, and the Negro Fellowship League. Born in 1862, Ida challenged the racist and sexist norms of the late nineteenth and early twenthieth centuries through her writing and speaking. Faced with criticism and threats to her life, she never gave up. Long overlooked, Ida's life and work shine in this picture book, timed for the 160th anniversary of her birth. This extraordinary true story is told by her great-granddaughter, Michelle Duster, who has been recognized for her activism and fight for contemporary racial justice, and is beautifully brought to life by Coretta Scott King Award Honoree artist Laura Freeman.
Sanctuary: Kip Tiernan and Rosie's Place, the Nation's First Shelter for Women by
Before Kip Tiernan came along, the US had no shelters for women. Here is the inspirational story of a singular woman and what her vision and compassion have brought to life. "Justice is not three hots and a cot. Justice is having your own key." --Kip Tiernan When Kip Tiernan was growing up during the Great Depression, she'd help her granny feed the men who came to their door asking for help. As Kip grew older, and as she continued to serve food to hungry people, she noticed something peculiar: huddled at the back of serving lines were women dressed as men. At the time, it was believed that there were no women experiencing homelessness. And yet Kip would see women sleeping on park benches and searching for food in trash cans. Kip decided to open the first shelter for women--a shelter with no questions asked, no required chores, just good meals and warm beds. With persistence, Kip took on the city of Boston in her quest to open Rosie's Place, our nation's first shelter for women. Christine McDonnell, a former educator at Rosie's Place, and illustrator Victoria Tentler-Krylov bring warmth to Kip Tiernan's story of humanity and tenacity, showing readers how one person's dream can make a huge difference, and small acts of kindness can lead to great things.
Yonder by
From Ali Standish, award-winning author of The Ethan I Was Before, August Isle, How to Disappear Completely, and The Mending Summer, comes a captivating historical fiction middle grade novel about a boy on the home front in World War II who must solve the mystery of the disappearance of his best friend. Perfect for fans of Alan Gratz and Lauren Wolk, this riveting adventure explores what true heroism means. "Multilayered, moving, and tremendously powerful." --Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Standish's uplifting mystery tackles big themes of abuse, bullying, heroism, mental health, and prejudice."--Publishers Weekly (starred review) "A heartfelt tale about what it means to be a hero and take a stand against injustice."--Booklist (starred review) Danny Timmons has looked up to Jack Bailey ever since Jack saved two small children from drowning during the Great Flood of 1940. Now, with his father away fighting in World War II and his mother about to have a new baby, Danny relies on Jack's friendship and guidance more than ever. So when Jack goes missing without a trace from their small Appalachian town, Danny is determined to find him. He wonders if Jack's abusive father could be behind his disappearance, or if it has anything to do with Yonder--a hidden magical town Jack once spoke of, where flocks of rainbow birds fly through the sky and they've never heard of war. As answers elude him, Danny begins to fear that he didn't know Jack as well as he thought. Ultimately, Danny's investigation forces him to reckon with even larger questions: What is America fighting for in this war? What role do each of us play in stopping injustices, big and small? And is there such thing as a true hero? A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection "Both timely and historical. An exploration of what it means to be brave and do good." --Tae Keller, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger "A thoughtful, eloquent, and honest examination of prejudice, loyalty, and what it means to be brave." --Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee and Ground Zero "A beautiful and important novel that explores what it means to be a hero and the role of each of us to stand up for what's right." --Karina Yan Glaser, New York Times bestselling author of The Vanderbeekers series
Swim Team by
"Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!" JERRY CRAFT, author of the Newbery Medal-winning New Kid A splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas! Bree can't wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees--until she's stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she's forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help. With Etta's training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school's failing team around. But that's easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake. Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap--for good? Praise for SWIM TEAM: Harvey Award Best Children's or Young Adult Book Nominee "A revelation! You'll root for Swim Team--the water is just right." --JOHN JENNINGS, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning creator "Swim Team is a beautiful story about trying new things. Johnnie Christmas is a fantastic storyteller and artist." --KAZU KIBUISHI, author of Amulet "Full of charm, heart, and pulse-pounding races. A winner!" --GENE LUEN YANG, author of American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops
2022 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalists
Ambitious Girl by
INSTANT #1 NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! INSTANT #1 INDIEBOUND BESTSELLER! Anyone who's ever been underestimated or overshadowed will find inspiration in this empowering new picture book from Meena Harris, New York Times-bestselling author of Kamala and Maya's Big Idea. When a young girl sees a strong woman on TV labeled as "too assertive" and "too ambitious," it sends her on a journey of discovery through past, present, and future about the challenges faced by women and girls and the ways in which they can reframe, redefine, and reclaim words meant to knock them down. As Ambitious Girl says: No "too that" or "too this" will stop what's inside us from flowering.
Be Strong by
A picture book about finding strength in unlikely places from the team behind the hugely popular New York Times bestseller Be Kind.When her gym class must face the school rock-climbing wall, Tanisha is discouraged. Her muscles are weak, and she knows she'll never reach the top like Cayla.But maybe strength is about more than just muscles.With help from her family, Tanisha learns that by showing up, speaking up, and not giving up, she can be strong, too. And that people are the strongest when they work together and trust each other.Award-winning author Pat Zietlow Miller has reunited with illustrator Jen Hill for Be Strong, another unforgettable story sure to inspire kids and adults alike.
The Highest Tribute: Thurgood Marshall's Life, Leadership, and Legacy by
A brilliant picture book biography about Thurgood Marshall, who fought for equality during the Civil Rights Movement and served as the first Black justice on the Supreme Court, from Coretta Scott King Honor winners Kekla Magoon and Laura Freeman. Growing up in Baltimore, Thurgood Marshall could see that things weren't fair. The laws said that Black and white people couldn't use the same schools, parks, or water fountains. When Thurgood had to read the Constitution as punishment for a prank at school, his eyes were opened. It was clear to him that Jim Crow laws were wrong, and he was willing to do whatever it took to change them. His determination to make sure all Americans were treated equally led him to law school and then the NAACP, where he argued cases like Brown v. Board of Education in front of the Supreme Court. But to become a Justice on the highest court in the land, Thurgood had to make space for himself every step of the way. Readers will be inspired by Kekla Magoon's concise text and Laura Freeman's luminous illustrations, which bring Thurgood Marshall's incredible legacy and achievements to life. * An SLJ Best Book of the Year * A Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist *
Nicky and Vera by
A Finalist for the 2022 Jane Addams Children's Book Award An NPR Best Book of 2021 A New York Times Best Children's Book of 2021 A Washington Post Best Book of 2021 A Kirkus Reviews Best Children's Book of 2021 A Horn Book Fanfare Best Book of 2021 In December 1938, a young Englishman canceled a ski vacation and went instead to Prague to help the hundreds of thousands of refugees from the Nazis who were crowded into the city. Setting up a makeshift headquarters in his hotel room, Nicholas Winton took names and photographs from parents desperate to get their children out of danger. He raised money, found foster families in England, arranged travel and visas, and, when necessary, bribed officials and forged documents. In the frantic spring and summer of 1939, as the Nazi shadow fell over Europe, he organized the transportation of almost 700 children to safety. Then, when the war began and no more children could be rescued, he put away his records and told no one. It was only fifty years later that a chance discovery and a famous television appearance brought Winton's actions to light. Peter Sís weaves Winton's experiences and the story of one of the children he saved, Vera Gissing. Nicky & Vera is a tale of decency, action, and courage told in luminous, poetic images by an internationally renowned artist.
Opening the Road Hb by
"""Hungry? Check the Green Book. Tired? Check the Green Book. Sick? Check the Green Book."" In the late 1930s when segregation was legal and Black Americans couldn't visit every establishment or travel everywhere they wanted to safely, a New Yorker named Victor Hugo Green decided to do something about it. Green wrote and published a guide that listed places where his fellow Black Americans could be safe in New York City. The guide sold like hot cakes! Soon customers started asking Green to make a guide to help them travel and vacation safely across the nation too. With the help of his mail carrier co-workers and the African American business community, Green's guide allowed millions of African Americans to travel safely and enjoy traveling across the nation. In the first picture book about the creation and distribution of The Green Book, author Keila Dawson and illustrator Alleanna Harris tell the story of the man behind it and how this travel guide opened the road for a safer, more equitable America."
The People's Painter by
A lyrically told, exquisitely illustrated biography of influential Jewish artist and activist Ben Shahn "The first thing I can remember," Ben said, "I drew." As an observant child growing up in Lithuania, Ben Shahn yearns to draw everything he sees--and, after seeing his father banished by the Czar for demanding workers' rights, he develops a keen sense of justice, too. So when Ben and the rest of his family make their way to America, Ben brings both his sharp artistic eye and his desire to fight for what's right. As he grows, he speaks for justice through his art--by disarming classmates who bully him because he's Jewish, by defying his teachers' insistence that he paint beautiful landscapes rather than true stories, by urging the US government to pass Depression-era laws to help people find food and jobs. In this moving and timely portrait, award-winning author Cynthia Levinson and illustrator Evan Turk honor an artist, immigrant, and activist whose work still resonates today: a true painter for the people.
She Caught the Light by
From Newbery Honor-winning author Kathryn Lasky comes a nonfiction picture book about the stars! Lasky tells the inspiring true story of astronomer Williamina Fleming, who helped lay the foundations for modern astronomy and overcame impossible odds as an immigrant and a woman. For stargazers and trailblazers everywhere! A Jane Addams Peace Prize Finalist "Both an intriguing introduction to astronomy and an involving tale of a strong woman who overcame adversity." --Kirkus Reviews "A compelling story and a fine addition to STEM studies." --School Library Journal "This picture book biography illuminates how [Williamina's] work chipped away at sexist barriers of the late 19th century." --Publishers Weekly Ever since Williamina Fleming was little she was curious, and her childhood fascination with light inspired her life's work. Mina became an astronomer in a time when women were discouraged from even looking through telescopes. Yet Mina believed that the universe, with its billions of stars, was a riddle--and she wanted to help solve it. Mina ultimately helped to create a map of the universe that paved the way for astronomers. Newbery Honor-winning Kathryn Lasky shares her incredible true story. Use this book to encourage conversation at home and the classroom about women and STEM. This is a captivating picture book that centers around women and empowerment, perfect for Women's History Month and to be shared alongside such powerful titles as Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly and She Persisted by Chelsea Clinton. Kathryn Lasky's nonfiction book Sugaring Time was a Newbery Honor Book, and the books she authored in the Dear America and Royal Diaries series have sold over 3 million copies. Julianna Swaney is the illustrator of the #1 New York Times bestselling We Are the Gardeners by Joanna Gaines.
We Are Still Here! by
Twelve Native American kids present historical and contemporary laws, policies, struggles, and victories in Native life, each with a powerful refrain- We are still here! Too often, Native American history is treated as a finished chapter instead of relevant and ongoing. This companion book to the award-winning We Are Grateful- Otsaliheliga offers readers everything they never learned in school about Native American people's past, present, and future. Precise, lyrical writing presents topics including- forced assimilation (such as boarding schools), land allotment and Native tribal reorganization, termination (the US government not recognizing tribes as nations), Native urban relocation (from reservations), self-determination (tribal self-empowerment), Native civil rights, the Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA), religious freedom, economic development (including casino development), Native language revival efforts, cultural persistence, and nationhood.
The John Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. It was named after eighteenth century British bookseller, John Newbery. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Newbery Medal Winner
Freewater by
Debut author Amina Luqman-Dawson pens a lyrical, accessible historical middle-grade novel about two enslaved children's escape from a plantation and the many ways they find freedom. Under the cover of night, twelve-year-old Homer flees Southerland Plantation with his little sister Ada, unwillingly leaving their beloved mother behind. Much as he adores her and fears for her life, Homer knows there's no turning back, not with the overseer on their trail. Through tangled vines, secret doorways, and over a sky bridge, the two find a secret community called Freewater, deep in the swamp. In this society created by formerly enslaved people and some freeborn children, Homer finds new friends, almost forgetting where he came from. But when he learns of a threat that could destroy Freewater, he crafts a plan to find his mother and help his new home. Deeply inspiring and loosely based on the history of maroon communities in the South, this is a striking tale of survival, adventure, friendship, and courage.
2023 Newbery Award Honor Books
Iveliz Explains It All by
How do you speak up when it feels like no one is listening? In this moving novel in verse, one girl takes on seventh grade while facing mental health challenges, and must find her voice to advocate for the help and understanding she deserves. "Powerful." --Lisa Fipps, Printz Honor-winning author of Starfish Listen up: The end of elementary school? Worst time of my life. And the start of middle school? I just wasn't quite right. But this year? YO VOY A MI. Seventh grade is going to be Iveliz's year. She's going to make a new friend, help her abuela Mimi get settled after moving from Puerto Rico, and she is not going to get into any more trouble at school. . . . Except is that what happens? Of course not. Because no matter how hard Iveliz tries, sometimes people say things that just make her so mad. And worse, Mimi keeps saying Iveliz's medicine is unnecessary--even though it helps Iveliz feel less sad. But how do you explain your feelings to others when you're not even sure what's going on yourself? Powerful and compassionate, Andrea Beatriz Arango's debut navigates mental health, finding your voice, and discovering that those who really love you will stay by your side.
The Last Mapmaker by
A Walter Dean Myers Honor Book for Teen Readers From Christina Soontornvat, the visionary and versatile author of two 2021 Newbery Honor Books, comes a high-seas adventure set in a Thai-inspired fantasy world. In a fantasy adventure every bit as compelling and confident in its world building as her Newbery Honor Book A Wish in the Dark, Christina Soontornvat explores a young woman's struggle to unburden herself of the past and chart her own destiny in a world of secrets. As assistant to Mangkon's most celebrated mapmaker, twelve-year-old Sai plays the part of a well-bred young lady with a glittering future. In reality, her father is a conman--and in a kingdom where the status of one's ancestors dictates their social position, the truth could ruin her. Sai seizes the chance to join an expedition to chart the southern seas, but she isn't the only one aboard with secrets. When Sai learns that the ship might be heading for the fabled Sunderlands--a land of dragons, dangers, and riches beyond imagining--she must weigh the cost of her dreams. Vivid, suspenseful, and thought-provoking, this tale of identity and integrity is as beautiful and intricate as the maps of old.
Maizy Chen's Last Chance by
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST * Twelve year-old Maizy discovers her family's Chinese restaurant is full of secrets in this irresistible novel that celebrates food, fortune, and family. Welcome to the Golden Palace! Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom's plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance and at the Golden Palace--the restaurant that's been in her family for generations--she makes some discoveries.For instance: You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food. People can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways. And the Golden Palace has secrets... But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing--and someone has left a racist note--Maizy decides it's time to find the answers. "This book is a gift." --Tae Keller, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger
The Margaret A. Edwards Award, established in 1988, honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. The annual award is administered by YALSA and sponsored by School Library Journal magazine. It recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world.
The 2023 Winner is Jason Reynolds, whose books include: "Long Way Down," "Ghost," "All-American Boys," and "When I Was the Greatest," among other titles.
The Michael L. Printz Award annually honors the best book written for teens each year. In addition, the Printz Committee names up to four honor books, which also represent the best writing in young adult literature. The award is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Printz Winner
All My Rage by 2023 Printz Honor Books
Scout's Honor by 
Icebreaker by 
When the Angels Left the Old Country by 
The Mildred L. Batchelder Award is presented each year to an American publisher for the most outstanding children's book originally published in another country in a language other than English, and subsequently translated and published in the United States during the previous year. This award honors Mildred L. Batchelder, a former executive director of the Association for Library Service to Children, a believer in the importance of good books for children in translation from all parts of the world. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Mildred L. Batchelder Award Winner
Just a Girl by
In this award-winning memoir translated from Italian to English, a Jewish girl grows up during a difficult time of racial discrimination and war, and discovers light in unexpected places. This classic, powerful story from Lia Levi is adapted for young readers, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations, a family photo album, and a powerful author's note to readers. 1938, Italy. Six-year-old Lia loves to build sandcastles at the beach and her biggest problem is her shyness and quiet, birdlike voice--until prime minister Mussolini joins forces with Hitler in World War II, and everything changes. Now there are laws saying Jewish children can't go to school, Jews can't work, or go on vacation. It's difficult for Lia to understand why this is happening to her family. When her father loses his job, they must give up their home and move from city to city. As war comes closer, it becomes too dangerous to stay together, and Lia and her sisters are sent to hide at a convent. Will she ever be "just a girl" again The memoir is full of poignant moments of friendship and loss, dreaded tests at school, told in Lia's captivating voice, as she grows into a young teen. Just a Girl is an important addition to the WWII Jewish canon.
2023 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book
Different by
A resonant, captivating book about a brother and sister caught in a dark chapter of world history. Between 1936 and 1939, a civil war raged across Spain. For almost three years, ordinary citizens lived in fear of bombs dropping from the sky. When fascist dictator Francisco Franco declared victory, he began to persecute everyone who had once opposed him. Spain became a country of secrets, where anyone who was different was in danger. Different explores this turbulent period through the voices of seven-year-old Socorro and nine-year-old Paco. Because Papa has fled Spain due to his political beliefs, the siblings and their mother must hide the truth in order to survive. Paco is always hungry, and Socorro is never good enough for her teachers at school. But they can't ask for more food or better treatment: someone might find out who they are, or--worse--why their father isn't home anymore. At last a letter from Father arrives, with a chance for their family to reunite in Venezuela ... Dramatic oil-pastel illustrations and poignantly chosen words express the emotions of two children coming of age in a time of extremism and fear. Based on the author's family history, this middle grade story is a stirring depiction of the Spanish Civil War, its tragic aftermath, and the timeless struggle for freedom from political violence.
Dragonfly Eyes by
From acclaimed Chinese author Cao Wenxuan, recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Award, comes a compelling family saga spanning fifty years and three generations. Ah-Mei and her French grandmother, Nainai, share a rare bond. Maybe it's because Ah-Mei is the only girl grandchild. Or maybe it's because the pair look so much alike and neither resembles the rest of their Chinese family. Politics and war make 1960s Shanghai a hard place to grow up, especially when racism and bigotry are rife, and everyone seems suspicious of Nainai's European heritage and interracial marriage. In this time of political upheaval, Ah-Mei and her family suffer much--and when the family silk business falters, they are left with almost nothing. Ah-Mei and her grandmother are resourceful, but will the tender connection they share bring them enough strength to carry through? This multigenerational saga by one of China's most esteemed children's authors takes the reader from 1920s France to a ravaged postwar Shanghai and through the convulsions of the Cultural Revolution.
João by a Thread by
As Joao tucks under a lovingly woven quilt, he asks himself: So it's just me now? He curls up, getting cozy in bed, and soon the world of his dreams unspools on the page. The blanket in his bed unravels into deep rivers, lakes, valleys, reservoirs, mountain ranges, fishing nets full of tadpoles and gaping holes, until what's left is just one long thread. When he feels alone and scared in the dark, Joao 'sews words like patchwork' into a new blanket. He weaves the threads of his quilt until they form one long sentence, and soon, the nighttime is peppered with his own silvery, slippery words.
The mission of the National Book Foundation is to celebrate the best literature in America, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in American culture.
2022 National Book Award Winner in Young People's Literature
All My Rage by
National Book Award WINNER Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature WINNER An INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! An INSTANT INDIE BESTSELLER! "All My Rage is a love story, a tragedy and an infectious teenage fever dream about what home means when you feel you don't fit in." -- New York Times Book Review From #1 New York Times bestselling author Sabaa Tahir comes a brilliant, unforgettable, and heart-wrenching contemporary novel about family and forgiveness, love and loss, in a sweeping story that crosses generations and continents. Lahore, Pakistan. Then. Misbah is a dreamer and storyteller, newly married to Toufiq in an arranged match. After their young life is shaken by tragedy, they come to the United States and open the Clouds' Rest Inn Motel, hoping for a new start. Juniper, California. Now. Salahudin and Noor are more than best friends; they are family. Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town of Juniper, California, they understand each other the way no one else does. Until The Fight, which destroys their bond with the swift fury of a star exploding. Now, Sal scrambles to run the family motel as his mother Misbah's health fails and his grieving father loses himself to alcoholism. Noor, meanwhile, walks a harrowing tightrope: working at her wrathful uncle's liquor store while hiding the fact that she's applying to college so she can escape him--and Juniper--forever. When Sal's attempts to save the motel spiral out of control, he and Noor must ask themselves what friendship is worth--and what it takes to defeat the monsters in their pasts and the ones in their midst. From one of today's most cherished and bestselling young adult authors comes a breathtaking novel of young love, old regrets, and forgiveness--one that's both tragic and poignant in its tender ferocity. (Cover may vary)
2022 National Book Award Young People's Literature Finalists
The Ogress and the Orphans by
A new instant-classic fantasy about the power of generosity and love, and how a community suffers when they disappear, by Kelly Barnhill, winner of the Newbery Medal for The Girl Who Drank the Moon, a New York Times bestseller. Stone-in-the-Glen, once a lovely town, has fallen on hard times. Fires, floods, and other calamities have caused the people to lose their library, their school, their park, and even their neighborliness. The people put their faith in the Mayor, a dazzling fellow who promises he alone can help. After all, he is a famous dragon slayer. (At least, no one has seen a dragon in his presence.) Only the clever children of the Orphan House and the kindly Ogress at the edge of town can see how dire the town's problems are. Then one day a child goes missing from the Orphan House. At the Mayor's suggestion, all eyes turn to the Ogress. The Orphans know this can't be: the Ogress, along with a flock of excellent crows, secretly delivers gifts to the people of Stone-in-the-Glen. But how can the Orphans tell the story of the Ogress's goodness to people who refuse to listen? And how can they make their deluded neighbors see the real villain in their midst?
Victory. Stand! by
On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. Both men were forced to leave the Olympics, received death threats, and faced ostracism and continuing economic hardships. In his first-ever memoir for young readers, Tommie Smith looks back on his childhood growing up in rural Texas through to his stellar athletic career, culminating in his historic victory and Olympic podium protest. Cowritten with Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King Author Honor recipient Derrick Barnes and illustrated with bold and muscular artwork from Emmy Award-winning illustrator Dawud Anyabwile, Victory. Stand! paints a stirring portrait of an iconic moment in Olympic history that still resonates today.
Maizy Chen's Last Chance by
NATIONAL BOOK AWARD FINALIST * Twelve year-old Maizy discovers her family's Chinese restaurant is full of secrets in this irresistible novel that celebrates food, fortune, and family. Welcome to the Golden Palace! Maizy has never been to Last Chance, Minnesota . . . until now. Her mom's plan is just to stay for a couple weeks, until her grandfather gets better. But plans change, and as Maizy spends more time in Last Chance and at the Golden Palace--the restaurant that's been in her family for generations--she makes some discoveries.For instance: You can tell a LOT about someone by the way they order food. People can surprise you. Sometimes in good ways, sometimes in disappointing ways. And the Golden Palace has secrets... But the more Maizy discovers, the more questions she has. Like, why are her mom and her grandmother always fighting? Who are the people in the photographs on the office wall? And when she discovers that a beloved family treasure has gone missing--and someone has left a racist note--Maizy decides it's time to find the answers. "This book is a gift." --Tae Keller, Newbery Medal-winning author of When You Trap a Tiger
2022 National Book Award Young People's Literature Longlist
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by
LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD! A WILLIAM C. MORRIS AWARD WINNER! The Chosen meets Adam Silvera in this irreverent and timely story of worlds colliding in friendship, betrayal, and hatred. Hoodie Rosen's life isn't that bad. Sure, his entire Orthodox Jewish community has just picked up and moved to the quiet, mostly non-Jewish town of Tregaron, but Hoodie's world hasn't changed that much. He's got basketball to play, studies to avoid, and a supermarket full of delicious kosher snacks to eat. The people of Tregaron aren't happy that so many Orthodox Jews are moving in at once, but that's not Hoodie's problem. That is, until he meets and falls for Anna-Marie Diaz-O'Leary--who happens to be the daughter of the obstinate mayor trying to keep Hoodie's community out of the town. And things only get more complicated when Tregaron is struck by a series of antisemitic crimes that quickly escalate to deadly violence. As his community turns on him for siding with the enemy, Hoodie finds himself caught between his first love and the only world he's ever known. Isaac Blum delivers a wry, witty debut novel about a deeply important and timely subject, in a story of hatred and betrayal--and the friendships we find in the most unexpected places. Praise for The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen: "A deeply authentic story about the terror and glory of encountering the outside world without sacrificing who you are--and who you want to be. It's touching, tragic, and as Jewish as your Bubbe's cholent." -Gavriel Savit, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the Swallow Man "Blum gives the common but often-dismissed spiritual journey of many teens the respect it deserves in this witty, profound look at cross-cultural friendship, courageous honesty, and how a willingness to truly see and love our neighbors can change an entire community." -Vesper Stamper, National Book Award-nominated author of What the Night Sings "A refreshingly human look at the day-to-day nuances of Orthodox Judaism and the terror of modern antisemitism. I laughed, I gasped, I craved kosher Starburst. Two thumbs up from this nice Jewish girl!" -Tyler Feder, Sydney Taylor Award-winning author of Dancing at the Pity Party "Bold, brave, and brutally honest, it holds a permanent piece of my heart." -Dahlia Adler, author of Cool for the Summer "Isaac Blum has the rare talent of telling searing, visceral truths in a witty, funny, punchy way . . . The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen is a vital voice in Jewish YA canon." -Katherine Locke, Sydney Taylor Honor author of The Girl with the Red Balloon
A Thousand Steps into Night by
Longlisted for the National Book Award From bestselling and award-winning author Traci Chee comes a Japanese-inspired fantasy perfect for fans of Studio Ghibli. When a girl who's never longed for adventure is hit with a curse that begins to transform her into a demon, she embarks on a quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life, but along the way is forced to confront her true power within. In the realm of Awara, where gods, monsters, and humans exist side by side, Miuko is an ordinary girl resigned to a safe, if uneventful, existence as an innkeeper's daughter. But when Miuko is cursed and begins to transform into a demon with a deadly touch, she embarks on a quest to reverse the curse and return to her normal life. Aided by a thieving magpie spirit and continuously thwarted by a demon prince, Miuko must outfox tricksters, escape demon hunters, and negotiate with feral gods if she wants to make it home again. With her transformation comes power and freedom she never even dreamed of, and she'll have to decide if saving her soul is worth trying to cram herself back into an ordinary life that no longer fits her... and perhaps never did.
Swim Team by
"Combines wonderful characters and history to create a story that will make you want to dive right in!" JERRY CRAFT, author of the Newbery Medal-winning New Kid A splashy, contemporary middle grade graphic novel from bestselling comics creator Johnnie Christmas! Bree can't wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees--until she's stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she's forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help. With Etta's training and a lot of hard work, Bree suddenly finds her swim-crazed community counting on her to turn the school's failing team around. But that's easier said than done, especially when their rival, the prestigious Holyoke Prep, has everything they need to leave the Mighty Manatees in their wake. Can Bree defy the odds and guide her team to a state championship, or have the Manatees swum their last lap--for good Praise for SWIM TEAM: "A revelation! You'll root for Swim Team--the water is just right." --JOHN JENNINGS, New York Times bestselling and Eisner Award-winning creator "Swim Team is a beautiful story about trying new things. Johnnie Christmas is a fantastic storyteller and artist." --KAZU KIBUISHI, author of Amulet "Full of charm, heart, and pulse-pounding races. A winner!" --GENE LUEN YANG, author of American Born Chinese and Dragon Hoops
Lotus Bloom and the Afro Revolution by
From the beloved author of President of the Whole Fifth Grade, a story about a young Black girl who summons the courage to fight against a discriminatory dress code--and stand up for herself. Lotus Bloom just wants to express herself--with her violin, her retro style, and her peaceful vibe, not to mention her fabulous hair. This school year, Lotus is taking her talent and spirit to the seventh grade at a new school of the arts. The one where she just might get to play under the famous maestro, a violin virtuoso and conductor of the orchestra. But Lotus's best friend, Rebel, thinks Lotus should stay at their school. Why should this fancy new school get all the funding and pull the brightest kids out? Rebel wants Lotus to help her protest, but Lotus isn't sure. If she's going to be in the spotlight, she'd rather it be for her music. Then, when boys throw paper wads and airplanes into Lotus's afro, Lotus finds herself in trouble for a dress code violation. Lotus must choose--should she stay quiet and risk her beloved hair, or put aside her peaceful vibe and risk everything to fight back? Inspired by real stories of Black girls fighting dress codes that discriminate against their hair and culture, beloved author Sherri Winston introduces a memorable character who finds her way to speak up for what's right, no matter what it takes.
An annual reading list of exceptional books for use in social studies classrooms, selected by social studies educators.The selection committee looks for books that emphasize human relations, represent a diversity of groups and are sensitive to a broad range of cultural experiences, present an original theme or a fresh slant on a traditional topic, are easily readable and of high literary quality, and have a pleasing format and, when appropriate, illustrations that enrich the text. For winning titles from this year and previous years, click here.
Reading science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) trade books is the perfect way for students to develop literacy skills while learning STEM content. Building upon a strong legacy of several decades of recommending outstanding science trade books, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) appointed a judging panel that has selected its second annual list of Best STEM Books. The list was chosen by volunteer educators, identified in cooperation with the Children's Book Council (CBC). For lists from this year and previous years, click here.
Reading science trade books is the perfect way for students to build literacy skills while learning science content. The books that appear in these lists were selected as outstanding children's science trade books. They were chosen by a book review panel appointed by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and assembled in cooperation with the Children's Book Council (CBC). For lists from this year and previous years, click here.
The Odyssey Award is given annually to the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States. A list of winners and honor audiobooks from previous years can be found here.
2023 Odyssey Award Audiobooks
Stuntboy, in the Meantime by
A Schneider Family Award Honor Book for Middle Grade From Newbery Medal honoree and #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds comes a hilarious, hopeful, and action-packed middle grade novel about the greatest young superhero you've never heard of, filled with illustrations by Raúl the Third! Portico Reeves's superpower is making sure all the other superheroes--like his parents and two best friends--stay super. And safe. Super safe. And he does this all in secret. No one in his civilian life knows he's actually...Stuntboy! But his regular Portico identity is pretty cool, too. He lives in the biggest house on the block, maybe in the whole city, which basically makes it a castle. His mom calls where they live an apartment building. But a building with fifty doors just in the hallways is definitely a castle. And behind those fifty doors live a bunch of different people who Stuntboy saves all the time. In fact, he's the only reason the cat, New Name Every Day, has nine lives. All this is swell except for Portico's other secret, his not-so-super secret. His parents are fighting all the time. They're trying to hide it by repeatedly telling Portico to go check on a neighbor "in the meantime." But Portico knows "meantime" means his parents are heading into the Mean Time which means they're about to get into it, and well, Portico's superhero responsibility is to save them, too--as soon as he figures out how. Only, all these secrets give Portico the worry wiggles, the frets, which his mom calls anxiety. Plus, like all superheroes, Portico has an arch-nemesis who is determined to prove that there is nothing super about Portico at all.
The Honeys by
From Ryan La Sala, the wildly popular author of Reverie, comes a twisted and tantalizing horror novel set amidst the bucolic splendor of a secluded summer retreat. Mars has always been the lesser twin, the shadow to his sister Caroline's radiance. But when Caroline dies under horrific circumstances, Mars is propelled to learn all he can about his once-inseparable sister who'd grown tragically distant. Mars's genderfluidity means he's often excluded from the traditions -- and expectations -- of his politically-connected family. This includes attendance at the prestigious Aspen Conservancy Summer Academy where his sister poured so much of her time. But with his grief still fresh, he insists on attending in her place. What Mars finds is a bucolic fairytale not meant for him. Folksy charm and sun-drenched festivities camouflage old-fashioned gender roles and a toxic preparatory rigor. Mars seeks out his sister's old friends: a group of girls dubbed the Honeys, named for the beehives they maintain behind their cabin. They are beautiful and terrifying -- and Mars is certain they're connected to Caroline's death. But the longer he stays at Aspen, the more the sweet mountain breezes give way to hints of decay. Mars's memories begin to falter, bleached beneath the relentless summer sun. Something is hunting him in broad daylight, toying with his mind. If Mars can't find it soon, it will eat him alive.
The Three Billy Goats Gruff by
Instant New York Times bestseller! The MOMENTOUS debut of a groundbreaking Fairy Tale series -- a brilliantly crafted, hilarious twist on this beloved classic, The Three Billy Goats Gruff, from renowned, award-winning, and New York Times bestselling duo and picture book pioneers Mac Barnett and Jon Klassen! Once there was a bridge and a terrible and VERY hungry troll lived underneath it. When the three Billy Goats Gruff decide to clip-clop across the bridge to get to the grassy ridge, the troll is already imagining all the way to prepare a delicious goat dinner. But the troll underestimates those seemingly sweet but oh-so-savvy goats! This is the first in a groundbreaking new collection of fractured fairy tales crafted by one of today's most celebrated and acclaimed authors, Mac Barnett, and brought to stunning visual life by award-winning and beloved creator of I Want My Hat Back, Jon Klassen. Told with pitch perfect timing and pacing, hilarious detail, and Barnett's signature narrator voice, this is Billy Goats Gruff as never before. High-stakes page turns will have readers on the edge of their seats and giggling along, as they join each goat and anticipate the arrival of the hungry and terrible troll living under the bridge. With Klassen's brilliantly restrained scenes, arresting characters, and celebrated artistic style, this first of three fairy tales is destined to be a true publishing event! With a multitude of Caldecott Medals, Honors, international awards, and New York Times bestsellers to their names both independently and in collaboration, this is a creative pairing that is electric. So get ready to experience picture book magic... all you have to do is cross the bridge!
Demon in the Wood Graphic Novel by
Don't miss Demon in the Wood, the first-ever graphic novel from the world of Shadow and Bone - the blockbuster book series and international Netflix sensation - from #1 New York Times bestselling author Leigh Bardugo and spectacular new talent Dani Pendergast. See the Grishaverse come to life on screen with Shadow and Bone, a #1 Netflix series - Season 2 coming March 16, 2023! Before he became the Darkling, Eryk was just a lonely boy burdened by an extraordinary power. The dangerous truth is that Eryk is not just a Grisha--he is the deadliest and rarest of his kind. With stunning illustrations and raw emotion, peer into the shadows of the Darkling's past and discover why he has always been feared by those who wish to destroy him and hunted into hiding his true abilities. But even in this villain origin story, wicked secrets are destined to reveal themselves . . .
Inheritance by
They tell me to "fix" my hair. And by fix, they mean straighten, they mean whiten; but how do you fix this shipwrecked history of hair? In her most famous spoken-word poem, author of the Pura Belpré-winning novel-in-verse The Poet X Elizabeth Acevedo embraces all the complexities of Black hair and Afro-Latinidad--the history, pain, pride, and powerful love of that inheritance. Paired with full-color illustrations by artist Andrea Pippins in a format that will appeal to fans of Mahogany L. Browne's Black Girl Magic or Jason Reynolds's For Everyone, this poem can now be read in a vibrant package, making it the ideal gift, treasure, or inspiration for readers of any age.
The First Helping (Lunch Lady Books 1 And 2) by
Fans of Captain Underpants won't want to miss the adventures of a lunch lady who serves justice--now available for the first time as a full-color graphic novel featuring two-books-in-one! Serving justice . . . and lunch! Hector, Terrence, and Dee have always wondered about their school lunch lady. What does she do when she isn't dishing out the daily special? Where does she live? Does she have a lot of cats at home? Little do they know, Lunch Lady doesn't just serve sloppy joes--she serves justice! Whatever danger lies ahead, it's no match for LUNCH LADY in these two exciting adventures packed into one book! Get ready for the return of this exciting series, by the author of Hey, Kiddo. This new edition includes brand-new, full-color version of Lunch Lady and the Cyborg Substitute and Lunch Lady and the League of Librarians, as well as all-new exciting backmatter!
![orbis pictus for 2021, [Printable and Downloadable] - Lomen](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAOAAAADhCAMAAADmr0l2AAAAk1BMVEX///8AAACzs7P7+/vx8fHg4OCwsLC/v7/39/fLy8vDw8Ps7OzV1dXIyMinp6fGxsaVlZXa2tq5ubmfn5+rq6uJiYnc3Nzm5uaEhISampqOjo56enrt7e1hYWF9fX12dnZra2s9PT1PT09fX19NTU1ubm4vLy9ERERXV1ckJCQ4ODghISEYGBgiIiIsLCwPDw8XERORfN6MAAAgAElEQVR4nNW9CWPiOtI2qvIuWzbG+4IXbIzN0vD+/193q2SSYCCkT5+e+eZq5nQCYZFU21OLSoz9x4cjzMiv2257uYIc18O2a+vCM4Xzn//2/+RQRZR1ckn7qYlzTwnsleuubFOJ8riZ9vJPuzoS1v/rmf7BEF5L0+8L5R2ZHKEUPb2u9cR/b27/egh/RD5sovXvvmEdNci9o///h0VqxoQcWbj/mOtUt0CenQztPzGrvzWc8ALQ2Oqfvl+1G9yd8H9U9Vgerq5I/u3HrAuAi/e/p3Zs5MxC/zufpeMap9Xf+ay/MzQf9eBf1RAcdbD/vyKOSQXg/bHcfTdUDzftXzP8Xxh8Cx3/D330Drb/oY/+7WEfYEh/76UxnKTq0AjZbHfV77wtHeDw/1IY3QPUvysoITBf8nHcMwFhevV/621aCQf3T+f3L8f6COXv64EGbgKFCzMhYNbpN9+oNXD8bUz0F4fWQ7X57m9t9vV7NpVoPooztJ/GzQCbfpjtYP/OVzkVVP91jVrA8bWKM0zGdrD/eChgpeawIhb9UrQhkO6oYa2dC/yFBz/JY3KE4i9M+veHC8hkrwcAo+V/UOta3Z6L4GsVPiDPOXAujBb/0oOxO/5kZgKA/54oWj1k3/7RJcK6YM6PVBjw3xbXG8AXxTNarAmRboaNygqBmtWg528g1H3Jjxn0/yUAp8DlDUttpOn63AHJrCXSicMX1BmIwPxjE5LIK4g8AVqPiihZQfvqk9MLKH9h+j8Nq4PwzZ8dkGsbr7fHBehyuVoL+9sKVYRhDW4RtPggRMp4gkisQ4dbsWXEzd/AvhC6/zgRbbh8580EJwCHNAwjKfvQsDVMEOPCDVd8cF4ieIDLTs/7BrUNoJSOJ2JBQcTDv1+P3327s4ff0rt/Phr41j57W5Q4g/YfNcgaos8/fM/PDrkfObQt1CSo+EDViHfPl+k76O5D84dT/53hnOF7kwve/HNDGt2AN3roYWwECmmNC7097qXO/Y5P1nD9jznEJkyvn29QRVhSX5IiBBhZ/gfOEwwWCzXcINwaD753JKZvTdS/HBnkr55Wy+lI+32WlhxYPv5pXCUctx6pJVJAF3y8UczXryOO/vtjfK3b4muNmz6Q+tk5yeVfuzcARxJDg8zG0b++DBII5JG/PTZwfkmXXCKMhkho72H6C0EL5epuSBNrJMY6vHyNdv5WRv9wrMlIPQ0JnoibNlD9zYhFRZ/pgc0PPXyjg6fvbOWfDRvKF89KSEkTYWwL7d8MWli+O2vV4IyfXRkvXlLDawH9oxG9VC9JB9Kng8sqbf++OyM+3A+EcK+ikeGHXfr3I3+FAX9JNUALb+Dn5anuyuSKr/cV4s0htiMzTX9CXfnVFYQK4aRW8II/gr/lQsXwIiyyBwLMHcq61n/n985D414Gt7GHxdj5q0T7nrXTItNp/9DbiF79nf8+mHg3Mnil+lWdMGQKbxW2Eky3pRxa/5Zm4noqgrCtpu3HMif+xjkxvRmbWdXxWRLF3zCI2bO6EgaXf3BZ0b7cWhp6WN3yf57QJTfqZkB5wcIo8pWQQpUoWXOmF52m5huB4gCS/3tYF88odP3vV1g8r29sL9JoAFSvbIec1iAXV3kzdE3cth/x8aVrC38o82qUid6afArmKPOLz9lrSS4Q3qvoQnI2Pavy9b/l0vyZPylrMJBTkX6z605OVLm2rpx9e4JLVXpPbKjpPMibA3QRKhIP0R6t8TteDX3cztR/wS7ie/fmd4bx7H5pElscvgv6rauTzNgS3YMGf/HfhPwcZF2zmKCpExZJjt6/xtFIpw28BjXuv7EWK1gIttysRHp6yutvC6Sa7GmW5g7a4J35UGWOWwa4FfzVY44gbXt6uUQUFP8b7BL8ucVPFuT3AEWHvovQUxG//CqaIOVhzC3U95QLn22Bg+pzzfTmZsx4RmtEk0Rq9dnsWvvjt/o6/FPUpi2c5/Dj81Gv5fWLoIJGYjTi4i1lW91Lrn/a3/zkzRc3uUBmhpGTclMdmnSSNWlYquePT75fRf2HyPu62DL4ZDcnbl6wEa4btoIiM3e5BBPZOSxR180P+y/scb2pf9z/r4CnnkGlpTvig1fwcx6a8qQXptcC88PoFu8SH6Hc14zikKrHSdldpt+9h7juKwgXwWcgQ9/D6fNFLf1MpAbVehh0JqXzG8lCOdjBo1d2/gP/sIAFAhMfUaT9C2AWECoJ7/EvGkJG8dAVfRA05SyDq7G58S46ezf+128MuYZIMqGRQUuhZXR8XzEeii7FIR9kWvvn5nD1aAA/WOoFN5CCzy3cg89v0a4Shqc4V1x2eyPS/dh9aH3lg1Y1kkb+sj4iPhEXeJkeCCX1ssfQrPinqlR7sp/+HM3yn/ESwpIxwWmVsxqQhVkJ9IwCUbSK9S0kuBjFx/QnmGPE+FrUhvM8TeIHYujnpFIuyQ1PSjz/h4rm8szUSKcyqg6PT6cHoK8bZl2tkSkjJp4JRC6Hgb+98JePIN9BxRnysXkmqWxuClSBk6mSQn3cz5S2Y4f4Q2N6dC8t0/mfrC976X+NcHqK2nvoKQiWXmathyoRpcSXEycWpxDneIKXYCNHOEf49Pa32Ecy5/sD3IIUJTSpAs/h1XDvnaGVmOJ6ujcdL4MO3wz+0kN6NSqpIqrLTcXmO5TUi2mRUFCYlAiwZt/gmVQxCv9TzGCDirhsaO63P48QET9cH7SaGFp6E/I48y73z79yW78Z99s2vkkGID5E4qjnLwIF0MZIhJImEOrDfchoHWmRb64C0wg871HPZ+gpTPi1N/rNXnCJH45w9mU0vYWhTKzFxxSv2O7lqO7YGc3Ut3DdkV++ng31ppNkJ7NtS/Eqqvi2PDuqpbNQ54ZXZ35WNtUFrpWf80/aNrBlo4+KRYbH8af0F8U5ow970qa21r1yBA+vA+9Pw7y3owafXgEnGoU0VcXu9qbcIAHNiXrTl0pLw9219bmjbfjqGESBCL04SB1rY6mpgQw+BVzuu6XQj8sHXjrczO4eUusMj0ozgpcpvPT3YvrqYywnhsur+FAJ6PZal/nF5S92Y2UUjfrj6xFBZ2uUtf5wgaexy3yTsxSN5HDbUOdTpRDvz0/6+Flohx5ok995a3d8mf8Wkw7Xx2cQHa3TB02RlpJ35z3DmV20fJ6E9zFhJ9wXqWMQsoShaehnZfhhNMI2DD7jMX1kIRDaRvItCEPnrZxOZGaS+bMDUmUPZusujHm4M4Cnb5jtfogXMq3fjNvX2DTEN9pl3mbHIquMMhgAO9Q0R83c9yIVsmL7cgwy35dRCn+ajufTAdEkTD7wOdqWu5mB9kVywCy1JqgAqjXTU736JA3tdxO+7L9+139D/V8XptUqw/mNy8irS/NacEQFnZUwBFuSBBG0ui0dn8IUIgjNcWgr/7xPx/ECNdKk6L1ipHVCWeCCIdygob9JWhCAoREFm9NM0HODyOgbXUczuftL/aNfES7ZGI6wdyiOtnhRip8asXrORMYNEVeFI9tcG0n91blgAo34FNUdesmT0Qz1XikMW4g0yKYYibV1eT5Ap2z3fpzzE3LkpLs7CdTUPcI8Cy6oPz8saD8QZM1eCFhDE7lXiq9TfF/DgkVgp+QSNBZLZ1OV7DjjSw6nGZUhu/2SCw6GnBBN3aPRQ7RiCFC4G8PB2MMQ2UGRedfLtbHDZsSFoh29GJyXUh5DdJaIxQIkHGL7GfzJz+wq1DaPcsjZ+ipB0uqObAq8D5g3S0SHZnerbR/DPS2cdcSStL0oSDfHyocbM8cESaDZZXVoo/IkFeWHYbXXHchSRyCgTXeti8qHbPih86ch/1A5J9epiE9VFb3RG+fNJGlHsshLYFpI7oT8uMDel/bd+tIHIR13a/RcHioKe1Lhe8nKAyn2dozwdy3BrXOmPv2I01/CqJnGRuiVrnLbrYdr7ClxYmhpmpjxiB5DVEFj6dxeW4EPw0FGwPV03qgcjh+7SX4JGy60U0tUtZWu4Wix+6CMePKG70e3e3wm7NhDxUNNixpnixxL/xrxormOUOWtro74BZWlIunXo0D1Uh/QTA9hGCnmBHEb+3Uc11XWZNvAHsDZwaR4jYEkFBCCTdbDV6cOP1vrZoXqwbGTX4VcWj3o8g1yVoEsyhdWcnpaw9vVI1JaekgehSamz28yCa0pO8k+h8xBzbmtjaa6CtzfQjHNwHZNI/e4VzcI1byiiRXFC+MoK8q4vwSrNvIpN2Og4j2xWpFEdL4owmH78eu1oIzPwuuLbmZvoX3SN0G27cJOxi0tN/AXb6dK6oX/6sMlkluc0MyQAsrGQ8/nmEMQJGLt8DBcO2sxVbtJS7jQeci8MMgEz3xkymEYii2MEIsMCitaFxUuovlwtzfm3e5aoJB2W6xw3AbiKRrefltHJBb5Yp+MlLrcHcIaZ2TS+9e1JAW48iMt/gStF/kRqqG+KbJqhDDeukpgornS0AyklsXFmnPXjJKK4qyX6RzRAlG/cGEYtqlcpwucrPZszU7+nU5MQODHXO4tFr5ih4+TBTZxvrX2Y3v/CJhFwZTFc+SHq/kyby6dMnXoU1SZph4Zhl8owTBFue+3F7RssLc9xTsYbNVW6GroG5YmWsq8LchQIwy72M9CdK7crI0ny1QjNDyh3GzruJAnxEn9s4/PyNovRGv4hoTrxcRt+uz1fmn3UeIs4yH6QXuMOB7/BLbJVV76fhjUdVBW05jDcOzj4pL1E1zOu50XpXVuGYYuSNouNWyrqYmqccjj2th6RW6ylRnnuI2BJSe93F7/SsD7CUr6D37/d1I4LZTR7IVFC7cEAZPQXtQ96CACCtbWqBTzSATCXuuDoeBjUhrn2pj0CPnXO4A7qkwoiq0EMNqwOnHPWHn7MuBBoICahWOrhGGgrNGt1O+naTUjiWVV4bzg3mqpF4TBO3e/4Mr+ZVpvuW5+vsBWV5dbcUU3s3sRY4WwgSsUAcqE3xVelHtRVlf7OoYxjC4Qjkc/D5ss8gt/aMFAcdM1/KGzdWBraEW28ZYriCcS02lrz1y5ZMQHNlCkYMXRiySbLhXbNU4fcDdiJOlo3wOY9cvik3p//0i1CG8twxwxfon5HLxSwUODX9gG4nr94hth65dl04OGBC88L7yOewiyuq2VqCmr/WUYAkVRIA1MOwhEhd8RXrnLGxAx+k4u7C+Cxf4e/eyrInHvfoKUzxgyhZUBSw6UCxdLX/f4IgClPodO1e2CaVHlxK8Y9LwihxStOwOFCQ2FUk0Dew8aRyDaGd62DQJDaYZJwR3q3baNyqIxz4MZmnFoV+d9EAOlEkOlpvJZk3iwLDTSzueA5MJix35/s0wB+dML6Oii3uyXfEv+1tM0vWUqoqATbu29OiHHhFEoxFpIuQrCQ5CZC1OsvJKFrh4qoZ0la7+AOlCuehrytekppov0UiZwW2hUtPV+5CEAyMNoB8idaCt0IRCreDSThtVx6PtwZZTv0KQ5+EipVYMGS5fhhPwTPyzoRaBy4W9JPPmgihCtCMp7knWqctw3n3ifHzwOpb1ONNc27RanOGZNMxz9qs3XTTlty3LnwXVtHKANUBqjREC+ZromkCFEZE5jfygvg90Jr2sRNV9Rq9mCKauURP6if3DmJ+dsQA9hwUfBqwD4k18o7mnMK5kzWLxAZu/I701vYHovd+AYUXJB4VoSmFZks8rV0rHtW9ePi11dQRkO03i9ZuUVErSKgaOvSF4Sjw/gBRxq4QgRovaxIwp3Wnem3UMsv3cIFBaXO+vnIx99AThJGzn1xSK1J0sx3ItbKzdoaXCIQdvi9g3ZuZ9D7sdJlwEhPfQ0Frgs7bmeOroepImCxg5V/uAfcGMKg14Omh2FKQvilelaTq0gLMuDJpLuUjehKkbgVHpMfE6uIIsvQyZ3LHjK9WUkUUO4ZT5kTaf2YYELT2SScKi7hweoHyJxo+k5QkQik47mNpHoUEVnoMkUlY15FERZGyhFXAScK9PECyiKNrZHaO2+iUzNNr2VCPJgJdaa2JrM1oXNc4WpAeIE+fl6cLO+6boFIVDs4/sQdgpWCHfKfKMV0MGQ5PdyZz/w6LKoIER1iZBusQGkYW7fK4uciCVUdLv3hcmEGR47js9Mg8mNPPfNWpShHU92uD/WUO06P6CkZm2ra66LzIuC3Ksny0hSXHJIGjRlVg3HaVSIbA7udorriogwCcUTFiq+mthdflSFGM4q2bhfiwkvY6S7peGQgeh7AiJqDMTniofxtpVFC1MURplvcNHFuaXZ3OjR+bOUTPEEQ3zipunazSJbj65rs4liVJtK2ARmGAhvoyFz6bqlCxRIkzmCWMFi+ZlK1JtICiOqu3QhcPJ7HRs+g5tpS0IzbtJqe77bhnIBY61PmXRmKgXZ8gQtEXBLJiKdX96Soh4yhDbSklhOmsYmN1dCTfGJxNC5geAlMv0wCnwPPVU9z0XAW0+EZR2F/lhlhvxKm5uCR34ggp13+0Y1NVhanq4zv6IO0+8ZVG5wh5j0U+ufkKUi8tQS4y50IRbYxvgkTgPmC2cDvyXUSNCbOSXgEXn5KZjjQE5g26iQdMHWGkvRzoejYbqcG0Xth2EeIfZWcGMSHenFPUsYkjf0zBZWGBiRueJh6gW7EA6XHaFmUigWL+iHHha/IFYecmhIj9WXaa85uyCRuSU354sm937V7jOVgRREjwQ3d6FmO3Q8J3oN/o0+J6M4CaQnOGX34RCduXkYFqWfBWuhr1Ykp5wXQb5212F5yVFAuWDis1JUjxXP5B63bKPIPd8ZjgUxhAZz9R7j1zN6YDXox4cUWn1h5898oArp7oNA6ZfiqO8Qt3rvIqqA+uA83Wdv0DqZCb01JOGsBUtwHmFO8bJremSPgTpZvETzo7fmOS/DpgqjuPftSfcum5XDROVJUeBqmpnrVRQalhd2N7Bih/qH5UbwbicmXNMHJt0Q5vhciw63YKce3zlO/M60mAuFuZZNDe6xQoEifZnhkUXGC1pGIBdtfXZG1A8j9YbRHTfwq1+H7te0pVzLF22dteDMDoh10ec9WHrmO3mBeIZpqqOxDfJtpjClW912J9lHnzTO9UwvIYsf4rltzWDhuOdsE6KjPBpfu32neYc7G+lIg2jdZ2AQu9gp7cdGrtqXOprwcQdiP4fVjBu86Yu8KGujQSvnmh87qK0dy9Kn3gi8iZJlqqqKCMEr2S1hp0zVNItI5jiBR1bVc4R869HDXYNYpA08Hi/YAFnmO9Yhh+oQLji5/0I/XzXZgRVK2bTvX4orYgVtYTfDATKifOvc1qRAjjxdjju/KJDPstLbow/awr4umvxjCs49GFb5KsFVByFBJYdzN7QF7CyopzbkamVTsII0jQ854p+EawJ65aGUchQ63KuRFLLHiKBxx8OfJgH9bp/ItNgwyYYpCf/XlnWaLH9sz80FqitUx2tsml5oRpEXQOxCYIRd16r9sSEwKZUN6Q/RZrqZag5ahjyMu7Vcd8RZ24g8MpT84OAUMpUhwsX9D4fQ0GJJH32/9Be0I1vmRWeWQzn4koxPS37vKVEs7exH9wsUaGttMrbhF15NhpQqzHuPKiVaxML741BBd25jiNtt1sNhe7l2lXeCGiJfBLGzdvcJM9u+yQKjb4vCj/OAh7K0WUk9WOcFb01H8prJehcnhVrQFCpfr3Tc2jF98GEBHcbnmhZQmy/R/PSZ7jUmj9J8v8xVUfB8IAWw/+oRAlZDyb4sRe9IlpdT+KVroC1B97h2rBpKng0wZR1KWZDYRhzkxSpvQs/L2sKfdrGHFsIudSkdwTZruHS/SgReKju0CeoI1M+I0B3aA3T3H5K8DUHuO65MxzWaTGhF9clmZf8x20df3rk3girxOlGU0qBwjjQ6btujBHpmY5uXHsEJ4BKHGuI1iOJEtWn7nSELsa+4WWEJBUWTkJ5eGVfo6+YRuhtR4RmuFdTzHF1bVepS95TI8xUmjrXNQiOqmB1/kObiLMElqsHTIpiGrLRflhcHNz7U4e3BB9QYSUJ7EdtUCyRrRCCtL+UV1We82+30Kf2Vj2F7oLq6ruVw1CCqd4Z/HKGOkyhR4wJhqWdM5yysQUGJzdRjozRFNc1nSjT8uxWL9sp9W9QWK+PAYGOT5tz9cPNaMP3lNK9avEjdZ0/HU5ybrTPuBc7wkCOC+41oUcX0tM/yZVqEfKFsUcKHMTU7iNpJNCjYhd7l+mGVHihr3cIVFZczOLqzLfgqhzgaOAtPXt94jX8Oq+O0Eg4ViMRM45ofWqOWs0xNRldpgAWoqzLWZJ5bf1JNg4uGkuTRE2lGE/c9beGTi2eIebMOzZ0VDKUxO95zA3KoJWvqZgdYw10bKLvugrKK2hwlb7KPQSbGtoGzjHWYl6KGxvNnyxjzrl2NuTntod8XMfn2yN6TBw2sci1QrcnRWp0zLxVH0bVGq3LcQs/JFD3Vv7SDD2o2HyZS5BFDlnRothZsq+kodvfGop/ffl+AdrL0bQm/7lSyjihGFlB8ZTmsXwhekEqn8TyiN36u/KuJHkM27rzhGFwQPLpVCOke2hPs90GU+xZfdW12bjPF4MEpHsHp6/K8Zl3oVzHTC2azKAxZEGQ2tzw0tgbhXcRw1ieCcUBwk5mjT6kfdS05alpUvPiA2mBRxpvPkdB7yHNkyAi2uXhbb5FFFV9RjilEF5oFV3DPdiXybRLEcQ9xo5/jCibwK7h2teIqXZ1N7phbegVu6AaQTlPc8izMxdEMoguqCEdPbeYxLWNRHK51Hrs+KyOb8cINw60whPN1WuR0ZKjNmSw0aIk03TqAe6ePD+g9zkx8G65cbXKPeKC29sy8V049FCYBAQ8+u1KBeoCjItFZccygzo4T7t2mKLvqihuhoIWoKCh1zbxj8Ssum2PV4aPa4LEPUggg5fEFjaS2nlgdpLY68MAidYZuatYFCRjcD2tbS8OvihjETxWbVEorR1L4cp/dRy5YkKMRZfZd4EKTdiS4J6rZMdT597AIRcqhj8E10rmGmCA+Wo6dHqIsXQ64Ds/dN5ldoW5QkkRpRYiGMW539llUQ5We3CC5QNiKDiHPCaaGrOah9r2ogAOk3qTilDwW66EugmwqRBGItU9uvsFt7qifqTEVckVbl7JCriamW29Zcx+MQs8fKTjewxtpAIuHlC+/3oen6HBU/yGkkcwQGE0Exy4PLllWQexfMx3t+7Y3yIUwz6spQJcBN7mHyXDRy48VXfg81hHCBRSpmw/ZhWjQgQ9tn+o2K1jEVMNq7bS0gsxItZVmCzNFRx8Vy2eFzni0DDmFDxoBGoD7cEZHNQ/+vfO2JcDSfzBk/qqUjUpcSUhdxuMzHHPcsTHtIKNJEoIPFSBS1hfKYu6uIUo+Ls8HIxtP06bJEXgf8PU1GEi5KHCsoJTva6czAgLUNmvyG3GjCzVarwXCbsPWUX1Glu4YCvpKX8F1VCK0NP2TaG3iLovY/PIBcJct/nP9YEiUJs9+TD1QuJGEVErOvHVnBr9s8FdHmVTyAU0FdMfjldLzR1wbUWjKDJhKtQxcfWTafl/i8+KsH3TRXKFG7yPYIrhr+ljVWMwc1q/DIM2U0lPQrTQVdC0RhZoWv3cD3YPZLQquwpC9PND0dZwyJLT6qURHT4krdNnvS2BVKlycD/SQzUmJljG7eqzXGGpSnPN4PCOiuV52PhzRuRiDFtdyPUNhw3kPGxNJEHjHdBdwo1GUs+/7MJlBbGgrBGL6PmUZMl6s+07oic4VbW5anqcFDvd807IX8ep9a3yeIQkSqSS393BUI/dJW5tf9Vy2PK7+QTRaaIrsc73DMYi+hH5CK3QpkSz5Dn2YejS2R2WXT0OuqMjjSbNVujwy2yOqN3frEmQ9s+2Qm86Axp4rIWKY4zHgVCsSiILpMcOFML5mGiKNFfPVzCpZnQpWMt1YbdTAZxs6IrILbHav0AfQfZnFQgCe5wRQ0+X5EahuZ2jF5/QttBKfPK2ibXpo4YezYmFDzjY+MEdKZ4F+HOtVp56rMPIlsT1WDWYwZtdrd0QFM9TnIws6f7eOlaLbCXXyT7jTkHRlPFF2b4du25EpzDwK3NXECVLEafgpCCWUhDMtiZiuraNxHNl6fUfCECyTJVtvIEUsWylp3cLvQe5rwvtOE5QH/yz0shD/X8OHAJICJ1Z9WQ35qcwYIp7ipGojqisDfW9R9yz1QjGkl46hXqs85vaBycIo83Joj3a1LbbZ0BbM5JVb98rZCNUozJE1mY4OcJCGVuBoqc7ySMUlelSAFGwfTvcRWKxmbbCtqckQ23FvkZE4yYDjfYAK5c/4KJ7l0M68ea+JMuS2pTeFeAESAyXOvaKNGPcmun/TtmJKGfWmmw6EWzufTWjdRt2BokU1u1bPQ+FZzs5o1NI4+oILLcC9N0ZL19QAnVpDJ3+vTvGnlTKfQvZ5YXePTi4dd902lo/8uUMhzA0B98Gj29mce+CisPzDDCLzIMLyXPveT0Z/5uvcmUnIL48EuCLMtsIjb6mgwHsTm+jxrLphUFA9MnbRWJ867MTEpTujOUzr03AM3bRnvp/YPnp8cRqOCDEcZlkkEjlrg5QJrbBUE3FpoSrQxlRc8zEPqySADb3nMNNka0QeI0qLmzuLyFPceHW3yESNIbpRH8RaMYdHCCrvt+0X+BQQTWTexTqjHioQlaU7r7C3ChwyaJ04zYy2MFHP+EmujUW+tkCo7RigOxZ5JYsrv4viKNPFSmFRZ4ki5OwqCk75AhcZfI0utEi9FSJsw0a9E1geLmWTBK776eLFRsJjGyZ31vAwym4dNmVh7nQG1bqdFp1JEcoPj0dLgnuEjkSinIs378IeuXdwtiP33fXYrSDbIopOmzIaleLqT/na0+vqmoVgqmcFed7ZicbWPAdGYfpCoKtpN2xl0aFC1K3SbAtWM8PSg8KK1SBOW5Q/RU3YdOXc1JOSzccqcv0AACAASURBVIfv11kqYjHAPpknhx4Twe20YYt2a2J8jEGXDZueSoXvw1dUc4Q+R5a4VSZIf+B/6KOYOK2I7dKxYOmBm2InYn+9EzXE12KP4CeLwdcv+wQRm+YdhQnKUOsuoigTAbKIE014psY8E5Wna9kBhQqpGjNkSuCkPOHWHsKR6wI0mAhbeutoI4hAbEkOSsLc4S/rqeVFUaF5f3zyblDy32hkNUJ1suQCO4cAjVaggotZcU70K4+LgRdr3dl0Nd+HtdPvvKZqGthVsD+PoHEEKMetukFhRl/vyhpLeC6nqEpoRYEVoFIpKNafIo4I5PGEQFZYrt36bMXArfZca0TJPbBlIRc6Tm+boLFwx/bfHyaVdt4sCqpiM3cdS0klnzjtmbHLyYEeNDO5rJiy0uWJlV7XOlURoZEMMLp5rCCUyA9+PTZHGDNZqRbhrhcsDvWQVe6apQHygltklqt5uE76j3Q27Ndxt7bzYmtZxrRnqPcCVZ5hlBkVK85nzQ6J//4cfXRk53enRdDO8yak2lpZdkD8sXWBR8xwA9J9RxZx1J/KiqPil1GRnWorLDOnPMxTB/yh0HcWvhBWrX4oDRPQm2dbcVHWKX53EEQsWpOneUY8YQ2WiyxokPde2XGZeh4uOC1hO4p5QSk6avhDlUcUSP9sTQP2b+bPlAN724lNADgd6gRwzCgsti1V4ibo8nBdJphXGbNVnnNVURkiIJrEKkB32UuNSDTM6pHXUtBdCA9rRewVBU15dGW+roTeShQFYq1yxab2aFY73RJqzvSErX20TB1aCsur4NBaZl80IxpHg4LCnHoD7qFyB+nrVr67LLh4HMH1/QKpvIHS5rMq1tCAaAO1HqhJFnTmF2qsuynyKBMTmidHQ/LF6L8qehAd1Y3LU9+Van9kHm6+dSpzOPJsX4S+YD3Zy4A56K5Mk/R7MkSmgb+hYxcXDjyH0aoSar1uWV6oMfUMCv517pK4ISehDI33jeQQbb/takmBud3HDjikzxK0RoUmhE+VjgZnO8ZFQLX/lIVVBO5zmbDcHZLaZ65q6PaAIN9aZ2xQW6agsW48PxxY0zOquKCPNcoC0S6cO0VLcb04XwQqadYKH8yumBojHHeI0QONrVKIQsHsGbxQe8Ribbw/F/nTAm1c4PRJ4qqmxHMO6GS7KerQNCFFvabGiwyd2rGWXaxQOEIzIHjAmRPpFUM1if7BliUqWpUkbELDZ5odaQYiQ3+vWOnWaatjFFxRUR0qFtS+qqBF0JPatMIMPaljczEUFXlTHL0EJWHW+w1hNRMB5rsFrn5YoKDqn0+szVGZ8dgAWk+qcjSYKmoYO9ZY7XuhVXWqxVSBqhYN3Hq0PPpkI2YK+Xws02VhCgqr7hoIsmbMCyKC3dmXJ4Ajk3FbOu74//0xUkWrBkqIDqYRtJru4T4WJSoyIVMOKU18CH5YIFHwnQxSZrD6tJ5eT71UClijUdJlrTptq7UW6L4x2DA3SFWHciV+IhAxognHfVbIZaDNDllytqSeRE72PbkYNlRw1mA79C6FLBWPrfbJIYFdeTinom+gmoJ8vy1RRjPx6zBdfRslD3aWmNOfscLft8yhBb47gB4gWJftKeQjBdk99UvoKc+Mv3OH/CdboGAGgY+Oc6JpzKSNtdT9mu3RPJCPMIcdVI+hPCK7KvTEyFZr8l0mqEb0TIos0ntg5zBa+5kZbpUy20F8UThrYIDW8O0WhvNanEsuKIJ5rua0fJP/sEDUom/tIJ0EPq8Qayd6mmp2QXmBUtK8nfcFtUZiUmUgq0oZZjYDlJCGeYNAYURfPqKkJC2Fqyx00YtAyQycgjNTplLQx7/CUVF0CLUNg8zT2HYMLVjHQRY3aH2OiFWOAP12ayTxBDEnxrYv21Yy3uh7709joR18i2RogSQet2x1TbA3RI9X9iFCqmRH02J2aFI1d6Ag6vONNXmrbI9eQYWzJWCiSCuj0bqp2kqwqDB6weQnyFNZnE9NFIIdQWhkWnaBlbMFYV/jgGluYeoH5jmpWY64UGN5Dck2iOHd/AnJjO+wnEGHwKji4LibqowOzYgGlUzOB83z2SYaVbRu4QZQPPeoA3dsGnMvMFvfjLYawUuTWZtEwkvc+b18jEpWpV2QCKQo0wbRCLQr00IXuI1LqAUvpwbavp2QubhfVNA2RdEcFF8H3VwscLSa9y1jEYv277DcCg09JZXmTdB+UfhYQIfWo2iKSKvGRMLkZGo0uHpqrjd0ht4iXb6p0TlF9iQJIH1kM+oPxFlkOSkj59akMLxfHx3DPkJTWW04US2vh0jnOqE88/68c6wrV0Tv8jUJHuRgBRa7SxMS2H7b8Qi9ieGdkKYkg8tg6gklZaDjGapmQ8jXhlCJOujZxCHsNL2QMn2OQ6adFZjmLirI6wGiFEKrOSHq3GK70bc2vuogso1T+7SPfQQ5B3+12+zKbs49B1d33R0535eK0IIqF2tIEWzYjeyA5cgFVu+VDPqDnx79NwtMxqUW2mtQ6P2lqWwD0slblT7a9b0fgGvJjAFzcbn+pJGlh7Y+ol+EoFQ3t6Q8GxUtRjPzzNagmMXquom3vl9VRlNAamY1M8OqN6PZKc1LCJK4DfJkNTVmGoM6UC1ETz0TZEyXde+9CfTo83e9Zhx0l2pp6BFTBPJLLxoyRZgzK2rGwEG7kJGsnUWfwc6jjOpw1XRA446I5tjY2yvybL9VlQ6xm75lqc1qFfnVDrU2r5295Z1LdAjrvinj0NF4WCuQMENHvTSzYrOLIq7gBq4cqmodmGT6lUwDCaoleXuyHDWM8nSq/G6Qw9uTmlpLLUpgdNqMl2Y0URbMTCgCnVYnotK0Ei2qHULXFsHWRieVmZyNseHT/vVuatO8UbWKIkMsspKz8lGsIlnjxE7dnummp21gd7IJ1PDCueWZA4hzz6+FFVbThc0hC0RYI6d2bD8tEJRbkvDbF4AnS0NRQTubmILgmeuDBfkqtHQw3a2HKBsXuObxXC+hQa+V1HtNQ03Zm+TBMmfUtharcDPxX6pRDozLmm7LYKnukz8nJvTZqQKIXe4Dz/WcCeOjFyqFqEMGpaAFbhrZiBzn0nzXbe1z/hw9ondbgFTzS+II+SJaq5e74IiqXtUhgo18SPG7NLaeRghlkju62vaEdkI/QH8WRgn6hLYYkXlB7pC6C2fkd9Sk7ypYDY0CvqOHomq4Bga/swNWLpiItL7mxtSgAobQ9+TJ6xt6jL1lXPRpUGTbenvmlZJ8w+wLMWpNRS0QVmgZd3qprnBzDikl5AQu0YNAk4hOCC/uBlvw6DKszSb1FS1KazZoa8Rp+HyqbAgFdXuBAGHOJXgBuggirEI+44ev7y/7MtWOfr11jpaZgTk4lND72IMqzRY53qehy8TYuzYsCGU4mfc5QE44Xu/SIWJ+JK/HQAA6Iqqn+jA+qanUopsoVkJhBprZe74WmiXnvmezcSr4BV/vBqoseQxQCfGpaJh2aO3YDCJ06KOKowUQwZfeNjXdHdBHiwa7qElt42YPJ9iWUnWc6bD2uwXK2vvTO0tZUEqI3WrYrSsJBVBPAH82d6y4Ot4NK2XavFP5OU+y0AktcU3ClemBo7Ma5+jmaRGaoa57CZLcidWGqjgndmG+nwfNhMTd9W5kpbb11fwqr+etzX2eo1FPZ/d9g1Ira47Z+N4MhpSnqN69hE4Mgmzws21uJ6Aa1JVWrpiyN/9GFpjJX/e3z7HYMVa8AOFjM5mGZ49UHYxYIDgUYdb3VU/BZBn+AxOySzDp26bdQ5nlWZEbvmObd604kvb2y8VfcwD70+hFdHXMnj2ePH8YMsPrvzOEaOm9ihzX4ICAUUprMAQ1BKOsAWcBio+aUmWUqO0gMBOSn+wifB5pnB+jKB+KXTJJqIcMdgu0o+7E900r1rJkC96uHr3+pEyuF8QideoXWq+ww1RAES+Wk3X6w6mzxyFz9MEPdqLx5m2zCBslZPyT1lTbOS+cdrambhQjYX6DXy5chdZ9PYeFZ+8bzRsuU1Z7Frc2at/Ymb39+DJe7E2JwHNIol/DZDtTm+RmX+lm+8oB2qdKDnx5OLf3DHg8cfAwe1Jn+ttNaOCkf36sJitLAa0+d/OV7oU2G9a4oigutRxaRBZRQB85bvcQHiAmZyj3NkEcm2FXtbvcuzthk87FdVBsAq+sqiw8DyKIwoBcMUs1zUUaj6lntgPt491znzhATmjfrW8zZ6+Xp7L9chHgj8ifsFiSMZFv5+MwnlG2dNmjHmzWrIo0Zh+brNUcSIV51PPaWsG2CI3Q69A4gjIxq2pSDW1aBtEKSj3+CGVmSPPsGvEMiq5Up7HJQ2VnmkWhM4XrZs7uZ7LN4ILY4XbBD5HfJl/ifoFB8+Ab3kDM5Z4lKvi/BUURrPHK/HB56xiVl9uwQ9U5jmEGdBprrU5DVWekafsAqPwFjAFClDdPOUXMbcMgaocYYfSkcK2/7MftmOooqBu5f2GYmnVKQcIJmmkCv19HJVleIQLvziSKPZixhk6IVN+U1GwXR5jo7MD/LXupfNSqfRbGSnKeTssozRV8ZZAWP5c15EweKMBP2kUm2vS8KIIgz6qKob+w20BcUI1XW0Q1HPK1aRDSznwwzI5KlYYsDnwjK6qjLnwK10Ce+FUpspMeZWHRXm3W5OXKbL1IaFpLGPdDraCLRj4yhflrz5OuRMQXJyXr/zv93z1BP0uZFyfPHimIQnigOpLiLhfeuC3slG1fC7tVGO78iICET4pfWpPgVds0A5Q7RFSlwlVWZOgoCjjEUYReYsHl9bSj6QVTCE2taMa+FtkUpWrmH+kSUJCVbkVcpXnKFfZRmeWAz0s0md54nYtyEaUUCzP/TMFbai1dnPx/kEEqwnMqzqy7RKrdIisOqGpGlLFIr0+7aVsijYNdgly206vMcETeDD6P+7hEA5f7q1Bx1I8jMvKHQd0AxLTP+yGooFeyRpNl/NEU5+a2JbG0GNqGUsj6FrLyYzqzrJBxCulKLA5FPsrgR8Xv41G75dCoqc/DwXt083ETL3DqWgP8rPD9JK7GHWWQt9VDl0gtQMveh56xuw5IqJVrmqblKs6RVx51a9nuPXMX2bUQssBl9NG/xRcbrC6YZaKhdVDm5Y2S6efOy/O4Wy5eN837WvAHffu34f0t9FS4YNwhOt/gEFdDURWnOoTpfDxC7USh9dADYlEWlq670bY/+QDWxU4IHjfFKVJqqZvOSssrdJ/OUx2LrLFT21AVTU+zzEEmQCP4dbr3StoPkfD7xrCfpczeW1NPp6CoVAYOu6bOIqHLDz8d6/N42O/LArFXBbF3t5ehoWvuVOWxz82HmJ2dp3meyGtbQm5rdg3G1VAUKlQcI97Daerk+ecyANUrVkkoHCVD7mRHQF/XmhcUUS12RF0f3jeC/5RI/X3zUdT3qy1Fkd2wiedur+0qgFyzUiFQONuQc3NYfakmXSsz4SD9hLmyVnmkpJGXB4vvyKZcKL7JtlevDoIAdlm7MdKplOdScp9+mIUpesVHEcDpoVsfpjd1GPgExo/C/rYP8DycLxX7PnhKnQfwkx35ckX2O9ngM73DkpSTi3Qrj3LC3IujQr5MvzkEFCk03FXsmQeobE8JbvBkbO0mSr0VcMQuq0D1MiNYRYXyyxCKeYFqCw2Ydlyr7dwDASVwJEVz/LAaCaB+f5vcvT9N0PRvXkdqhjcztbXdraYys0lFOyvDsaxAeIci3rcsqr08Si1dnh8Mu7mOraxQQrexP+3AXDu54qGnFVjI7I6gUiJe+Lau4H+2gj5kLyLBimKKm3jcX1oIorztBTX+ijLU5GiRYJpx15iz768InMfd6TPzfWADd5QyXxod+PrUvBs4DytWKBEc66wbGy5Stry4nPOhnjoPvKnMvcjYFaad6umacvB8QhwpO/9luWgULzJtTyhREeVKiB444I61vjy6AIWmRhQ5QVgwCVnwS7ZhDRQJfjvrRd7sfUtAqk85cip7gs8zYHblgulwJrLSu4UETBHWI5RTuzv0VS7CLRzRT03N89lzfZ9Y18mbFrXjijqplSIHUexsEfpMce3IFejwOUaiemhlbeoHD0Nbx6GIY4TZ7mQTsgxiyC808SlHiPW2gITxe6o9Vr09jBMo1NrLhfbrOaq2nfzIZJbuhzlC5P2lb9GonxQKGzleYfjRAYrt4NJhCHfteIAbFNL182Xptc2Kh+jfNnaQGczTNG5y/TTqoa9CG8R71DRK4xXTeFnVqARHvaJoOTOuozymq4FjPjXbeBjlvfE23vMo4X8Zvrl/skP4lfeFZ1JPAz7VKFMO1xUENIanRGaa1C0ceqijKGVpTCcGsuMBjlU7haJWEb15Xh23vbKlSKAaiKgImdCzaJzqvt8ap+vOj3zf9Mx8Alm1O1EYpthUisypnO53+9VYaE7r/W6gS+GS27to1Irzg30bmpGtxDy8tvrK832/rZrRN7ysmaD34TLGqC9CpNp0yOKq0Emq6rqo4qSomvCYraGnYBy3orVXm1zoOvTV3i+HbVSGcTDZwvYySHxZC7ibN5smTzbifadNvmxy2L2/1a9Hz/mJyKhnIPAaY+UmRRamXhkz22amF+H/shoadwfDeUK1GHhecB79KowdQc4yxIlvukPtS6PuMGOj2aWixYLphQNUvo//ee02q85cBFeI75SgS6qzOKLi++GqxWYJL9/HLag+lT9V7QUtbmNsmXm0cpJM4cI2irLw8vZY4NrLyJ/0vRfmB9hPWWDHV8h21C8+jNOa6zXg6myvZWntBiKP9RY8bZVRdtAOXO88GhlFgbgRorV74C+Vmg391Pv90Yb88PozjJunxpYTfns9RYFbe3XDFS8QCh3cietBUXbQbicfCQEHP89++abRwVDtmasAHTKNUcfy7BSaShaZlnI+E+WCdvfhe+uQKm3WdEcTCVU9BDbjLRvhrel+YfmG7y7gmUeCBjB7UrVHcQFfc8Ks8GBvuq6rHyNRoJee+/mRrfalnXYWiw6REdtWBV2mUIkx5LUeRB7wYQDFaDlPM7q7UVx34RelkJXDLPQvwdU0HneW2q381Ou2Gx6eEO/jbwy9WvZ8UpTE0BeeEq7yAjqzjvMhOLXmhHbhBOO1PqDvN257KD3FaEzz6EXno7dqofJjbRyd7SB8V4k8ShlT5s26X0kwQmOfqNHhA1IeSvVN8+95PHcEYj/cLo47anpPVOa9K7EbX62MC3TTmcF4cVC8cmVNMSpmjqwc6RB1DVm77kGdnXA0D+J4Hbsu9HnUtzkqlRexwryMUQCvD8pkBdTC9P36qAHL43jvM5F6PqfPiagwt+FihWFQFqepD65dHGvRLgXInVVAzbYGKOO0gqCKms6zUd9QegxJ4zHXL+Jd4BU+xWz4p29ufjS8Xsn8K3u6Q9KIOfx44/CrzP2Pagl4/twVsXIzuMRopivkO65MCMGu6O3soe8Mi4OnH/qRKcagNGuY9BjKbW9WMAD3Au75VRnkdQF1U0BLn0bNK6Oqi8lGqyu2h8R7nGmAovI+Z8a+Adf1e+dDlnUtN8EbZa+TFnb96AcQqizXEjbqEwxdi04P7I9ishN+8HdQdXsfMRqiONl6yYMqW3klnHGyHmzyAHGHqvHsVy6bzQizGzbWFQLxpNjAj+HHe/n2rzxh5wdsRwev01sycT49o0u4u023yKW8rfWuYGFfQ50zNYLShICjxz56ecWr674cw2NK8abguBKytt9zFLBJrZzN0x7NlrCzO/+AruYwnSep32cC4NcP9x2K1xdr9j80+6e2LTdJlcEe6qBJcaCJ0phrJpjKb8Y1pYYcUW/ngapWxjEIWZtdkYjQcRkrz3jI1ih5ZIxJJMOGTndumgP5JVoqL1VREdRqR/Lf7+eQAYLQH6/omV6v5HVPx7thUuxV8szFlpFYnc4CEOmB7niV2yqrttZpwlTUGjXJkjVfLhHgslPYxbYJMgcAfX6OKG+aokaAXy5TjlNZMh2REC/mHj3pUcPtuDcdKaQ6/DRNfNU3wbbxp1b46PnOjao1oPV92FrE+gins4Oo0CxWR60e7KOMSC9FheaVKt0oQjXNImXlI214SufZqs4MwhysspzqLEXykguqU2LShEXDijP1iP/xYpD2OxK/Yl2l33/VPfhSDGlLDdQgsyBQvYN11WO0fV5zsIXPG+ouvlnTeTk/4hGVJHLN4bmSz0S25nYxA3Vu2rb4BDpjcaL4R94q2SEZck6Izwno1FhGXYw+V+h3bLf044sXjdHfKJMnEqooXcf+ywij0tPnrjLeB/KZr9+YKAo75fV2Fxu9smvBuFYwXVfy3oUuURMdbeBYHae88GQetRkyz0VJxe/YQRAXtoBcTCzEHQz6CnbM/rhXqqIkp9z5cE+UXRDwlVdffV+Hv36suDjClp45fzAjau7jzTuOZwfLOs7dvcOcIu8t/mavBZIu57XGVFMk3GGbvIrRZ+aaJbGeGtEpl+wYCJJY0Va+b7fk6bfJvgCGdhGB2OFm/6jVAlxlg3hEJ/gdC5DdvhCqd3222bTkXvf2ceJzTzhdExLKh/loWvSNR03S0t1uqPORrRhRWO2jJIhsO8wNYcnrCh3qM2WaxtBQdzKe7ydEiwHdSJdSE8512ItkfUUNYvFiOjnW+BGmFzAhM1dyMqkGS4xmvboUvnvnNjz0uv9AdPq9w4kM60nqFTWz3K8dTc9ijS6cT7VZPOdaHK4SNB5REKA7rOiTSFMJCC0bPcWYtSmiOqrqJid/6jt/dPyi9agFFzPId49vF3FFLJYA6pBQR8KFlqCg91WkC4p9YwM/RrkQYb+df2bLnkghM6SxcPgB7r2SNiPlA62dssQztJVtuiSuhWd6IUUcD1tqZalbtq+jlW+putmOGfw6yTO52baeaAlcO6BguZdPcanlGdWtRz14n+CkDQ+LPr2PTaiLDJuY0ZuyYPwL+Q+y9iT9VKWWJ3cxuJjERePa9Iqcm70fKZ5ihl5tq2oi1p4Zceas84ZZechqEU/7EUC0O9x2VL2DCUeoLf8iKHfR37gxPMhJ+DUZpgXGdubr7pZ+yJPz+Di8hcewxb10muUeWSfSZPK2ns97gK5QnOX39GediJix1I47Nzs2vshzo2wy4fAUhROB520LQ10mBX4dIFtDmUNkUCY1Tc6hRDE6m7lDnePTVUklagtgat6Oky9Ryw/BUprrPdOpp8Wx9NsKrwTRJODV51Mlayq0vOSkI5NhMhFF7ouro5m5zoKS4IpRN7bKV0GU/fq8z9LfsXM3NXStRucZlBAGYU1yOXJHnbuu76iy64dcknVgXkGHuRaj+clRXPSNoaE01M57CeqpjbFzf/vNithpN87s6oKvRpRmhqYI7EZjvrAMLiY4ZlNV5H49bAjB6RS8DlErjx0CveYMk838/cwqsk6LXtG28vGppPL8pXkzyvRIDVIWT65/577TV5uQLtUz3X4o2PEyryjNrQKK9MtXjKF2THkFdOdyHo7esT3vqF3eAFuRM0iSS4kGp4Dd2NOT1LKsYU52ktyGa0w/cuvzuaNdSzVzD+dzFZlbspdxiHP78/oYe/a2qMB2yduy9dp85+CGuv1+IPwon++5hB13q9tpi8wr6LqTNj4elSwc6HwE6kpBvcrGNq8oBRM7ejtrEMoM2p9fS4rUuuZUVPi47bLLhrNUKf7vXe9mL/HM2olIJlDCxRdT0tUWFxbPczkb0a3tyQSXm8TyCcnoelRRMWS6qWlJCKUO53w79TBW5RBAvW9ljNcXabFd3T62Vb8iZqlsFgghNb7eP7mAiTxTcv9M+rv3ZLaLiACKwogbkym0qs8dor48HdXx4O9WN82EEyAdgJ3kMA2J4aWpqKQ8ws7vLnQFmkEBqI9xLNCL9E7Fx46GRKf2Hk9z2ITwmKu+RXC4uSTY+YdY6ddYft5Htwv1cB8tplwoqCto71+6J5a5bv1boZkTTHAw18wx6hGW49xkSso2dtzWd+f75FXNbPtp2qywogtTH+7PcyCDyzMzxr99/yBSYkH6uW2ndX6IhtOcPQfu20aa15DlMq0DH/PWvRG2/kp3BF8Zvq/wuX2ZpTTx1BjBTeslsRTiZr4760OjCFwZv2H4r7FBEGfC1XpgWvHb114y2ownPIDWLz8rD68igfvCVMhcW6KrJb/ui5/VIC/i+nDaTZexqijrjj6Yf+/2rGF/W5Ek4WFWOAXK/Q6ebh+80Gs4wHKO6g8lFw9j/+gUa1KgH4AsqcMcVeaHrqb1ZjdcR7UDEQzL8gbVWW9SZzGxVJlwg6KbC3AgoVZb+tU6x6nePSoSiWBG+d3LOPvuqRfn26E92Ip0Vo4SZt1dxyAvwKYKvhmd0PX1l9uEiBYW7N4enRIrZpfyzcrNitP9X3Pn7gwCh7qrT4+C5eDaUALtJYbxf0g9PA2+9Jw3sgH2fCV8d2dGCJiCaSm3SHIEu48+WVuka7NkrtD8IJ5Ki9jNdpy6tlw+vZJu9vA4NUc96M1jhFqVywjg/JCw4D9kC18M/+EjcFUx3ZvXaXZ7/3xN9/CpVreduTeEs3qbafFw7MZq4MMABJKPo7lXD1oNt/jQ8HU6PxWzAjfg8pB34be+vsrD0erNj6HgF+PhDvT1TZsdn5QVFS57LDmdZ5rf+h8/xcE/bo6W4whblc72yNHC7r5PNE6/llfIPRRHkiLRR7m0/KFyCd4n/74Z5yW6VeWpPf9F5wG6LOUs6GbgOzuCOOApYPK1wBWFkpKPZMHh7q5l1accwBo17WMXOBbtXIp7PZ/U2f2Uq3g9LGifnlMe71OVQxr9Izr6cPq6GflFAPrrEMCJLsH+jISgif0wQAVMFitIed4Hb9O9KxW5Kf+9PsR1m3+qYD6G/nRhbS1bl+rb/VNXYHlZq8f55eM9afjsuZw/Z4ICnt0tQptZzt2j/8HoVuKzspjziiyRrezpFmyvPgAABeZJREFUDcGjjPjw1Cfndwd/kAL1KPccrmn7pP5tedWuwmwELvmLHaUOkFd6u7wGmpReWS6CYmlzHmOL2pY+mnZeMieVWQDyQ4MH+hn/4A7spxE81ip01PVgi/b+/GzgTOnmGvKi8expUydoC7oSgq6G0zL0Gtj6UEafG5hUQDdLy+6j7YJE6gQS58vI/7PbZL8vlfxpeM/bM3JKvHavXGcyBAAnm+moIx5uRtU4j4q6HeqauiuKxcY53o60jE2ac//wwYKJymBBOCc9m8ckJv/p2tafhv/I8Q5dj/XVenZYGiRLXr5LcrhGb6nzTf0nhL826co9na11Ch62DyoypVQmn+O+9O8DLMWZ/IEBXI7icYUqysH4ySgCuodA63wnq6fS+SR5d0xB5d4v1rmJOuJpOjuzorbjfWQ/Vh5HIC3cnCuA7CmMLR6B+J+M4pFLUzqy//HAh+nwmGbWidVghDrYMN2sijk0N/iKkRdNEWa5nzUUstnFFNlMTUIKrfesmOyLPMisyX4hjD2XF/K/sT76jkejkHwSTSPRyJ6AvKi3N8d2ik1Um06gKH4zNsUQd1sYs0DbzOtJZGPuw6sSls1O4jn0OnV5BlN/ShrZ/54/5+E9YabPQa3EkGlfRFvRWd8eP/z3ti488eUnyZ96VErS7trgZTB6E0zEn7GCTP5YtiSH8W/1y9cIvtsqIb016RC+vv5W6ZvHYMVWxmjkP8in47tAJkUm3Bxdy1dQzP939mE5OLzcQ/xq3l8reTvY9fuY8lpkQ3X8hZLZXW6r7NrJo+YdL88z+J82xED+3JENfX5d82/s+/PQX5U2hBkhb70o16w23x69+Brax53z3w50Mb+kTcyW/ZnMuz/HZ99M7NHFZLJS4ONbvG9I/EdfVdw5DJvzq2j8Bq5/iK/fjOlF/678w7eYUyrWb8ft3o2gWMSPhmfe4H/m//00iu+1svSsNujFjnI29m+kQL4bGxjc3ffyTMP/O+bvebgyxP1qxMRUZ8TDVNti8T/1z1gRsHZPFHqjINXdP4+//O7QLi+Dq6ksMJawwsYX9PBnCoAafoxzwPLN6XEBh7c3uPzLkb0oa5C+joYqfU0xXkI3TWu8RJ9yrF+QlxSrNwfZWornIrT4poVI/M/iu/98cDi/+mp0Gj4vs5d39wXkrmvOM0aJ4KnaqD3KWEYqARGF61kJ25dx+PT8T+Lzfziq7+qlq63FqFBwdjUaIPdUdhMy7id12H1IqCMMrR0zNpZIdEJdp7kTGaKc/HUlgQ/9X9HTPwzzKepzG8p4GjTUqFLHXTuiVkruk1FcP/Xvei8jPavdtahR4qgfSqVQ0T37jE6n5mshS86/m//7t0Nt33UtdaWSs4jOrTyGg7jE/hScIZLJEzXDtSOp9ZbJ/n/ylckts/h6lBTm+G8NAW8U+ZYudFjJXE0vJwbd185DkhYyRgglO4BNZ3ypjFiBdMO2x/BbGGf8eFLiL48QTt9acypeExBZAWkNh4ny65iDcWjbWpYPFKAO3RhyirUqoqM01fclPOLw91yj3x3W8BSsWAxzmgZoVDotTR3kbs+eyBLUBC/pHno+Zy9G6Cz1TYFSOsHwQ/3Sf2ToO2jf+xDrnM5P74L8AzDPV/mmUqW0qDJ+POCBw2lh966v1n9yiCO8gMJPrwrD24vWMr1ELtAR96fW5iDw2+EMcPwXyPZfD36E6vdxmbWx/hmrIUQ6/nd1y/NA/bD9D4Ffewsv48v/7ZHSZd1/XQlYOdwa/P0PDKpO6t+1s/7HY4UuSfjfs+u/MXgFkL1tfvL7g+5Yq/5fi97zUOnyr/hfywytbmv8TxHva2gernEw/1geNcSkML4I4v8PDUtBXj3Eq3+8SM3OzgDfRLn/x4bIKaE9eOI3Gc0SHpX8dOFfkuH/yljLOcMUG/wN1kl5lFHBwXWI/nIc978yVGHI6QNcpiHzPSMw7dXKNgPD87OhO9zST8r/nwj3ajjCjvy6ncbL+VYruh+nNvMje/2fjI/dxv8HnJT9PBULHO4AAAAASUVORK5CYII=)
2023 Orbis Pictus Award Winner
Blue by
Discover a world of creativity and tradition in this fascinating picture book that explores the history and cultural significance of the color blue. From a critically acclaimed author and an award-winning illustrator comes a vivid, gorgeous book for readers of all ages. NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY NPR For centuries, blue powders and dyes were some of the most sought-after materials in the world. Ancient Afghan painters ground mass quantities of sapphire rocks to use for their paints, while snails were harvested in Eurasia for the tiny amounts of blue that their bodies would release. And then there was indigo, which was so valuable that American plantations grew it as a cash crop on the backs of African slaves. It wasn't until 1905, when Adolf von Baeyer created a chemical blue dye, that blue could be used for anything and everything--most notably that uniform of workers everywhere, blue jeans. With stunning illustrations by Caldecott Honor Artist Daniel Minter, this vibrant and fascinating picture book follows one color's journey through time and across the world, as it becomes the blue we know today.
2023 Orbis Pictus Award Honor Books
Choosing Brave by
A picture book biography of the mother of Emmett Till, and how she channeled grief over her son's death into a call to action for the civil rights movement. Mamie Till-Mobley is the mother of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was brutally murdered while visiting the South in 1955. His death became a rallying point for the civil rights movement, but few know that it was his mother who was the catalyst for bringing his name to the forefront of history. In Choosing Brave, Angela Joy and Janelle Washington offer a testament to the power of love, the bond of motherhood, and one woman's unwavering advocacy for justice. It is a poised, moving work about a woman who refocused her unimaginable grief into action for the greater good. Mamie fearlessly refused to allow America to turn away from what happened to her only child. She turned pain into change that ensured her son's life mattered. Timely, powerful, and beautifully told, this thorough and moving story has been masterfully crafted to be both comprehensive and suitable for younger readers.
Fighting for YES! by
A picture book biography celebrating the life and work of disability rights activist and icon Judith Heumann, highlighting one of her landmark achievements--leading the historic 504 Sit-in in 1977 From a very young age, Judy Heumann heard the word NO. When she wanted to attend public school, the principal said, "NO." When she wanted her teaching license, the New York Board of Education said, "NO." Judy and people with disabilities everywhere were tired of hearing "NO." In the 1970s an important disability rights law, Section 504 of The Rehabilitation Act of 1973, was waiting to be signed. Judy and other disability rights activists fought for "YES!" They held a sit-in until Section 504 was signed into law. Section 504 laid the foundation for the Americans with Disabilities Act, which was established thanks in large part to the ongoing work of Judy and her community. Along with a personal reflection from Judy herself, this picture book biography captures the impact and influence of one of America's greatest living activists.
Hardcourt by
Celebrate seventy-five years of the NBA in this exciting and beautifully illustrated middle grade account of the legendary athletes, coaches, and teams that changed basketball forever and created a national phenomenon enjoyed by millions today. The National Basketball Association is the biggest league for one of the nation's most beloved sports. Played in massive stadiums by athletes who are now household names, with millions of fans around the world, basketball has truly become a global phenomenon. But it didn't always exist the way we know it now. Follow basketball from its humble beginnings as a casual indoor pastime played in gyms and colleges through its evolution for seventy-five years of hardcourt history. The NBA gained legions of fans thanks to the introduction of rules like the three-point line and the twenty-four second clock, and teams such as the Harlem Globetrotters, who paved the way for desegregated teams. Discover the story of the legendary Olympic Dream Team of 1992 and beloved players like Larry Bird, Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, and LeBron James, along with the early game-changers who made basketball what it is today. With the expert storytelling of veteran sportswriter Fred Bowen and stunning full-page illustrations from award-winning artist James E. Ransome, experience the biggest and best basketball league in the world, the NBA.
Seen and Unseen by
This important work of nonfiction features powerful images of the Japanese American incarceration captured by three photographers--Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams--along with firsthand accounts of this grave moment in history. Three months after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the incarceration of all Japanese and Japanese Americans living on the West Coast of the United States. Families, teachers, farm workers--all were ordered to leave behind their homes, their businesses, and everything they owned. Japanese and Japanese Americans were forced to live under hostile conditions in incarceration camps, their futures uncertain. Three photographers set out to document life at Manzanar, an incarceration camp in the California desert: Dorothea Lange was a photographer from San Francisco best known for her haunting Depression-era images. Dorothea was hired by the US government to record the conditions of the camps. Deeply critical of the policy, she wanted her photos to shed light on the harsh reality of incarceration. Toyo Miyatake was a Japanese-born, Los Angeles-based photographer who lent his artistic eye to portraying dancers, athletes, and events in the Japanese community. Imprisoned at Manzanar, he devised a way to smuggle in photographic equipment, determined to show what was really going on inside the barbed-wire confines of the camp. Ansel Adams was an acclaimed landscape photographer and environmentalist. Hired by the director of Manzanar, Ansel hoped his carefully curated pictures would demonstrate to the rest of the United States the resilience of those in the camps. In Seen and Unseen, Elizabeth Partridge and Lauren Tamaki weave together these photographers' images, firsthand accounts, and stunning original art to examine the history, heartbreak, and injustice of the Japanese American incarceration. AWARENESS OF AMERICAN HISTORY: This impactful book engages with an underrepresented topic in American history, and highlights important and timely themes like primary sources, censorship, and visual literacy. SUBSTANTIAL BACKMATTER: Featuring eighteen pages of backmatter, including an Author's and Illustrator's Note, footnotes, photo credits, biographies of each photographer, and more. Perfect for: Parents Educators Librarians
The Science of Light by
With a striking glow-in-the-dark cover, this intriguing science book invites young readers to find light all around. An Orbis Pictus Honor Book Sun shines. Stars twinkle. Aurora borealis glimmers. Dramatic paintings of lightning, fire, fireworks and more introduces the sources of light-both natural and manmade-and encourage children to look around and observe. Kids will gasp in surprise at the beautiful glow-in-the-dark cover, and the bold spreads within. Margaret Peot's distinctive art style captures the elusive nature of light. Bioluminescent squid, fireflies and phytoplankton reveal light sources in living things. Fireworks and light bubbles sparkle on the page. This foundational science book will kindle curiosity in physical science and the natural world. The simple text makes science accessible to all ages. Toddlers will delight in the colorful art at storytime. As they grow, kids will return to this nonfiction favorite and discover new ideas each time. Science vocabulary and definitions are included in the back of the book.
2023 Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Books
A River's Gifts by
A mighty river. A long history. For thousands of years, the Elwha river flowed north to the sea. The river churned with salmon, which helped feed bears, otters, and eagles. The Lower Elwha Klallam Tribe, known as the Strong People located in the Pacific Northwest, were grateful for the river's abundance. All that changed in the 1790s when strangers came who did not understand the river's gifts. The strangers built dams, and the environmental consequences were disastrous. Sibert honoree Patricia Newman and award-winning illustrator Natasha Donovan join forces to tell the story of the Elwha, chronicling how the Strong People successfully fought to restore the river and their way of life.
The Adventures of Dr. Sloth by
True or false: Sloths are lazy. Answer: False! True or false: Sloths are mysterious. Answer: True! Scientists are only beginning to discover how sloths live in the wild. Sloths spend most of their lives in trees, and until recently scientists didn't know very much about them. But Dr. Rebecca Cliffe was determined to discover their secrets. To find out more, she fitted sloths with special backpacks containing a device to track their activity. She learned how to climb trees in the Costa Rican jungle so she could take sloth hair samples and test their DNA. And she's helped create sloth crossings and plant trees to ensure the sloths aren't trapped in shrinking territories. Along the way, she earned the nickname Dr. Sloth. Discover the story of how an animal-loving kid in England grew up to become one of the world's leading sloth scientists, and learn how Dr. Sloth is using her discoveries to help keep sloths safe. Author and professional wildlife photographer Suzi Eszterhas brings readers up close to the action with engaging text and fantastic photos. Scan QR codes throughout the book to see her videos of sloths in the wild!
Crash from Outer Space by
Award-winning author Candace Fleming sets her gaze on the mystery at Roswell, New Mexico, and the "crash from outer space" that set the United States on edge for decades. In 1947, during the early years of the Cold War, a field in Roswell, New Mexico was disturbed by a strange crash and smattering of debris. Some say the bodies of extraterrestrial beings were strewn across the ground, that a UFO had crashed there, and that the government was covering up the evidence in a massive conspiracy. But what really happened at Roswell? The infamous "crash from outer space" has become a fixture in our culture, inspiring a surge of UFO sightings and conspiracy theories. But at its heart is the story of military scientists, a city on the brink of the Cold War, and a debris field scattered with mystery. What was it that actually crashed at Roswell? Were alien bodies found? Was it Russian spies? Secret military technology? And did the government try to hide what they found? An electrifying exploration of one of the most thrilling mysteries in recent history, by Sibert Award winning author Candace Fleming.
Caves by
A masterful exploration of one of nature's most curious ecosystems, Caves is a magical journey into subterranean wonders perfect for fans of Jason Chin. In the shade of the woods is a hill with a hole. Beaconing black. Goosebump chills. Excitement and fear battle. What will win? You want to go in... do you dare? Using evocative storytelling, Nell Cross Beckerman urges children to explore one of nature's most curious ecosystems. Dramatic, poetic language guides kids through different caves around the world while nonfiction text allows for deeper understanding. Debut illustrator Kalen Chock's stunning illustrations will astonish readers, as each new page brings another delightful surprise. Extensive backmatter includes an author's note, best practices for safe cave exploration, and additional information about the caves featured in the book. An ideal choice for nature lovers, future explorers, and fans of Jason Chin and Kate Messner.
One Wish: Fatima Al-Fihri and the World's Oldest University by
A Horn Book selection for "Picture Book Biographies for Women's History Month 2022" Fatima had one wish . . . Fatima al-Fihri loved to learn. She wanted to know everything, like how birds flew, why the sky was blue, and how flowers grew. But more than anything, she wanted a school for all, where anyone could study and become whatever they wanted, like teachers, scientists, and doctors. As she grew older, Fatima carried her one wish inside her, through good times and bad. Fueled by her faith and her determination, she worked hard to make her one wish come true. For over a thousand years, Fatima's one wish--her school--served students and scholars from around the globe, and it continues to do so today! With lyrical text by M. O. Yuksel (author of In My Mosque) and stunning illustrations by Mariam Quraishi, this true-life portrait of an extraordinary Muslim woman shows the importance of never giving up on your dreams and how we all have the power to change the world for the better. "This is a well-crafted picture book biography, especially given that so little is known of al-Fihri's early years. The focus on her legacy, as well as the back matter with time lines and translations, is a strong pull for readers. Who could not love a book about a girl whose first spoken word was "read" Add this biography to any collection looking to be well rounded when it comes to women's history."--School Library Journal, starred review "An inspiring profile of a tenacious trailblazer that highlights the power of knowledge. Quraishi's transporting gouache-and-watercolor illustrations furnish a nuanced portrayal of the early medieval Arab world." --Kirkus "Advocating for persistence and education, this picture book adroitly demonstrates how al-Fihri's Muslim faith inspired her community care." --Publishers Weekly "In a text rich with imagery, Yuksel (In My Mosque) tells the true story of Fatima al-Fihri, whose one wish was to build a school for all. The illustrations develop their own visual language. A welcome story that emphasizes the intellectual foundations of Islamic North Africa and the importance of charitable work that plants seeds for subsequent generations." --Horn Book
The Mother of a Movement by
The Mother of a Movement is a true story of parental support and unconditional love. The Mother of a Movement tells the story of Jeanne Manford, the founder of PFLAG (Parents, Families, and Friends of Lesbians and Gays). When her son Morty was beaten by New York City officials for handing out pro-gay leaflets, Manford wrote a powerful letter to the New York Post to complain about how Morty was treated. In the letter she came out as the mother of a gay son. The letter was published. Morty invited his mother to march with him in the June 1972 Christopher Street Parade. While marching, she had the idea to form a group to help parents and families of LGBTQ+ people. That was the beginning of PFLAG.
The Mystery of the Monarchs by
A gorgeous picture book based on the true story of a scientist who solves the mysteries of monarch butterfly migration-with the help of schoolchildren! A perfect story for nature lovers of all ages from the Caldecott Honor winning author of The Noisy Paint Box Young Fred Urquhart was fascinated by insects, especially his favorite, the monarchbutterfly. He wondered where monarchs spent the winter. No one knew. After he became an entomologist (bug scientist),Fred and his wife, Norah,tagged hundreds of butterflies,hoping to solve the mysteryof the monarchs. But they soon discovered that they needed help. They started a "butterfly family," a community of children, teachers, and nature enthusiasts fromthree countries--Canada, the United States,and Mexico--to answer the question- Where do the monarchs go? Detailed materials in the back of the book include maps of monarch migration, the life cycle of the butterfly, and the cultural relevance of monarch butterflies in Mexico, as well as information on environmental efforts towards monarch conservation.
The Waiting Place: When Home Is Lost and a New One Not yet Found by
An unflinching look at ten young lives suspended outside of time--and bravely proceeding anyway--inside the Katsikas refugee camp in Greece. Every war, famine, and flood spits out survivors. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) cites an unprecedented 79.5 million forcibly displaced people on the planet today. In 2018, Dina Nayeri--a former refugee herself and the daughter of a refugee--invited documentary photographer Anna Bosch Miralpeix to accompany her to Katsikas, a refugee camp outside Ioannina, Greece, to record the hopes and struggles of ten young Farsi-speaking refugees from Iran and Afghanistan. "I wanted to play with them, to enter their imagined worlds, to see the landscape inside their minds," she says. Ranging in age from five to seventeen, the children live in partitioned shipping-crate homes crowded on a field below a mountain. Battling a dreary monster that wants to rob them of their purpose, dignity, and identity, each survives in his or her own special way. The Waiting Place is an unflinching look at ten young lives suspended outside of time--and bravely proceeding anyway. Each lyrical passage leads the reader from one story to the next, revealing the dreams, ambitions, and personalities of each displaced child. The stories are punctuated by intimate photographs, followed by the author's reflections on life in a refugee camp. Locking the global refugee crisis sharply in focus, The Waiting Place is an urgent call to change what we teach young people about the nature of home and safety.
The Pura Belpre Award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. It is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Pura Belpre Award Children's Author Winner
Frizzy by
Winner of the 2023 Pura Belpré Award for Children's Text October 2022 Indie Bestseller New York Times-bestselling author Claribel A. Ortega and star debut artist Rose Bousamra's Frizzy is about Marlene, a young Dominican girl whose greatest enemy is the hair salon! Through her struggles and triumphs, this heartwarming and gorgeous middle-grade graphic novel shows the radical power of accepting yourself as you are, frizzy curls and all. Marlene loves three things: books, her cool Tía Ruby and hanging out with her best friend Camila. But according to her mother, Paola, the only thing she needs to focus on is school and "growing up." That means straightening her hair every weekend so she could have "presentable", "good hair". But Marlene hates being in the salon and doesn't understand why her curls are not considered pretty by those around her. With a few hiccups, a dash of embarrassment, and the much-needed help of Camila and Tia Ruby--she slowly starts a journey to learn to appreciate and proudly wear her curly hair.
2023 Pura Belpre Award Children's Author Honor Books
The Coquíes Still Sing by
"This book is more than beautiful." - Yuyi Morales, Caldecott Honoree and New York Times bestselling creator of Dreamers A powerful story about home, community, and hope, inspired by the rebuilding of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017, written by debut author Karina González and illustrated by Krystal Quiles. Co-quí, co-quí! The coquí frogs sing to Elena from her family's beloved mango tree--their calls so familiar that they might as well be singing, "You are home, you are safe." But home is suddenly not safe when a hurricane threatens to destroy everything that Elena knows. As time passes, Elena, alongside her community, begins to rebuild their home, planting seeds of hope along the way. When the sounds of the coquíes gradually return, they reflect the resilience and strength of Elena, her family, and her fellow Puerto Ricans. The Coquies Still Sing is also available in Spanish. Pura Belpré Honor Book for Children's Text Pura Belpré Honor Book for Children's Illustration A Chicago Public Library Best Picture Books of 2022 selection
The Notebook Keeper by
Based on true events, this inspiring story follows a mama and her daughter who are denied entry at the U.S. border, and must find the refugee in charge of "the notebook," an unofficial ledger of those waiting to cross into the U.S. Before, the sun drenched the yard. Our neighbor's laughter danced in the streets. Now, the streets are quiet. Papa is gone, and we are no longer safe here. We are leaving, too. In this moving and stunningly-illustrated picture book, Noemi and Mama flee their home in Mexico, and head for the US border. There, they look for "The Notebook Keeper"-- the person in charge of a ledger for those waiting to cross, and they add their names to the book. As the days turn into weeks, and hope dwindles, the little girl looks for kindness around her-- and inside herself. One day, when the Notebook Keeper's own name is called to cross, Noemi and her Mama are chosen--for the generosity in their hearts-- to take her place.
Tumble by
From the award-winning author of The First Rule of Punk and Strange Birds, a dazzling novel about a young girl who collects the missing pieces of her origin story from the family of legendary luchadores she's never met. A 2023 Pura Belpré Author Honor Book Twelve-year-old Adela "Addie" Ramírez has a big decision to make when her stepfather proposes adoption. Addie loves Alex, the only father figure she's ever known, but with a new half brother due in a few months and a big school theater performance on her mind, everything suddenly feels like it's moving too fast. She has a million questions, and the first is about the young man in the photo she found hidden away in her mother's things. Addie's sleuthing takes her to a New Mexico ranch, and her world expands to include the legendary Bravos: Rosie and Pancho, her paternal grandparents and former professional wrestlers; Eva and Maggie, her older identical twin cousins who love to spar in and out of the ring; Uncle Mateo, whose lucha couture and advice are unmatched; and Manny, her biological father, who's in the midst of a career comeback. As luchadores, the Bravos's legacy is strong. But being part of a family is so much harder--it's about showing up, taking off your mask, and working through challenges together.
2023 Pura Belpre Award Youth Illustrator Winner
Where Wonder Grows by
Best Books of the Year, Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Bookstagang Best Books of the Year, Bookstagang Kirkus Reviews Best Books, Kirkus Reviews Skipping Stones Honor Award, Skipping Stones Magazine From the creators of the award-winning picture book All Around Us comes another lyrical intergenerational story exploring our connections to nature, family, and traditions. When Grandma walks to her special garden, her granddaughters know to follow her there. Grandma invites the girls to explore her collection of treasures--magical rocks, crystals, seashells, and meteorites--to see what wonders they reveal. "They are alive with wisdom," Grandma says. As her granddaughters look closely, the treasures spark the girls' imaginations. They find stories in the strength of rocks shaped by volcanoes, the cleansing power of beautiful crystals, the mystery of the sea that houses shells and shapes the environment, and the long journey meteorites took to find their way to Earth. This is the power of Grandma's special garden, where wonder grows and stories blossom.
2023 Pura Belpre Award Youth Illustrator Honor Book
The Coquíes Still Sing by
"This book is more than beautiful." - Yuyi Morales, Caldecott Honoree and New York Times bestselling creator of Dreamers A powerful story about home, community, and hope, inspired by the rebuilding of Puerto Rico following Hurricane Maria in 2017, written by debut author Karina González and illustrated by Krystal Quiles. Co-quí, co-quí! The coquí frogs sing to Elena from her family's beloved mango tree--their calls so familiar that they might as well be singing, "You are home, you are safe." But home is suddenly not safe when a hurricane threatens to destroy everything that Elena knows. As time passes, Elena, alongside her community, begins to rebuild their home, planting seeds of hope along the way. When the sounds of the coquíes gradually return, they reflect the resilience and strength of Elena, her family, and her fellow Puerto Ricans. The Coquies Still Sing is also available in Spanish. Pura Belpré Honor Book for Children's Text Pura Belpré Honor Book for Children's Illustration A Chicago Public Library Best Picture Books of 2022 selection
A Land of Books by
Award-winning author-illustrator Duncan Tonatiuh sheds light on the significance of Aztec manuscripts and culture Our world, little brother, is an amoxtlalpan, a land of books. In the jungles where the jaguar dwells, the Mayas make books. In the mountains the cloud people, the Mixtecs, make them as well. So do others in the coast and in the forests. And we the Mexica of the mighty Aztec empire, who dwell in the valley of the volcanoes, make them too. A young Aztec girl tells her little brother how their parents create beautiful painted manuscripts, or codices. She explains to him how paper is made from local plants and how the long paper is folded into a book. Her parents and others paint the codices to tell the story of their people's way of life, documenting their history, science, tributes, and sacred rituals. Duncan Tonatiuh's lyrical prose and beloved illustration style, inspired by the pre-Columbian codices, tell the story of how--contrary to the historical narrative that European colonizers bestowed "civilization" and knowledge to the Americas--the Aztec and their neighbors in the Valley of Mexico painted books and records long before Columbus arrived, and continued doing so among their Nahua-speaking descendants for generations after the Spanish Conquest. From an award-winning author-illustrator, A Land of Books pays tribute to Mesoamerican ingenuity and celebrates the universal power of books.
Magic by
In her debut as author and illustrator, Mirelle Ortega shares her own story of growing up near her family's pineapple farm in Mexico, where she learned the true meaning of magic Growing up on a pineapple farm in Mexico, a girl discovers the true meaning of the word magic in this truly magical picture book about change and transformation of all kinds--what we can't control, such as natural disasters and loss, and what we can. Magic can transform dirt into pineapples, seeds into trees, wool into blankets, words into stories, blank pages into pictures and stories into book.
Phenomenal AOC by
An inspiring biography of Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez from Pura Belpré Honor-winning creators Anika Aldamuy Denise and Loris Lora! In 2019, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez became the youngest congresswoman in America. How did this young Puertoriqueña become an unstoppable force in politics Find out in this accessible and engaging book for young readers. AOC's remarkable story begins in her childhood Bronx home and comes full circle the moment AOC became America's youngest Congresswoman. Ocasio-Cortez's empowering journey reminds us that everyone, regardless of their age, race, creed, wealth, or zip code, is capable of being a voice for change. A glossary and resources for changemakers are included at the end of the book.
Miss Quinces: a Graphic Novel by
Rising star Kat Fajardo's debut middle-grade graphic novel about a girl who would rather do anything other than celebrate her quinceañera! A funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about navigating the expectations of family and cultural tradition. Sue just wants to spend the summer reading and making comics at sleepaway camp with her friends, but instead she gets stuck going to Honduras to visit relatives with her parents and two sisters. They live way out in the country, which means no texting, no cable, and no Internet! The trip takes a turn for the worse when Sue's mother announces that they'll be having a surprise quinceañera for Sue, which is the last thing she wants. She can't imagine wearing a big, floofy, colorful dress! What is Sue going to do? And how will she survive all this "quality" time with her rambunctious family? Miss Quinces/Srta. Quinces is the first graphic novel published by Scholastic/Graphix to be simultaneously released in English and Spanish editions!
Still Dreaming / Seguimos Soñando by
In the first children's book to describe the long-forgotten chapter of US history known as Mexican Repatriation, a boy and his family leave their beloved home to avoid being separated by the government. En el primer libro infantil que describe el capítulo olvidado de la historia de los Estados Unidos conocido como la Repatriación Mexicana, un niño y su familia dejan su amado hogar para evitar ser separados por el gobierno. Faced with the prospect of being separated from each other, a young boy and his family make the difficult decision to leave their home and begin a journey filled with uncertainty. On the road, they meet other people like them. Families with deep roots tied to the land. Others that helped build the railroads. Some were shop owners and factory workers. Each with similar hopes and dreams. Historians estimate that between 1930 and 1940, two million people living in the United States were forcibly removed and sent to live in Mexico. Telling this story from a child's perspective, award-winning author Claudia Guadalupe Martínez lyrically recounts this often-overlooked period of United States history--Mexican Repatriation. Emotive illustrations by Magdalena Mora convey this poignant tale of longing for home and permanence, which reflects many of the dreams and hopes of people today. Ante la perspectiva de ser separados, un niño y su familia toman la difícil decisión de dejar su hogar y emprender un viaje lleno de incertidumbre. En el camino, se encuentran con otras personas como ellos. Familias con raíces profundas atadas a la tierra. Otros que ayudaron a construir los ferrocarriles. Algunos eran dueños de tiendas y trabajadores de fábricas. Cada uno con esperanzas y sueños similares. Los historiadores estiman que entre 1930 y 1940, dos millones de personas que vivían en los Estados Unidos fueron sacadas a la fuerza y enviadas a vivir aMéxico. Contando esta historia desde la perspectiva de un niño, la galardonada autora Claudia Guadalupe Martínez relata líricamente este período de la historia de los Estados Unidos a menudo pasado por alto: La Repatriación Mexicana. Las emotivas ilustraciones de Magdalena Mora transmiten esta conmovedora historia de añoranza por el hogar y la permanencia, que refleja muchos de los sueños y esperanzas de la gente de hoy.
2023 Pura Belpre Young Adult Author Award Winner
Burn down, Rise Up by
Mysterious disappearances. An urban legend rumored to be responsible. And one group of friends determined to save their city at any cost. Stranger Things meets Jordan Peele in this utterly original debut from an incredible new voice. For over a year, the Bronx has been plagued by sudden disappearances that no one can explain. Sixteen-year-old Raquel does her best to ignore it. After all, the police only look for the white kids. But when her crush Charlize's cousin goes missing, Raquel starts to pay attention-especially when her own mom comes down with a mysterious illness that seems linked to the disappearances. Raquel and Charlize team up to investigate, but they soon discover that everything is tied to a terrifying urban legend called the Echo Game. The game is rumored to trap people in a sinister world underneath the city, and the rules are based on a particularly dark chapter in New York's past. And if the friends want to save their home and everyone they love, they will have to play the game and destroy the evil at its heart-or die trying.
2023 Pura Belpre Young Adult Author Honor Books
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by
In this gorgeously written and authentic novel, Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to feel safe in her own body. Verónica has had many surgeries to manage her disability. The best form of rehabilitation is swimming, so she spends hours in the pool, but not just to strengthen her body. Her Florida town is home to Mermaid Cove, a kitschy underwater attraction where professional mermaids perform in giant tanks . . . and Verónica wants to audition. But her conservative Peruvian parents would never go for it. And they definitely would never let her be with Alex, her cute new neighbor. She decides it's time to seize control of her life, but her plans come crashing down when she learns her parents have been hiding the truth from her--the truth about her own body.
High Spirits by
High Spirits is a collection of eleven interconnected short stories from the Dominican diaspora, from debut author Camille Gomera-Tavarez. It is a book centered on one extended family - the Beléns - across multiple generations. It is set in the fictional small town of Hidalpa - and Santo Domingo and Paterson and San Juan and Washington Heights too. It is told in a style both utterly real and distinctly magical - and its stories explore machismo, mental health, family, and identity. But most of all, High Spirits represents the first book from Camille Gomera-Tavarez, who takes her place as one of the most extraordinary new voices to emerge in years.
The Caldecott Medal is presented to the illustrator of the most distinguished picture book for children published in the United States during the preceding year. It was named after nineteenth century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Caldecott Medal Winner
Hot Dog by
From a critically acclaimed creator comes this summery picture book featuring an overheated--and overwhelmed--pup who finds his calm with some sea, sand, and fresh air. "An utter joy from beginning to end!" --Sophie Blackall, two-time Caldecott Medal winner It's summer in the city, and this hot dog has had enough! Enough of sizzling sidewalks, enough of wailing sirens, enough of people's feet right in his face. When he plops down in the middle of a crosswalk, his owner endeavors to get him the breath of fresh air he needs. She hails a taxi, hops a train, and ferries out to the beach. Here, a pup can run! With fluid art and lyrical text that have the soothing effect of waves on sand, Doug Salati shows us how to find calm and carry it back with us so we can appreciate the small joys in a day.
2023 Caldecott Medal Honor Books
Ain't Burned All the Bright by
A Caldecott Honor winner! Prepare yourself for something unlike anything: A smash-up of art and text for teens that viscerally captures what it is to be Black. In America. Right Now. Written by #1 New York Times bestselling and award-winning author Jason Reynolds. Jason Reynolds and his best bud, Jason Griffin, had a mind-meld. And they decided to tackle it, in one fell swoop, in about ten sentences, and 300 pages of art, this piece, this contemplation-manifesto-fierce-vulnerable-gorgeous-terrifying-WhatIsWrongWithHumans-hope-filled-hopeful-searing-Eye-Poppingly-Illustrated-tender-heartbreaking-how-The-HECK-did-They-Come-UP-with-This project about oxygen. And all of the symbolism attached to that word, especially NOW. And so for anyone who didn't really know what it means to not be able to breathe, REALLY breathe, for generations, now you know. And those who already do, you'll be nodding yep yep, that is exactly how it is.
Berry Song by
An Indie Bestseller! Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book is a gorgeous celebration of the land she knows well and the powerful wisdom of elders. On an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea, a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, and in the forest, a world of berries. Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry. Huckleberry, Snowberry, Strawberry, Crowberry. Through the seasons, they sing to the land as the land sings to them. Brimming with joy and gratitude, in every step of their journey, they forge a deeper kinship with both the earth and the generations that came before, joining in the song that connects us all. Michaela Goade's luminous rendering of water and forest, berries and jams glows with her love of the land and offers an invitation to readers to deepen their own relationship with the earth.
Choosing Brave by
A Caldecott-honor winning picture book biography of the mother of Emmett Till, and how she channeled grief over her son's death into a call to action for the civil rights movement. Mamie Till-Mobley is the mother of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was brutally murdered while visiting the South in 1955. His death became a rallying point for the civil rights movement, but few know that it was his mother who was the catalyst for bringing his name to the forefront of history. In Choosing Brave, Angela Joy and Janelle Washington offer a testament to the power of love, the bond of motherhood, and one woman's unwavering advocacy for justice. It is a poised, moving work about a woman who refocused her unimaginable grief into action for the greater good. Mamie fearlessly refused to allow America to turn away from what happened to her only child. She turned pain into change that ensured her son's life mattered. Timely, powerful, and beautifully told, this thorough and moving story has been masterfully crafted to be both comprehensive and suitable for younger readers.
Knight Owl by
A determined Owl builds strength and confidence in this medieval picture book about the real mettle of a hero: wits, humor, and heart. Since the day he hatched, Owl dreamed of becoming a real knight. He may not be the biggest or the strongest, but his sharp nocturnal instincts can help protect the castle, especially since many knights have recently gone missing. While holding guard during Knight Night Watch, Owl is faced with the ultimate trial--a frightening intruder. It's a daunting duel by any measure. But what Owl lacks in size, he makes up for in good ideas. Full of wordplay and optimism, this surprising display of bravery proves that cleverness (and friendship) can rule over brawn.
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year. The award is named in honor of Robert F. Sibert, the long-time President of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. of Jacksonville, Illinois. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Winner
Seen and Unseen by
This important work of nonfiction features powerful images of the Japanese American incarceration captured by three photographers--Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams--along with firsthand accounts of this grave moment in history. Three months after Japan attacked Pearl Harbor in 1941, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt ordered the incarceration of all Japanese and Japanese Americans living on the West Coast of the United States. Families, teachers, farm workers--all were ordered to leave behind their homes, their businesses, and everything they owned. Japanese and Japanese Americans were forced to live under hostile conditions in incarceration camps, their futures uncertain. Three photographers set out to document life at Manzanar, an incarceration camp in the California desert: Dorothea Lange was a photographer from San Francisco best known for her haunting Depression-era images. Dorothea was hired by the US government to record the conditions of the camps. Deeply critical of the policy, she wanted her photos to shed light on the harsh reality of incarceration. Toyo Miyatake was a Japanese-born, Los Angeles-based photographer who lent his artistic eye to portraying dancers, athletes, and events in the Japanese community. Imprisoned at Manzanar, he devised a way to smuggle in photographic equipment, determined to show what was really going on inside the barbed-wire confines of the camp. Ansel Adams was an acclaimed landscape photographer and environmentalist. Hired by the director of Manzanar, Ansel hoped his carefully curated pictures would demonstrate to the rest of the United States the resilience of those in the camps. In Seen and Unseen, Elizabeth Partridge and Lauren Tamaki weave together these photographers' images, firsthand accounts, and stunning original art to examine the history, heartbreak, and injustice of the Japanese American incarceration. AWARENESS OF AMERICAN HISTORY: This impactful book engages with an underrepresented topic in American history, and highlights important and timely themes like primary sources, censorship, and visual literacy. SUBSTANTIAL BACKMATTER: Featuring eighteen pages of backmatter, including an Author's and Illustrator's Note, footnotes, photo credits, biographies of each photographer, and more. Perfect for: Parents Educators Librarians
2023 Robert F. Sibert Honor Books
Choosing Brave by
A Caldecott-honor winning picture book biography of the mother of Emmett Till, and how she channeled grief over her son's death into a call to action for the civil rights movement. Mamie Till-Mobley is the mother of Emmett Till, the 14-year-old boy who was brutally murdered while visiting the South in 1955. His death became a rallying point for the civil rights movement, but few know that it was his mother who was the catalyst for bringing his name to the forefront of history. In Choosing Brave, Angela Joy and Janelle Washington offer a testament to the power of love, the bond of motherhood, and one woman's unwavering advocacy for justice. It is a poised, moving work about a woman who refocused her unimaginable grief into action for the greater good. Mamie fearlessly refused to allow America to turn away from what happened to her only child. She turned pain into change that ensured her son's life mattered. Timely, powerful, and beautifully told, this thorough and moving story has been masterfully crafted to be both comprehensive and suitable for younger readers.
A Seed Grows by
From tiny seed to a huge, fold-out bloom, the transformative life cycle of a sunflower plays out in this bold read-aloud by Sibert honoree Antoinette Portis. To understand how a seed becomes a sunflower, you have to peek beneath the soil and wait patiently as winding roots grow, a stalk inches out of the earth, and new seeds emerge among blooming petals. "A seed falls, And settles into the ground, And the Sun shines, And the rain comes down, And the seed grows..." Leading up to a striking fold-out spread of a full-grown sunflower, the lively, bold illustrations in A Seed Grows offer a close-up view of each step of the growth cycle. Additional material in the back of the book explains the science of plant life cycles, and goes into more detail on the ways in which flowers and seeds depend on other creatures. Antoinette Portis is the author of A New Green Day, a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year and NCTE Notable Book in Poetry, as well as the Sibert Honor winning Hey, Water! A CALIBA Golden Poppy Award Finalist A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection A Horn Book Fanfare Title
Sweet Justice by
An inspiring picture-book biography about the woman whose cooking helped feed and fund the Montgomery bus boycott of 1956, from an award-winning illustrator. Georgia Gilmore was cooking when she heard the news Mrs. Rosa Parks had been arrested--pulled off a city bus and thrown in jail all because she wouldn't let a white man take her seat. To protest, the radio urged everyone to stay off city buses for one day- December 5, 1955. Throughout the boycott--at Holt Street Baptist Church meetings led by a young minister named Martin Luther King, Jr.--and throughout the struggle for justice, Georgia served up her mouth-watering fried chicken, her spicy collard greens, and her sweet potato pie, eventually selling them to raise money to help the cause. Here is the vibrant true story of a hidden figure of the civil rights movement, told in flavorful language by a picture-book master, and stunningly illustrated by a Caldecott Honor recipient and seven-time Coretta Scott King award-winning artist.
The Tower of Life by
A moving biography of the woman who created The Tower of Life, a powerful exhibit at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. Sydney Taylor Book Award Robert F. Sibert Honor Book A School Library Journal Best Book of 2022 A Booklist Editors' Choice ★ "...There are many picture books about the Holocaust, but this one stands out with Gal's beautiful watercolor pictures and the true account of one woman's goal that her community never be forgotten. A beautiful tribute....Highly recommended." -- School Library Journal, starred review ★ "A stunning tale . . . . bursting with detail and life. . . . A magnificent and moving tribute to a loving community and an extraordinary woman." -- Booklist, starred review ★ "A powerful tribute....Moving." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review " ...A loving testament to light and hope and the vision of a remarkable woman." -- Kirkus Reviews "...the book's message is consistently optimistic... Stiefel paints a truthful portrait appropriate for those just beginning to learn about the Holocaust....Gal's artwork...is dramatic and accessible...a book that ensures [Eliach and her town] will not be forgotten." -- Jewish Book Council There once was a girl named Yaffa. She loved her family, her home, and her beautiful Polish town that brimmed with light and laughter. She also loved helping her Grandma Alte in her photography studio. There, shopkeepers, brides, babies, and bar mitzvah boys posed while Grandma Alte captured their most joyous moments on film. And before the Jewish New Year, they sent their precious photographs to relatives overseas with wishes for good health and happiness. But one dark day, Nazi soldiers invaded the town. Nearly 3,500 Jewish souls -- including family, friends, and neighbors of Yaffa -- were erased. This is the stunning true story of how Yaffa made it her life's mission to recover thousands of her town's photographs from around the world. Using these photos, she built her amazing TOWER OF LIFE, a permanent exhibit in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, to restore the soaring spirit of Eishyshok.
The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for children, middle level students, and teens. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Schneider Family Book Award Winners
Listen by
* Schneider Family Book Award Winner * A gorgeous and empowering picture book biography about Evelyn Glennie, a deaf woman, who became the first full-time solo percussionist in the world. "No. You can't," people said. But Evelyn knew she could. She had found her own way to listen. From the moment Evelyn Glennie heard her first note, music held her heart. She played the piano by ear at age eight, and the clarinet by age ten. But soon, the nerves in her ears began to deteriorate, and Evelyn was told that, as a deaf girl, she could never be a musician. What sounds Evelyn couldn'thear with her ears, though, she could feel resonate through her body as if she, herself, were a drum. And the music she created was extraordinary. Evelyn Glennie had learned how to listen in a new way. And soon, the world was listening too. "Radiant." --Publishers Weekly "Perfect for elementary school readers . . . Excellent." --SLJ "Beautiful." --A Mighty Girl "Lyrical . . . Expressive . . . Vibrant." --Booklist "An intriguing, loving biography." --Kirkus "Engaging [and] vibrant." --The Horn Book "Fantastic." --Book Riot
Wildoak by
When the fates of a snow leopard, a child, and an ancient forest collide, the unimaginable can happen. Perfect for fans of Pax and The One and Only Ivan. * "Nuanced and empowering." - Publisher's Weekly, starred review * "Memorably atmospheric." - Kirkus Reviews, starred review "Immersive." - The Horn Book Maggie Stephens's stutter makes school especially hard. She will do almost anything to avoid speaking in class or calling attention to herself. So when her unsympathetic father threatens to send her away for so-called "treatment," she reluctantly agrees to her mother's intervention plan: a few weeks in the fresh air of Wildoak Forest, visiting a grandfather she hardly knows. It is there, in an extraordinary twist of fate, that she encounters an abandoned snow leopard cub, an exotic gift to a wealthy Londoner that proved too wild to domesticate. But once the cub's presence is discovered by others, danger follows, and Maggie soon realizes that time is running out, not only for the leopard, but for herself and the forest as well. ​Told in alternating voices, Wildoak shimmers with beauty, compassion, and unforgettable storytelling as it explores the delicate interconnectedness of the human, animal, and natural worlds.
The Words We Keep by
A beautifully realistic, relatable story about mental health--anxiety, perfectionism, depression--and the healing powers of art--perfect for fans of Girl in Pieces and How it Feels to Float. Whatever you struggle with, you are not alone and you are already enough--just the way you are. It's been three months since The Night on the Bathroom Floor--when Lily found her older sister Alice hurting herself. Ever since then, Lily has been desperately trying to keep things together, for herself and for her family. But now Alice is coming home from her treatment program and it is becoming harder for Lily to ignore all of the feelings she's been trying to outrun. Enter Micah, a new student at school with a past of his own. He was in treatment with Alice and seems determined to get Lily to process not only Alice's experience, but her own. Because Lily has secrets, too. Compulsions she can't seem to let go of and thoughts she can't drown out. When Lily and Micah embark on an art project for school involving finding poetry in unexpected places, she realizes that it's the words she's been swallowing that desperately want to break through. "A raw, relatable story of mental illness, romance, and the power of love."--Jennifer Niven, #1 New York Times bestselling author of All the Bright Places "A tender, heartfelt, and realistic look at mental illness, familial love, and finding your voice."--Kathleen Glasgow, New York Times bestselling author of Girl in Pieces "A luminous exploration into the restorative power of love and art."--Jeff Zentner, Morris Award-winning author of In the Wild Light "Indispensably candid."--Kirkus, starred review "An excellent choice."--SLJ, starred review "Will resonate with many readers."--PW, starred review
2023 Schneider Family Book Award Honor Titles
In the Blue by
An emotional and tender picture book that accessibly explores depression within a family, through the use of color. I've always been my dad's little sunspot. But one day, his world was no longer bright and yellow--it was a deep, dark blue. As one father embarks on an emotional journey, his daughter will navigate life lived in and around his depression. Most days the sun won't be able to peek through the clouds. But with each new wave of change, love will always bond them together. This poignant and important story, with its use of color to indicate the ups and downs of one family's emotions, is an accessible way to discuss mental illness with young readers.
Hummingbird by
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book From the bestselling author of A Snicker of Magic comes a heartfelt story about a girl who -- armed with her trusty, snazzy wheelchair -- refuses to let her brittle bone disease stand in the way of adventure Twelve-year-old homeschooled Olive is tired of being seen as "fragile" just because she has osteogenesis imperfecta (otherwise known as brittle bone disease) so she's thrilled when she finally convinces her parents to let her attend Macklemore Elementary. Olive can't wait to go to a traditional school and make the friends she's always longed for, until a disastrous first day dashes her hopes of ever fitting in. Then Olive hears whispers about a magical, wish-granting hummingbird that supposedly lives near Macklemore. It'll be the solution to all her problems! If she can find the bird and prove herself worthy, the creature will make her most desperate, secret wish come true. When it becomes clear that she can't solve the mystery on her own, Olive teams up with some unlikely allies who help her learn the truth about the bird. And on the way, she just might learn that our fragile places lead us to the most wonderful magic of all . . .
Honestly Elliott by
Highly-acclaimed author of Caterpillar Summer, Gillian McDunn explores boyhood in a funny, big-hearted story about a kid trying to find the best way to be his best self. Elliott has been struggling since his closest friend moved away, and he's not too sure where he fits into his own family, especially since his newly remarried dad and stepmom are expecting a baby. His grades aren't too great, he's always forgetting things, and he doesn't really like sports. All together, the result is someone the complete opposite of his dad--a fact they're both very aware of. Elliott's only solace is cooking, where he can control the outcome, testing exciting recipes and watching his favorite cooking shows. When he's paired with the super smart and popular Maribel for a school-wide project, Elliott worries they won't see eye to eye. But Maribel is also looking for a new way to show others her true self and this project could be the chance they've both been waiting for. Sometimes the least likely friends help you see a new side to things . . . and sometimes you have to make a few mistakes before you figure out what's right. Acclaim for Caterpillar Summer An Indies Introduce Pick A Texas Bluebonnet Selection A Parents Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year An Amazon Best Book of the Year
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by
In this gorgeously written and authentic novel, Verónica, a Peruvian-American teen with hip dysplasia, auditions to become a mermaid at a Central Florida theme park in the summer before her senior year, all while figuring out her first real boyfriend and how to feel safe in her own body. Verónica has had many surgeries to manage her disability. The best form of rehabilitation is swimming, so she spends hours in the pool, but not just to strengthen her body. Her Florida town is home to Mermaid Cove, a kitschy underwater attraction where professional mermaids perform in giant tanks . . . and Verónica wants to audition. But her conservative Peruvian parents would never go for it. And they definitely would never let her be with Alex, her cute new neighbor. She decides it's time to seize control of her life, but her plans come crashing down when she learns her parents have been hiding the truth from her--the truth about her own body.
The National Council for the Social Studies established the Septima Clark Book Awards for the most distinguished books appropriate for young readers that depict women's issues globally. First presented in 2019, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to women's issues sensitively and accurately.” Books relating to womens issues and the authors of such books rarely receive the recognition they merit from professional organizations. By sponsoring the Septima Clark Book Awards, NCSS gives wide recognition to and encourages these authors and publishers.
2022 Elementary Level Winner
The Fearless Flights of Hazel Ying Lee by
Discover an inspiring picture book biography about Hazel Ying Lee, the first Chinese American woman to fly for the US military. Hazel Ying Lee was born fearless--she was not afraid of anything, and the moment she took her first airplane ride, she knew where she belonged. When people scoffed at her dreams of becoming a pilot, Hazel wouldn't take no for an answer. She joined the Women Airforce Service Pilots during World War II. It was a dangerous job, but Hazel flew with joy and boldness. This moving, true story about a groundbreaking figure will inspire young readers to challenge barriers and reach for the sky.
2022 Elementary Honorees
The Leaf Detective by
2022 Green Earth Book Award Winner NCSS Septma Clark Award, Elementary Level Honoree NSTA/CBC Best STEM Book Junior Library Guild Selection John Burroughs Association Riverby Award Honorable Mention, Sigurd F. Olson Nature Writing Award This picture book biography tells the story of Meg Lowman, a groundbreaking female scientist called a "real life Lorax" by National Geographic, who was determined to investigate the marvelous, undiscovered world of the rainforest treetops. Meg Lowman was always fascinated by the natural world above her head -- the colors, the branches, and, most of all, the leaves and mysterious organisms living there. Meg set out to climb up and investigate the rain forest tree canopies -- and to be the first scientist to do so. But she encountered challenge after challenge. Male teachers would not let her into their classrooms, the high canopy was difficult to get to, and worst of all, people were logging and clearing the forests. Meg never gave up or gave in. She studied, invented, and persevered, not only creating a future for herself as a scientist, but making sure that the rainforests had a future as well. Working closely with Meg Lowman, author Heather Lang and artist Jana Christy beautifully capture Meg's world in the treetops. "Meg Lowman or 'Canopy Meg' is a true hero, a courageous explorer, who made amazing discoveries high in the forest canopy. The Leaf Detective captures the magic of that little-known world with its clear, informative text and fabulous illustrations. Young readers everywhere will be fascinated and inspired to learn more about nature." --Jane Goodall, PhD, DBE, Founder of the Jane Goodall Institute and Pioneer of Peace "Margaret Lowman is a pioneer scientist in a discipline that demands exceptional imagination, courage, and physical rigor. But of equal importance, she has created an extraordinarily important branch of environmental and conservation research. Heather Lang and Jana Christy, in this charming introduction, have invited us to climb on up and visit her." --Edward O. Wilson, Pulitzer Prize winner and Professor Emeritus, Harvard University
Classified by
An American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Picture Book Mary Golda Ross designed classified airplanes and spacecraft as Lockheed Aircraft Corporation's first female engineer. Find out how her passion for math and the Cherokee values she was raised with shaped her life and work. Cherokee author Traci Sorell and Métis illustrator Natasha Donovan trace Ross's journey from being the only girl in a high school math class to becoming a teacher to pursuing an engineering degree, joining the top-secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed, and being a mentor for Native Americans and young women interested in engineering. In addition, the narrative highlights Cherokee values including education, working cooperatively, remaining humble, and helping ensure equal opportunity and education for all. "A stellar addition to the genre that will launch careers and inspire for generations, it deserves space alongside stories of other world leaders and innovators."--starred, Kirkus Reviews
2022 Secondary/Intermediate Winner
Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by
From Children's Literature Legacy Award-winning author Nikki Grimes comes a feminist-forward new collection of poetry celebrating the little-known women poets of the Harlem Renaissance--paired with full-color, original art from today's most talented female African-American illustrators. For centuries, accomplished women--of all races--have fallen out of the historical records. The same is true for gifted, prolific, women poets of the Harlem Renaissance who are little known, especially as compared to their male counterparts. In this poetry collection, bestselling author Nikki Grimes uses "The Golden Shovel" poetic method to create wholly original poems based on the works of these groundbreaking women-and to introduce readers to their work. Each poem is paired with one-of-a-kind art from today's most exciting female African-American illustrators: Vanessa Brantley-Newton, Cozbi A. Cabrera, Nina Crews, Pat Cummings, Laura Freeman, Jan Spivey Gilchrist, Ebony Glenn, April Harrison, Vashti Harrison, Ekua Holmes, Cathy Ann Johnson, Keisha Morris, Daria Peoples-Riley, Andrea Pippins, Erin Robinson, Shadra Strickland, Nicole Tadgell, and Elizabeth Zunon. Legacy also includes a foreword, an introduction to the history of the Harlem Renaissance, author's note, and poet biographies, which make this a wonderful resource and a book to cherish. Acclaim for One Last Word A Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor winner A New York Public Library Best Kids Book of the Year A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year, Middle Grade A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, Nonfiction
2022 Secondary/Intermediate Honorees
Grace Banker and Her Hello Girls Answer the Call by
NCSS/CBC Notable Social Studies Trade Book NCSS Septma Clark Award, Elementary Level Honoree Bank Street College of Education Best Book of the Year Led by twenty-five-year-old Grace Banker, thirty-two telephone operators -- affectionately called "Hello Girls" back in the US -- became the first female combatants in World War I. Follow Grace Banker's journey from her busy life as a telephone switchboard trainer in New York to her pioneering role as the Chief Operator of the 1st Unit of World War I telephone operators in the battlefields of France. With expert skill, steady nerves, and steadfast loyalty, the Signal Corps operators transferred orders from commanders to battlefields and communicated top-secret messages between American and French headquarters. After faithfully serving her country --undaunted by freezing weather and fires; long hours and little sleep, and nearby shellings and far off explosions -- Grace was the first and only woman operator in the Signal Corps to be awarded the Army's Distinguished Service Medal.
The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature. Gold medals are presented in three categories: Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. Honor Books are awarded silver medals, and Notable Books are named in each category. A list of previous winners and honor books can be found here.
2023 Sydney Taylor Award Gold Medalists
The Tower of Life by
A moving biography of the woman who created The Tower of Life, a powerful exhibit at the US Holocaust Memorial Museum in Washington, DC. Sydney Taylor Book Award Robert F. Sibert Honor Book A School Library Journal Best Book of 2022 A Booklist Editors' Choice ★ "...There are many picture books about the Holocaust, but this one stands out with Gal's beautiful watercolor pictures and the true account of one woman's goal that her community never be forgotten. A beautiful tribute....Highly recommended." -- School Library Journal, starred review ★ "A stunning tale . . . . bursting with detail and life. . . . A magnificent and moving tribute to a loving community and an extraordinary woman." -- Booklist, starred review ★ "A powerful tribute....Moving." -- Publisher's Weekly, starred review " ...A loving testament to light and hope and the vision of a remarkable woman." -- Kirkus Reviews "...the book's message is consistently optimistic... Stiefel paints a truthful portrait appropriate for those just beginning to learn about the Holocaust....Gal's artwork...is dramatic and accessible...a book that ensures [Eliach and her town] will not be forgotten." -- Jewish Book Council There once was a girl named Yaffa. She loved her family, her home, and her beautiful Polish town that brimmed with light and laughter. She also loved helping her Grandma Alte in her photography studio. There, shopkeepers, brides, babies, and bar mitzvah boys posed while Grandma Alte captured their most joyous moments on film. And before the Jewish New Year, they sent their precious photographs to relatives overseas with wishes for good health and happiness. But one dark day, Nazi soldiers invaded the town. Nearly 3,500 Jewish souls -- including family, friends, and neighbors of Yaffa -- were erased. This is the stunning true story of how Yaffa made it her life's mission to recover thousands of her town's photographs from around the world. Using these photos, she built her amazing TOWER OF LIFE, a permanent exhibit in the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, to restore the soaring spirit of Eishyshok.
Aviva vs the Dybbuk by
NPR Best of the Year A compelling, tender story about friendship and community, grief and healing, and one indomitable girl who somehow manages to connect them all. A long ago "accident." An isolated girl named Aviva. A community that wants to help, but doesn''t know how. And a ghostly dybbuk, that no one but Aviva can see, causing mayhem and mischief that everyone blames on her. That is the setting for this suspenseful novel of a girl who seems to have lost everything, including her best friend Kayla, and a mother who was once vibrant and popular, but who now can''t always get out of bed in the morning. As tensions escalate in the Jewish community of Beacon with incidents of vandalism and a swastika carved into new concrete poured near the synagogue...so does the tension grow between Aviva and Kayla and the girls at their school, and so do the actions of the dybbuk grow worse. Could real harm be coming Aviva''s way? And is it somehow related to the "accident" that took her father years ago? P R A I S E "A rare, sensitive portrayal of a contemporary Orthodox Jewish community." --The New York Times "A mystery. An unreliable narrator. A supernatural creature. Such elements are woven skillfully together in this story of a Jewish girl growing up in a home above a mikvah (a religious pool) that is haunted by a dybbuk, or mischievous spirit. As we learn more about Aviva''s story, and why she and her mother feel ostracized from their community, it becomes clear that though this tale is regularly punctuated with action and fun, at its core is a serious consideration of the ways that familial grief can gnaw on a person''s psyche. Daring in its creativity." --Betsy Bird, NPR Best Books of the Year so Far ★ "This emotionally complex novel set within a contemporary Orthodox Jewish community is full of immersive Jewish detail... Unreliable narrator though Aviva ends up being, she''s a heart-rendingly sympathetic one." --Horn Book (starred) ★ "A deliberate and engrossing story about loss, grief and the healing power of belief. A complex and compelling middle-grade ghost story." --Shelf-Awareness (starred) ★ "A rare find. A heart-rending story of loss, community, friendship, and what it takes to heal and survive." --Kirkus (starred) "Debut author Lowe offers an insider''s view of a close-knit Orthodox Jewish community where much of daily life is prescribed in gender-segregated activities. A compassionate look at grief and healing." --Booklist "Though the story is centered on a Jewish family, the themes of loss, depression, and the social pain of growing up are universal. Author Mari Lowe provides young readers with both a window into Orthodox Judaism for those who are unfamiliar with the culture and a mirror for those who can see their religion or culture reflected in literature." --School Library Connection "Aviva is a strong lead, both relatable and flawed. It is refreshing to see a story focused on an Orthodox child that renders that world realistically while also dealing with universal struggles. Both Aviva and her story are worth spending time with." --Foreword Reviews "Described with grace and thoughtfulness." --The Bulletin "​​​​An intimate look at a contemporary Orthodox Jewish community in this nuanced story of a girl regaining her footing after her father''s death...Aviva is an engaging heroine... Lowe portrays Aviva and Ema''s mourning with a gentle touch, gradually building to an ending that points toward spiritual and emotional healing, thanks to the steadfast support of their Jewish community, especially its women." --Publishers Weekly "Aviva vs. the Dybbuk opens the door to a part of the Jewish world often invisible in mainstream children''s fiction. Like the dybbuk himself, Lowe''s novel may disrupt some assumptions and turn readers'' ideas in a new direction." --Emily Schneider, Imaginary Elevators "Engaging and timely. The threads come together in a crescendo of activity and emotion that keeps the reader glued to the page to see what will happen next, where it will lead, and how it will be resolved." --Association of Jewish Libraries "Deeply rooted in the specifics of Aviva''s Orthodox Jewish community, but its representation of loss, grief and healing will resonate with any reader who, like Aviva, has lost someone close to them and feels tangled up in grief." --BookPage "The book ends on a positive note, showing how a whole community, both Jews and non-Jews, can work together to make things better. In the process, Aviva gains friends and peace." --Jewish Book Council "A gem of a book. The fully fleshed-out characters are drawn lovingly and sensitively... In addition to being a well-crafted and beautiful book, this story provides a rare and much-needed form of Jewish representation: an authentic story about an Orthodox Jewish girl that is steeped in her lifestyle without being about that lifestyle. It should be a very strong contender for the Sydney Taylor Award." --Sydney Taylor Shmooze "Readers will find Aviva charming and relatable as she navigates the roller coaster that is growing up. VERDICT A strong purchase for every school and public library. In this tale that''s at times funny, sad, and scary, Lowe seamlessly crafts a coming-of-age story that readers will enjoy." --School Library Journal "It packed a powerful punch. The ending surprised me and left my eyes filled with tears of joy and sorrow. Lowe is an author to watch and I look forward to reading her future work." --The Reporter
When the Angels Left the Old Country by
For fans of "Good Omens"--a queer immigrant fairytale about individual purpose, the fluid nature of identity, and the power of love to change and endure. Uriel the angel and Little Ash (short for Ashmedai) are the only two supernatural creatures in their shtetl (which is so tiny, it doesn't have a name other than Shtetl). The angel and the demon have been studying together for centuries, but pogroms and the search for a new life have drawn all the young people from their village to America. When one of those young emigrants goes missing, Uriel and Little Ash set off to find her. Along the way the angel and demon encounter humans in need of their help, including Rose Cohen, whose best friend (and the love of her life) has abandoned her to marry a man, and Malke Shulman, whose father died mysteriously on his way to America. But there are obstacles ahead of them as difficult as what they've left behind. Medical exams (and demons) at Ellis Island. Corrupt officials, cruel mob bosses, murderers, poverty. The streets are far from paved with gold. P R A I S E "Liars, lovers, grifters, a good angel and a wicked one--all held together with the bright red thread of unexpected romance, enduring friendship and America's history. You don't have to be Jewish to love Sacha Lamb--you only have to read." --New York Times Bestseller, Amy Bloom ★ "Steeped in Ashkenazi lore, custom, and faith, this beautifully written story deftly tackles questions of identity, good and evil, obligation, and the many forms love can take. Queerness and gender fluidity thread through both the human and supernatural characters, clearly depicted without feeling anachronistic. Gorgeous, fascinating, and fun." --Kirkus (starred) ★ "Richly imagined and plotted, this inspired book has the timeless feeling of Jewish folklore, which is further enhanced by the presence of two magical protagonists, and not one but two dybbuks! In the end, of course, it's the author who has performed the mitzvah by giving their readers this terrific debut novel." --Booklist (starred) "I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!! I read it in two days and then I spent the next two weeks thinking about it. Literally forgot to take my lunch break at work because I was busy thinking about it. This book is SO fun and funny and beautiful. Inherently, inextricably deeply queer-and-Jewish in a way that makes my brain buzz. I am obsessed." --Piera Varela, Porter Square Books "I love this book more than I can say (but I'll try!) I was delighted by the wry narrative voice of this book from the first paragraph. The author perfectly captures the voice of a Jewish folk tale within an impeccably researched early 20th century setting that includes Yiddish, striking factory workers, and revolutionary coffee houses. It gave me so many feelings about identity, love, and their obligations to the world, themselves, and each other. This story will forever have a place in my heart and in my canon of favorite books. I can't wait to have it on my shelves!" -- Marianne Wald, East City Bookshop "A beautiful story of an angel and demon set on helping an emigrant from their shtetl, and the fierce girl that joins them on the way... A must read for all ages--one filled to the brim with heart." --Mo Huffman, Changing Hands Bookstore
2023 Sydney Taylor Award Silver Medalists
Big Dreams, Small Fish by
In the new country, Shirley and her family all have big dreams. Take the family store: Shirley has great ideas about how to make it more modern! Prettier! More profitable! She even thinks she can sell the one specialty no one seems to want to try: Mama's homemade gefilte fish. But her parents think she's too young to help. And anyway they didn't come to America for their little girl to work. 'Go play with the cat!' they urge. This doesn't stop Shirley's ideas, of course. And one day, when the rest of the family has to rush out leaving her in the store with sleepy Mrs. Gottlieb. Shirley seizes her chance!
The Very Best Sukkah by
Sukkot is Shoshi's favorite Jewish holiday. She and her brothers love to decorate their sukkah, the hut where her family will celebrate. But who will win the Ugandan Abayudaya community's annual sukkah contest? While only one sukkah can be the best, everybody wins when neighbors work together.
Honey and Me by
Fans of Judy Blume, The Vanderbeekers of 141st Street, and The Penderwicks will love this funny, charismatic story of a Jewish girl striving to forge her own identity in the shadow of her fearless best friend. **A 2023 Sydney Taylor Award Honor Book!** **A Kirkus Best Book of 2022** * "Authentic, joyful, achingly real." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review Milla and Honey have been best friends since forever. Milla envies Honey's confidence, her charisma, and her big, chaotic family--especially when they provide a welcome escape from Milla's own small family and quiet house. In their close-knit Jewish community, the two girls do everything together, from delivering meals to an ill-tempered elderly neighbor, to shopping at a local thrift store, celebrating the holidays, and going to their first bat mitzvahs while studying for their own. So when Honey joins Milla's school for sixth grade, why is it not as great as Milla expected? Can their friendship survive all the ups and downs the year has in store for them? And will Milla ever find the courage to step out of Honey's shadow and into her own spotlight? Charming, authentic, and wise, Honey and Me is a classic coming-of-age story filled with relatable middle school struggles, keen insight, and sparkling humor.
Black Bird, Blue Road by
In this historical fantasy novel, praised as a "rich, omen-filled journey that powerfully shows love and its limits*" and "propulsive, wise, and heartbreaking,"** Ziva will do anything to save her twin brother Pesah from his illness--even facing the Angel of Death himself. From Sydney Taylor Honor winner and National Jewish Book Award finalist Sofiya Pasternack. Pesah has lived with leprosy for years, and the twins have spent most of that time working on a cure. Then Pesah has a vision: The Angel of Death will come for him on Rosh Hashanah, just one month away. So Ziva takes her brother and runs away to find doctors who can cure him. But when they meet and accidentally free a half-demon boy, he suggests paying his debt by leading them to the fabled city of Luz, where no one ever dies--the one place Pesah will be safe. They just need to run faster than The Angel of Death can fly... (*Publishers Weekly, starred review; **Kirkus Reviews, starred review)
Ellen Outside the Lines by
A heartfelt novel about a neurodivergent thirteen-year-old navigating changing friendships, a school trip, and expanding horizons for fans of Rain Reign and Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World. Thirteen-year-old Ellen Katz feels most comfortable when her life is well planned out and people fit neatly into her predefined categories. She attends temple with Abba and Mom every Friday and Saturday. Ellen only gets crushes on girls, never boys, and she knows she can always rely on her best-and-only friend, Laurel, to help navigate social situations at their private Georgia middle school. Laurel has always made Ellen feel like being autistic is no big deal. But lately, Laurel has started making more friends, and cancelling more weekend plans with Ellen than she keeps. A school trip to Barcelona seems like the perfect place for Ellen to get their friendship back on track. Except it doesn't. Toss in a new nonbinary classmate whose identity has Ellen questioning her very binary way of seeing the world, homesickness, a scavenger hunt-style team project that takes the students through Barcelona to learn about Spanish culture and this trip is anything but what Ellen planned. Making new friends and letting go of old ones is never easy, but Ellen might just find a comfortable new place for herself if she can learn to embrace the fact that life doesn't always stick to a planned itinerary.
My Fine Fellow by
Culinary delights abound, romance lingers in the air, and plans go terribly, wonderfully astray in this gender-bent take on My Fair Lady from Jennieke Cohen, author of Dangerous Alliance--perfect for fans of Bridgerton or A Gentleman's Guide to Vice and Virtue. It's 1830s England, and Culinarians--doyens who consult with society's elite to create gorgeous food and confections--are the crème de la crème of high society. Helena Higgins, top of her class at the Royal Academy, has a sharp demeanor and an even sharper palate--and knows stardom awaits her if she can produce greatness in her final year. Penelope Pickering is going to prove the value of non-European cuisine to all of England. Her contemporaries may scorn her Filipina heritage and her dishes, but with her flawless social graces and culinary talents, Penelope is set to prove them wrong. Elijah Little has nothing to his name but a truly excellent instinct for flavors. London merchants won't allow a Jewish boy to own a shop, so he hawks his pasties for a shilling a piece to passersby--but he knows with training he can break into the highest echelon of society. When Penelope and Helena meet Elijah, a golden opportunity arises: to pull off a project never seen before, and turn Elijah from a street vendor to a gentleman chef. But Elijah's transformation will have a greater impact on this trio than they originally realize--and mayhem, unseemly faux pas, and a little romance will all be a part of the delicious recipe.
Some Kind of Hate by
A Sydney Taylor Honor Book "A critical, heart-wrenching, and hopeful book that not only shows how and why the seeds of hatred grow into a destructive force, but also the importance of owning one's actions..." --Liza Wiemer, author of the Sydney Taylor Notable Book The Assignment Declan Taylor is furious at the world. After winning state as a freshman starting pitcher, he accidentally messes up his throwing arm. Despite painful surgery and brutal physical therapy, he might never pitch again. And instead of spending the summer with his friends, Declan is forced to get a job to help his family out. On top of that, it seems like his best friend, Jake Lehrer, is flirting with Declan's crush and always ditching him to hang out with the team or his friends from synagogue. So Declan ends up playing a lot of Imperialist Empires online and making new friends. It's there he realizes he's been playing with Finn, a kid from his class. Finn is the first person who might be just as angry as Declan. As the two spend more time together, Finn also introduces Declan to others who understand what it's like when the world is working against you, no matter how much you try. How white kids like them are being denied opportunities because others are manipulating the system. And the more time Declan spends with Finn, the more he sees what they're saying as true. So when his new friends decide it's time to fight back, Declan is right there with them. Even if it means going after Jake and his family. And each new battle for the cause makes Declan feel in control of his rage, channeling it into saving his future. But when things turn deadly, Declan is going to have to decide just how far he'll go and what he's willing to sacrifice. In a stunning story set against the rise of white nationalism comes an unflinching exploration of the destruction of hate, the power of fear, and the hope of redemption.
Eight Nights of Flirting by
A Sydney Taylor Honor Book A sixteen-year-old girl is on a mission to find the perfect boyfriend this Hanukkah, but love might not go according to plan, in this charming winter romcom from the author of The Summer of Lost Letters. Shira Barbanel has a plan: this Hanukkah, she's going to get a boyfriend. And she has the perfect candidate in mind--her great-uncle's assistant, Isaac. He's reliable, brilliant, and of course, super hot. The only problem? Shira's an absolute disaster when it comes to flirting. Enter Tyler Nelson, Shira's nemesis-slash-former-crush. As much as she hates to admit it, Tyler is the most charming and popular guy she knows. Which means he's the perfect person to teach her how to win Isaac over. When Shira and Tyler get snowed in together at Golden Doors, they strike a deal--flirting lessons for Shira in exchange for career connections for Tyler. But as Shira starts to see the sweet, funny boy beneath Tyler's playboy exterior, she realizes she actually likes hanging out with him. And that wasn't part of the plan. Amidst a whirl of snowy adventures, hot chocolate, and candlelight, Shira must learn to trust her heart to discover if the romance she planned is really the one that will make her happiest.
2022 Sydney Taylor Notable Books
Tía Fortuna's New Home by
A poignant multicultural ode to family and what it means to create a home as one girl helps her Tia move away from her beloved Miami apartment. When Estrella's Tia Fortuna has to say goodbye to her longtime Miami apartment building, The Seaway, to move to an assisted living community, Estrella spends the day with her. Tia explains the significance of her most important possessions from both her Cuban and Jewish culture, as they learn to say goodbye together and explore a new beginning for Tia. A lyrical book about tradition, culture, and togetherness, Tia Fortuna's New Home explores Tia and Estrella's Sephardic Jewish and Cuban heritage. Through Tia's journey, Estrella will learn that as long as you have your family, home is truly where the heart is.
Shoham's Bangle by
Shoham's bangle jingles and jangles, clinks and clacks Shoham wears a golden bangle on her wrist, just like her Nana Aziza. Their bangles jingle when they cook, and glitter in the sun. When Shoham and her family must leave Iraq, they are allowed to take only one suitcase each. They may take no jewelry. Shoham has the important job of carrying Nana's homemade pita bread, which Nana says they will eat when they get to Israel. But when they finally arrive and it is time to eat, Shoham bites into something hard inside the pita bread.
Madame Alexander: the Creator of the Iconic American Doll by
An inspiring, uplifting picture book biography about iconic doll creator, Madame Alexander, whose love for dolls and bringing joy to others began at a young age and only continued to grow. Someday, she thought, I will make dolls that don't break so children will never be unhappy. Beatrice Alexander's family ran a doll hospital in their home in New York's Lower East Side, where she grew to love fixing and making dolls. Beatrice dreamed of becoming an artist, but her family couldn't afford to send her to sculpting school. She never stopped dreaming, even as she stayed home, graduated from high school, and got married. When World War I broke out, she came up with the idea to make unbreakable, cloth dolls modeled after nurses to support the war effort and help keep children happy. After the war, Beatrice founded Madame Alexander and redefined the doll industry, creating some of the first plastic and collectible dolls, dolls that never break. With beautiful, vivid art by Sarah Dvojack, author Susan Goldman Rubin tells the powerful story of savvy, feminist entrepreneur Beatrice Alexander, who founded the Madame Alexander Doll Company and became one of America's most celebrated toy makers.
Raquela's Seder by
Raquela yearns to celebrate a Passover seder, but Inquisition-era Spain is a time when Jews must hide their religion. Under the rising moon, her clever papa, the best fisherman in town, creates a unique celebration for his family. In his fishing boat on the sea, far from prying eyes, they celebrate Raquela's first seder with matzah and the Passover story.
Alias Anna by
The moving true story of how young Ukrainian Jewish piano prodigies Zhanna (alias "Anna") and her sister Frina outplayed their pursuers while hiding in plain sight during the Holocaust. A middle grade nonfiction novel-in-verse by award-winning author Susan Hood with Greg Dawson (Zhanna's son). She wouldn't be Zhanna. She'd use an alias. A for Anna. A for alive. When the Germans invade Ukraine, Zhanna, a young Jewish girl, must leave behind her friends, her freedom, and her promising musical future at the world's top conservatory. With no time to say goodbye, Zhanna, her sister Frina, and their entire family are removed from their home by the Nazis and forced on a long, cold, death march. When a guard turns a blind eye, Zhanna flees with nothing more than her musical talent, her beloved sheet music, and her father's final plea: "I don't care what you do. Just live." This incredible true story in-verse about sisterhood, survival, and music is perfect for fans of Lifeboat 12, Inside Out and Back Again, and Alan Gratz. Includes extensive back matter with original letters and photographs, additional information, and materials for further reading.
The Woman Who Split the Atom by
Bestselling author-illustrator Marissa Moss tells the gripping story of Lise Meitner, the physicist who discovered nuclear fission As a female Jewish physicist in Berlin during the early 20th century, Lise Meitner had to fight for an education, a job, and equal treatment in her field, like having her name listed on her own research papers. Meitner made groundbreaking strides in the study of radiation, but when Hitler came to power in Germany, she suddenly had to face not only sexism, but also life-threatening anti-Semitism as well. Nevertheless, she persevered and one day made a discovery that rocked the world: the splitting of the atom. While her male lab partner was awarded a Nobel Prize for the achievement, the committee refused to give her any credit. Suddenly, the race to build the atomic bomb was on--although Meitner was horrified to be associated with such a weapon. "A physicist who never lost her humanity," Meitner wanted only to figure out how the world works, and advocated for pacifism while others called for war. The book includes an afterword, author's note, timeline, select terms of physics, glossary of scientists mentioned, endnotes, select bibliography, index, and Marissa Moss's celebrated drawings throughout. The Woman Who Split the Atom is a fascinating look at Meitner's fierce passion, integrity, and her lifelong struggle to have her contributions to physics recognized.
The Prince of Steel Pier by
A young teen falls in with the mob, and learns a lesson about what kind of person he wants to be In The Prince of Steel Pier, Joey Goodman is spending the summer at his grandparents' struggling hotel in Atlantic City, a tourist destination on the decline. Nobody in Joey's big Jewish family takes him seriously, so when Joey's Skee-Ball skills land him an unusual job offer from a local mobster, he's thrilled to be treated like "one of the guys," and develops a major crush on an older girl in the process. Eventually disillusioned by the mob's bravado, and ashamed of his own dishonesty, he recalls words of wisdom from his grandfather that finally resonate. Joey realizes where he really belongs: with his family, who drive him crazy, but where no one fights a battle alone. All it takes to get by is one's wits...and a little help from one's brothers.
Ethel's Song by
Convicted of conspiracy to commit espionage for the Soviet Union against the United States, Ethel Rosenberg shares the story of her beliefs, loves, secrets, betrayals, and injustices in this compelling YA novel in verse. In 1953, Ethel Rosenberg, a devoted wife and loving mother, faces the electric chair. People say she's a spy, a Communist, a red. How did she get here? In a series of heart-wrenching poems, Ethel tells her story. The child of Jewish immigrants, Ethel Greenglass grows up on New York City's Lower East Side. She dreams of being an actress and a singer but finds romance and excitement in the arms of the charming Julius Rosenberg. Both are ardent supporters of rights for workers, but are they spies? Who is passing atomic secrets to the Soviets? Why does everyone seem out to get them? This first book for young readers about Ethel Rosenberg is a fascinating portrait of a commonly misunderstood figure from American history, and vividly relates a story that continues to have relevance today.
The Ghosts of Rose Hill by
"A must-read for lost souls everywhere." --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review With spellbinding verse prose, R.M. Romero channels the spirit of myth into a brilliantly original tale, inspired by her experiences restoring Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe. Magic will burn you up. Sent to stay with her aunt in Prague and witness the humble life of an artist, Ilana Lopez--a biracial Jewish girl--finds herself torn between her dream of becoming a violinist and her immigrant parents' desire for her to pursue a more stable career. When she discovers a forgotten Jewish cemetery behind her aunt's cottage, she meets the ghost of a kindhearted boy named Benjamin, who died over a century ago. As Ilana restores Benjamin's grave, he introduces her to the enchanted side of Prague, where ghosts walk the streets and their kisses have warmth. But Benjamin isn't the only one interested in Ilana. Rudolph Wassermann, a man with no shadow, has become fascinated with her and the music she plays. He offers to share his magic, so Ilana can be with Benjamin and pursue her passion for violin. But after Ilana discovers the truth about Wassermann and how Benjamin became bound to the city, she resolves to save the boy she loves, even if it means losing him--forever. A love letter to Latin American and Jewish diasporas, based on the author's experiences working to maintain Jewish cemeteries in Eastern Europe. The Ghosts of Rose Hill is a tender and empowering read that you will devour in one sitting. Steeped in history and the experiences of immigrant families, especially Jewish families, each carefully-chosen word of this magical verse novel casts a spell. A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year An Indie Next Pick!
The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, first given in 2009, honors a book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature. The award's namesake is William C. Morris, an influential innovator in the publishing world and an advocate for marketing books for children and young adults. Bill Morris left an impressive mark on the field of children’s and young adult literature. He was beloved in the publishing field and the library profession for his generosity and marvelous enthusiasm for promoting literature for children and teens. A complete list of past winners and finalists can be found here.
2023 William C. Morris Debut Award Winner
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by
LONGLISTED FOR THE NATIONAL BOOK AWARD! A WILLIAM C. MORRIS AWARD WINNER! The Chosen meets Adam Silvera in this irreverent and timely story of worlds colliding in friendship, betrayal, and hatred. Hoodie Rosen's life isn't that bad. Sure, his entire Orthodox Jewish community has just picked up and moved to the quiet, mostly non-Jewish town of Tregaron, but Hoodie's world hasn't changed that much. He's got basketball to play, studies to avoid, and a supermarket full of delicious kosher snacks to eat. The people of Tregaron aren't happy that so many Orthodox Jews are moving in at once, but that's not Hoodie's problem. That is, until he meets and falls for Anna-Marie Diaz-O'Leary--who happens to be the daughter of the obstinate mayor trying to keep Hoodie's community out of the town. And things only get more complicated when Tregaron is struck by a series of antisemitic crimes that quickly escalate to deadly violence. As his community turns on him for siding with the enemy, Hoodie finds himself caught between his first love and the only world he's ever known. Isaac Blum delivers a wry, witty debut novel about a deeply important and timely subject, in a story of hatred and betrayal--and the friendships we find in the most unexpected places. Praise for The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen: "A deeply authentic story about the terror and glory of encountering the outside world without sacrificing who you are--and who you want to be. It's touching, tragic, and as Jewish as your Bubbe's cholent." -Gavriel Savit, New York Times bestselling author of Anna and the Swallow Man "Blum gives the common but often-dismissed spiritual journey of many teens the respect it deserves in this witty, profound look at cross-cultural friendship, courageous honesty, and how a willingness to truly see and love our neighbors can change an entire community." -Vesper Stamper, National Book Award-nominated author of What the Night Sings "A refreshingly human look at the day-to-day nuances of Orthodox Judaism and the terror of modern antisemitism. I laughed, I gasped, I craved kosher Starburst. Two thumbs up from this nice Jewish girl!" -Tyler Feder, Sydney Taylor Award-winning author of Dancing at the Pity Party "Bold, brave, and brutally honest, it holds a permanent piece of my heart." -Dahlia Adler, author of Cool for the Summer "Isaac Blum has the rare talent of telling searing, visceral truths in a witty, funny, punchy way . . . The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen is a vital voice in Jewish YA canon." -Katherine Locke, Sydney Taylor Honor author of The Girl with the Red Balloon
2023 William C. Morris Debut Award Finalists
The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by
In this complex and emotionally resonant novel about a Métis girl living on the Canadian prairies, debut author Jen Ferguson serves up a powerful story about rage, secrets, and all the spectrums that make up a person--and the sweetness that can still live alongside the bitterest truth. A William C. Morris Award Finalist! Lou has enough confusion in front of her this summer. She'll be working in her family's ice-cream shack with her newly ex-boyfriend--whose kisses never made her feel desire, only discomfort--and her former best friend, King, who is back in their Canadian prairie town after disappearing three years ago without a word. But when she gets a letter from her biological father--a man she hoped would stay behind bars for the rest of his life--Lou immediately knows that she cannot meet him, no matter how much he insists. While King's friendship makes Lou feel safer and warmer than she would have thought possible, when her family's business comes under threat, she soon realizes that she can't ignore her father forever. The Heartdrum imprint centers a wide range of intertribal voices, visions, and stories while welcoming all young readers, with an emphasis on the present and future of Indian Country and on the strength of young Native heroes. In partnership with We Need Diverse Books.
Wake the Bones by
"YA horror has found a new standard-bearer." - Kirkus Reviews (starred review) "Dark, gripping, and gorgeous, Wake the Bones will lead you into the woods and keep you up late. As lush and sweltering as a Kentucky summer... Elizabeth Kilcoyne is a force." - Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author The sleepy little farm that Laurel Early grew up on has awakened. The woods are shifting, the soil is dead under her hands, and her bone pile just stood up and walked away. After dropping out of college, all she wanted was to resume her life as a tobacco hand and taxidermist and try not to think about the boy she can't help but love. Instead, a devil from her past has returned to court her, as he did her late mother years earlier. Now, Laurel must unravel her mother's terrifying legacy and tap into her own innate magic before her future and the fate of everyone she loves is doomed. Elizabeth Kilcoyne's Wake the Bones is a dark, atmospheric debut about the complicated feelings that arise when the place you call home becomes hostile. "Seething with shadows, summer, and uniquely southern magic, Wake the Bones is a powerful debut that captures the ache of home being a place you simultaneously love and loathe." - Hannah Whitten, New York Times bestselling author of For the Wolf