A few weeks ago, Essence magazine announced their Essence Literary Awards and Save Our Libraries campaign. Recently, they posted the nominees for each category on their website. The nominees for Children’s Books are: Henry’s Freedom Box by Ellen Levine illustrated by Kadir Nelson/Scholastic (picture book) Henry Box Brown is well known and remembered as a [ Read the full article… ]
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Janet McDonald’s Legacy
I first became aware of Janet McDonald with her memoir, PROJECT GIRL. I related to her girl-woman journey to Vassar College, NYU Law School, and living abroad in Paris. Through her words, I learned of my own inner strength to accomplish my goals, and most of all that it was possible to achieve them. So, [ Read the full article… ]
Charles R. Smith Jr. combines his passions — basketball, photography and writing
I need to preface this highlight by saying that…well, I think the book might be out of print. My apologies. Regardless, I’m highlighting this book and it’s author anyway. For me it was an introduction to a talented author, one whom I plan to follow. In the future, I promise I’ll do my homework to [ Read the full article… ]
Heads Up Vol. II
Heads Up is a reposting of AACBWI’s announcement of book releases that may picque the interest of young African American readers. As a Brown Bookshelf partner, The African American Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators society is dedicated to spreading the word about these and other books that are of special interest to multi-cultural audiences. From Board Books to [ Read the full article… ]
The 28 Days poster
In February, we here at The Brown Bookshelf will begin our first initiative, 28 Days Later. For each day, we will highlight an author of children’s or young adult books. To go along with the initiative, I’ve designed a poster which will be available for download. For now, question marks mask the faces of the [ Read the full article… ]
Thinking Teen
I’ve been asked by both adults and teens, how am I able to write an authentic teen experience, as I’m obviously well beyond my teen years. My answer is always the same: My primary responsibility as a writer, is to write a teen character that’s true to my story and the fictional world I’ve developed. [ Read the full article… ]
Those Who Paved the Way
As we enter awards season, it’s the time to celebrate new voices, but also to pay homage to those who paved the way. So in the spirit of the coming year, here’s a quiz on some African-American children’s literature trailblazers: 1. The first Coretta Scott King Award was given in 1970. Who received it? A. Sharon Bell Mathis, [ Read the full article… ]
The beauty of words
You hear it all the time now, every time you turn on the radio. Syncopated rhythms, heavy beats, words laced together at an alarming speed. But where many people hear blasting music and demeaning lyrics , I hear alliteration, assonance, and allegory. Simply put, I hear poetry. Of course, I’m not saying that there aren’t a [ Read the full article… ]