PHILADELPHIA – The American Library Association (ALA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2014 Schneider Family Book Awards, which honor an author or illustrator for the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. The award was announced today during the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, Jan.24 - 28.
Recipients are selected in three categories: birth through grade school (age 0–8), middle school (age 9–13) and teens (age 14–18). Winners will receive $5,000 and a framed plaque, which will be presented in Las Vegas during the ALA Annual Conference in June.
“A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin,” written by Jen Bryant illustrated by Melissa Sweet and published by Alfred A.Knopf, an Imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Random House, Inc.won the award for young children.
“This picture book biography of self-taught African American folk artist Horace Pippin demonstrates the dogged determination of a wounded soldier to paint again. After a WWI injury threatened to end his potential artistic career, he trained himself to paint by supporting his injured arm with the other hand.”
“Bryant and Sweet’s stunning picture book biography effectively depicts that perseverance and courage are essential ingredients of living with a disability and realizing your dreams.” said Award Chair Alyson Beecher.
“Handbook for Dragon Slayers” written by Merrie Haskell and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers won the award for best middle school title.
“Reluctant Princess Tilda, sheltered due to her deformed foot, longs to escape her destiny. A thwarted kidnapping sends Tilda, Lord Parzifal and her handmaiden Judith on a dragon-hunting quest. Supported by friends and dragons, Tilda realizes her physical limitations do not define her.”
“Ms. Haskell presents a high-spirited fantasy in which an endearing heroine’s perception of what her life can be is altered by her adventure.” said Beecher.
The teen award winner is “Rose Under Fire” written by Elizabeth Wein and published by Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group.
After a daring flight maneuver, young pilot Rose Justice is captured by Nazis and sent to Ravensbrück, the notorious women’s concentration camp. Assigned to a high security unit, Rose survives under the wing of the “Rabbits,” Polish political prisoners, subjected to medical experimentation by Nazi doctors.
“Through Ms. Wein’s searing portrayal, readers experience the physical and emotional consequences of Nazi torture.” said Beecher.
Members of the 2014 Schneider Family Book Award committee are: Chair Alyson Beecher, Pasadena Unified School District, Pasadena, Calif.; Jill Garcia, National Library Service For The Blind & Physically Handicapped, Beltsville, Md.; Peg Glisson, Pittsford, N.Y.; Marilyn M. Irwin, Indiana University-Indianapolis, Bloomington, Ind.;Judy T. Nelson, Pierce County Library System, Tacoma, Wash.; Susan Person, Mamie Doud Eisenhower Public Library, Broomfield, Colo.; and Caroline Ward, The Ferguson Library, Stamford, Conn.
The American Library Association is the oldest and largest library association in the world with approximately 60,000 members. Its mission is to provide leadership for the development, promotion and improvement of library and information services and the profession of librarianship in order to enhance learning and ensure access to information for all.
For more information on the Schneider Family Book Award and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visit www.ala.org/yma.
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