Bookish Ballyhoo: Lerner at ALA Youth Media Awards

If you missed the American Library Association’s presentation of the 2013 Youth Media Awards this morning–and are wondering if Lerner came away with any laurels–wonder no longer. Now that the cheering has died down, some more coherent congratulations are in order….

Carolrhoda Lab’s No Crystal Stair, written by Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, is an ALA 2013 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book. This award is given annually to an African American author for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions. 

In No Crystal Stair, Nelson traces the life and work of her great-uncle, renowned Harlem bookseller Lewis Michaux. Once advised by a white banker to sell fried chicken instead of books because “Negroes don’t read,” Michaux became a literacy pioneer of the Civil Rights era.

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) chose Graphic Universe’s A Game for Swallows, by Zeina Abirached (translated from French by Edward Gauvin), as a 2013 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book. The Batchelder Honor recognizes outstanding children’s books originally published in a foreign language in a country other than the U.S. and translated into English.

Centered on the events of a single evening in war-torn Beirut, this graphic novel distills Lebanese-born author Abirached’s childhood memories into an inspiring story about the strength of family and community.

To Vaun, Zeina, and all the folks at Carolrhoda Lab and Graphic Universe, we extend a hearty, well-deserved pat on the back.

Congratulations to all the other ALA award winners as well! We are thrilled to be recognized alongside so many worthy honorees.