I was so happy to see multicultural children’s books win ALA awards (that were not specific diversity awards such as the Pura Belpré, the Coretta Scott King, or the Schneider Family Book Award. Many are on my to-be-found-and-read-pile so I thought I’d share a few of them today.
2014 Printz Award Honor Books: Eleanor & Park by Rainbow Rowell
Eleanor, 15, is the new girl at school and bullied because she’s overweight and dresses in a flamboyant manner. Park is a half-Korean boy who has lived in Omaha, Nebraska, all his life but still feels like an outsider. This is a story of first love, which very slowly builds from the first day Eleanor sits next to Park on the school bus. from School Library Journal
2014 Alex Awards (for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences): Lives of Tao by Wesley Chu
When out-of-shape IT technician Roen woke up and started hearing voices in his head, he naturally assumed he was losing it.
He wasn’t.
He now has a passenger in his brain – an ancient alien life-form called Tao, whose race crash-landed on Earth before the first fish crawled out of the oceans. Now split into two opposing factions – the peace-loving, but under-represented Prophus, and the savage, powerful Genjix – the aliens have been in a state of civil war for centuries. Both sides are searching for a way off-planet, and the Genjix will sacrifice the entire human race, if that’s what it takes.
Meanwhile, Roen is having to train to be the ultimate secret agent. Like that’s going to end up well…
2014 YALSA Award Finalists
Imprisoned: The Betrayal of Japanese Americans During World War II by Martin W. Sandler
While Americans fought for freedom and democracy abroad, fear and suspicion towards Japanese Americans swept the country after Japan’s sneak attack on Pearl Harbor. Culling information from extensive, previously unpublished interviews and oral histories with Japanese American survivors of internment camps, Martin W. Sandler gives an in-depth account of their lives before, during their imprisonment, and after their release. Bringing readers inside life in the internment camps and explaining how a country that is built on the ideals of freedom for all could have such a dark mark on its history, this in-depth look at a troubling period of American history sheds light on the prejudices in today’s world and provides the historical context we need to prevent similar abuses of power.
Courage Has No Color: The True Story of the Triple Nickles, America’s First Black Paratroopers by Tanya Lee Stone
They became America’s first black paratroopers. Why was their story never told? Sibert Medalist Tanya Lee Stone reveals the history of the Triple Nickles during World War II.
Welcome to the 32nd Kid Lit Blog Hop where twice per month (the 1st and 3rd Wednesday) we continue to develop a dynamic and engaged community of children’s books bloggers, authors, publishers, and publicists. So, you are always more than welcome to join us by popping in a post and hopping around to meet some of your fellow Kid Lit bloggers and authors!
We are pleased to welcome with us this week a new full-time permanent hostess on the Hop, Maria from the blog Music Teaching and Parenting is joining us. Plus, we are also happy to have Savannah Mae from the book blog Say What? Savannah Mae Book Reviews. Big welcome to Maria and Savannah Mae!
Happy Hopping everyone and enjoy the Hop!
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Hostesses:
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Co-Hostess:
Savannah Mae @ Say What? Savannah Mae Book Reviews Twitter * Facebook
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My books:
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Food for the Future: Sustainable Farms Around the World
- Junior Library Guild Gold selection
- Massachusetts Book Award Long List
- Selected as one of 100 Outstanding Picture Books of 2023 by dPICTUS and featured at the Bologna Children’s Book Fair
- Starred review from School Library Journal
- Chicago Library’s Best of the Best
- 2023 INDIES Book of the Year Awards Finalist
- Green Earth Book Award Long List
- Imagination Soup’s 35 Best Nonfiction Books of 2023 for Kids
Amazon / Barefoot Books / Signed or Inscribed by Me
Amazon / Scholastic / Signed or Inscribed by Me
I was surprised by the words of swearing in the first pages of “Eleanor & Park.” But a story of first love is always nice to read.
Hi Giora,
I haven’t read Eleanor and Park yet but I was forewarned that it’s for a high school audience. I am curious to read Rainbow Rowell’s work, I heard she is amazing! I don’t think I would, after all, give this book to my 8th grader; she’s probably too young but I wonder if she would be totally nonplussed by the swearing.
There are so many here I can’t wait to read. I loved Eleanor & Park.
Hi Erica,
It’s on my list to read! I had hoped it would be a good book for my 8th grade daughter but I think that she might be a few years too young for it.
These books sound excellent. Adding them to my to-read list!
Thanks MaryAnne! I have a pile on that list I want to read too!
I love your book lists! Thanks for sharing at the After School Linky each week!
Thanks so much for hosting and for stopping by!