Coretta Scott King 2016 Awards Announced!
by krayla
The news is out! At its Midwinter Conference, the American Library Association named several recipients of the Coretta Scott King Awards! These awards are given annually to African American authors, illustrators, and community workers who "demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values" in honor of Coretta Scott King and Martin Luther King, Jr. Read on to find out who won this year!
Rita Williams-Garcia won the Coretta Scott King Author Award this year for her newest title, Gone Crazy in Alabama. This award-winning novel continues the series that started with One Crazy Summer, featuring the Gaither sisters. When they visit family in rural Alabama for the summer and are met with catastrophe, the Gaithers have to forget their family feuds and work together.
Bryan Collier won the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for Trombone Shorty, an inspiring autobiography of jazz musician Troy Andrews. School Library Journal adds that, "Collier's beautiful watercolor, pen-and-ink, and collage artwork picks up the rhythm and pace of Andrew's storytelling, creating an accompaniment full of motion and color. Each spread offers a visual panoply of texture, perspective, and angles, highlighting the people and the instruments."
Ronald L. Smith received the John Steptoe New Talent Author Award for his first novel, Hoodoo. This is the suspense-filled, supernatural story of Hoodoo, a boy named for his family's practice of folk magic. Although he can't perform one spell, a creepy man is asking around town for him. The mysterious man seems to have a connection with Hoodoo's deceased father and will only leave him alone if lent a hand.
Ekua Holmes was awarded the John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award for Voice of Freedom: Fannie Lou Hamer, Spirit of the Civil Rights Movement. The vibrant and varied illustrations highlight the work and perseverance of Fannie Lou Hamer, a hero of the Civil Rights Movement. Booklist supports that "...the illustrations are filled with light, texture, movement, and darkness. They are both abstract and realistic, brilliantly juxtaposing gentle floral motifs with protest placards and Fannie Lou Hamer's face in bold relief."
Last, but certainly not least, Jerry Pinkney received the Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement! Pinkney is well-known for his Caldecott Award-winning title, The Lion & the Mouse. According to ALA's press release, "Jerry Pinkney’s illustrations detail a world that resonates with readers long after the pages of a book have been turned. His five decades of work offer compelling artistic insights into the legacy of African American storytelling and experience."
For even more winning titles, authors, and illustrators, check out AADL's list of all Award Winners!
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