All of the Newberys were Fiction and so I read them all. All of the Caldecotts were Fiction and so I read them all. Now, all of the Caudill Nominees are Fiction and guess what? I have them all at home waiting for me to read (minus the six that I’ve already read, whew!). Oh Happy Day! There were five books recognized by the Coretta Scott King Award Committee and of the five, only ONE, glorious ONE, was Fiction. For those of you who don’t know, I read a lot, but if it is Non-Fiction, I give myself a break. Not that I don’t read Non-Fiction, but I’m certainly more choosey about which books I read. And I might just glance through – I don’t hang on every word.
Never Forgotten is a bit of an anomaly. It looks like a picture book – it is picture book format. It looks like poetry – it is written in verse. And it reads like folklore – the author even admits she has turned African history into folklore. So why does it have a great big J on the spine?!?! Perhaps so that I have to read it? Smirk.
I’m surprised that it didn’t win the award for illustrations. The illustrations are gorgeous, GORGEOUS! The colors are vivid, yet earthy. The lines are strong and heavy, yet full of movement. All five recognized books are picture book format, but this is my favorite by far. It just is. It pleases me. Leo and Diane Dillon are award-winning illustrators and they do not disappoint here.
The story is new, created, but moving and based upon cultural history and legends. There was a blacksmith named Dinga whose wife died giving childbirth. Because blacksmiths were honored as magicians with close ties to the Mother Elements, Dinga chose to raise his son, Musafa, with the aid of Earth, Fire, Water and Wind against the better judgment of the midwives. Musafa became Dinga’s apprentice and learned the art of blacksmithing, until the day the white men came and stole Musafa away. Dinga sent each of the elements to find Musafa. It isn’t until the Wind blows up a hurricane onto the Americas that Musafa is found. Dinga celebrates the discovery that Musafa is working as a blacksmith in Charleston. Dinga celebrates that Musafa was taken but never forgotten.
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are designed to commemorate the life and works of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and to honor Mrs. Coretta Scott King for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace. The Coretta Scott King Book Awards annually recognize outstanding books for young adults and children by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience. Further, the Award encourages the artistic expression of the black experience via literature and the graphic arts in biographical, social, and historical treatments by African American authors and illustrators.
The 2013 Coretta Scott King Book Award for author winner is Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson (J973.0496/N – American History). Two additional books were honored this year – The Great Migration: Journey to the North written by Eloise Greenfield and illustrated by Jan Spivey Gilchrist (J811.54/G – Poetry); and Never Forgotten written by Patricia C. McKissack and illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillon (J – Chapter Book)
The 2013 Coretta Scott King Book Award for illustrator winner is Underground: Finding the Light to Freedom written and illustrated by Shane W. Evans (J973.7115/E – American History). One additional book was honored this year – none other than Heart and Soul: The Story of America and African Americans written and illustrated by Kadir Nelson.
No comments:
Post a Comment