The 2008 Coretta Scott King Awards include 4 Honor Books in addition to the winners of the 2008 Coretta Scott King Author Award and the 2008 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award. The annual
Coretta Scott King Book Awards honor African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. According to the American Library Association, "The awards are presented annually by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee of the ALA’s Ethnic Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table (EMIERT) to encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts."
The 2008 Coretta Scott King Author Award
Christopher Paul Curtis, author of
Elijah of Buxton, is the winner of the 2008 Coretta Scott King Author Award. (
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“Elijah of Buxton, published by Scholastic, tells the story of 11-year-old Elijah, known to family and friends as “frag-ile,” and the community of former slaves who build a new life in Canada. . . . 'Christopher Paul Curtis is particularly adept at capturing little-known aspects of the African American experience in Canada. Curtis' research brings alive the stories of escaped slaves,' said Award Jury Chair Carole McCollough.” (1/14/08 ALA news release)
The 2008 Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books
- November Blues by Sharon M. Draper, published by Atheneum Books for Young Adults (Compare prices.)
- Twelve Rounds to Glory: The Story of Muhammad Ali, written by Charles R. Smith Jr., illustrated by Bryan Collier, published by Candlewick Press (Compare prices.)
The 2008 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
Writer and artist Ashley Bryan received the 2008 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for
Let it Shine, which was published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers. (
Compare prices.) According to Award Jury Chair Carole McCollough,
“In Let it Shine. . . . Bryan uses bright-colored paper to create the collage figures that cover double-page spreads illustrating three selected spirituals. Bryan's meticulous attention to detail is evident in the accuracy of the musical notations provided for each song.”(1/14/08 ALA news release)
Let It Shine is a beautiful book, one that will delight both children and adults.
The 2008 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books
- The Secret Olivia Told Me, by N. Joy, illustrated by Nancy Devard, published by Just Us Books (Compare prices.)
- Jazz On A Saturday Night, by Leo and Diane Dillon, published by Scholastic Blue Sky Press (Compare prices.)
The 2008 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award
Sundee T. Frazier received the 2008 Coretta Scott King New Author Award for
Brendan Buckley's Universe and Everything in It, which was published by Delacorte Press. (
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