The Coretta Scott King award, an prominent part of the annual ALA Youth Media Awards, honors African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children. This year’s top CSK illustrator award went to Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison Reading Level: Picture Book, ages 4-8 Recommended for: ages 8-12 “It’s me, it’s me, O Lord, standing in the need of prayer.” The author applies this simple sentiment, with its repetitive lines and rollicking melody, to the history of experience of black people in the US. From chains and slave ships to separated families and…

In this “Retro Reads” book, homeschooled Thankful Curtis must leave her beloved island to brave the mainland and boarding school. Bright Island by Mabel Robinson. Random House, 2012 (75th ann. reprint). 288 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended For: Ages 10 and up I really appreciate it when publishers re-issue older books. The market isn’t as wide, no doubt, for these old-fashioned favorites, but they’re worth reading and keeping in print. Bright Island is a great example; this 75th anniversary edition is now 10 years old itself! One of my favorite books growing up was Ruth Sawyer’s Roller Skates (another 1930’s Newbery title); Bright Island reminds me of that same type of old-fashioned fiction.…

A twist on Sleeping Beauty, Princess of the Wild Sea explores the concept of heroism and the danger and reward of risk-taking. Princess of the Wild Sea by Megan Frazer Blakemore. Bloomsbury, 2023, 303 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 A Curse and a Promise Princess Harbor Rose’s 12th birthday was supposed to bring significant changes to her restricted life on Small Island. The story of her situation is well known: how she was cursed at birth by a disgruntled magical aunt, who predicted how a prick to the girl’s finger before her 13th birthday would precipitate death and destruction to her homeland. But another…

A twist on Sleeping Beauty, Princess of the Wild Sea explores the concept of heroism and the danger and reward of risk-taking. Princess of the Wild Sea by Megan Frazer Blakemore. Bloomsbury, 2023, 303 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-14 A Curse and a Promise Princess Harbor Rose’s 12th birthday was supposed to bring significant changes to her restricted life on Small Island. The story of her situation is well known: how she was cursed at birth by a disgruntled magical aunt, who predicted how a prick to the girl’s finger before her 13th birthday would precipitate death and destruction to her homeland. But another…

Victory, Stand!, this year’s ALA YA nonfiction award winner, tells the story of the notorious “Olympic fist” from a point of view that makes it understandable. Victory, Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes, artwork by Dawud Anyabwile. Norton, 2022, 202 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Raising a Champion When the national anthem played, they bowed their heads and raised their fists, sheathed in black leather gloves. Tommie Smith had just won an Olympic gold medal for breaking a record in the 200 meter; his friend and teammate had won bronze. They hadn’t planned what they were going to…

Victory, Stand!, this year’s ALA YA nonfiction award winner, tells the story of the notorious “Olympic fist” from a point of view that makes it understandable. Victory, Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes, artwork by Dawud Anyabwile. Norton, 2022, 202 pages. Reading Level: Middle Grades, ages 10-12 Recommended for: ages 10-15 Raising a Champion When the national anthem played, they bowed their heads and raised their fists, sheathed in black leather gloves. Tommie Smith had just won an Olympic gold medal for breaking a record in the 200 meter; his friend and teammate had won bronze. They hadn’t planned what they were going to…