Press Release Fun: Arming the Gatekeepers

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Arming The Gatekeepers

The Brown Bookshelf Announces 2009 Spotlight Authors & Illustrators

The Brown Bookshelf, today, announced the twenty-four authors and four illustrators to be spotlighted in the groups’ second annual 28 Days Later initiative, a month-long celebration of veteran and emerging children’s authors of color. “Spotlighting these authors is like giving a big gift to the readers of the world,” said Brown Bookshelf member, Paula Chase Hyman. “There’s a palpable excitement when we talk about showcasing authors, some who are potentially unknown or not well known among librarians, teachers and parents.”

Once again writers, publishers and readers of children’s literature answered the groups’ call to present African American authors who may be flying under the radar of librarians and teachers. Close to one hundred names of Picture Book, Middle Grade and Young Adult authors were submitted at the Brown Bookshelf website. “Admittedly the submission pool was not as deep as this year,” said Brown Bookshelf member, Varian Johnson. “That was disappointing. But it only meant we had to dig deeper this year to identify who was out there that needed to be put in front of readers and influencers.”

The five members — Hyman, Johnson, Carla Sarratt, Don Tate and Kelly Starling Lyons — culled submitted names down to eight authors per literary category via research, speaking to booksellers and librarians and using circulation and library inventory data. “There’s something momentous about unveiling this year’s roster at the same time that we’re about to welcome an African American president who also happens to be an author,” said member Sarratt. “The time is ripe for people to embrace authors of color. So we’re excited to put these talented authors and illustrators in front of potential readers of all races.”

Member Tate will design a color 28 Days Later poster featuring the honorees. It will be available for download at www.thebrownbookshelf.com.

The authors and illustrators, their most current book and the day they will be featured are as follows:

Authors in bold are veteran authors
Illustrators are in italics

Feb1: Sharon Draper – November Blues (Atheneum, 2007)
Feb 2: Crystal Hubbard – The Last Black King of the Kentucky Derby: The Story of Jimmy Winkfield (Lee & Low Books, 2008)
Feb 3: Nicole Tadgell (Ill.) – No Mush Today (Lee & Low Books, 2008)
Feb 4: Tia Williams – Sixteen Candles (Hyperion, 2008)
Feb 5: Julius Lester – Guardian (Amistad, 2008)
Feb 6: Philana Marie Boles – Little Divas (Amistad, 2005)
Feb 7: Zetta Elliott – Bird (Lee & Low Books, 2008)
Feb 8: Angela Johnson – Lily Brown’s Paintings (Orchard Books, 2007)
Feb 9: Pat Cummings – Harvey Moon, Museum Boy (HarperCollins, 2008)
Feb 10: Floyd Cooper (Ill.) – Becoming Billie Holiday ( Wordsong, 2008 ); Willie and the All-Stars (Philomel, 2008)
Feb 11: Tanita S. Davis – A La Carte (Knopf, 2008)
Feb 12: Derrick Barnes – Ruby and the Booker Boys #4: Ruby Flips for Attention (Scholastic, 2009)
Feb 13: Brenda Woods – My Name is Sally Little Song (Putnam, 2006)
Feb 14: Greg Foley (Ill.) – Don’t Worry Bear (Viking, 2008); Good Luck Bear (Viking, 2009); Willoughby and the Lion (HarperCollins, 2009)
Feb 15: Joyce Hansen – African Princess: The Amazing Lives of Africa’s Royal Women (Hyperion, 2004)
Feb 16: Vaunda Micheaux Nelson – Juneteenth (Millbrook Press, 2005)
Feb 17: London Ladd (Ill.) – March On!: The Day My Brother Martin Changed The World (Scholastic, 2008)
Feb 18: Marilyn Nelson – Freedom Business: Including a Narrative of the Life & Adventures of Venture (Front Street, 2008)
Feb 19: Andrea Davis Pinkney – Boycott Blues: How Rosa Parks Inspired a Nation (Amistad, 2008)
Feb 20: Deborah Gregory – Catwalk (Delacorte, 2008)
Feb 21: Evelyn Coleman – Freedom Train (Margaret K. McElderry, 2008)
Feb 22: Jacqueline Woodson – Peace, Locomotion (Putnam, 2009)
Feb 23: Lesa Cline-Ransome – Helen Keller: The World in Her Heart (HarperCollins, 2008)
Feb 24: Cornelius Van Wright (Ill.) – Princess Grace (Dial, 2008)
Feb 25: Sherri Winston – The Kayla Chronicles (Little, Brown, 2008)
Feb 26: Shelia P. Moses – Joseph (Margaret K. McElderry, 2008)
Feb 27: Monalisa DeGross – Donovan’s Double Trouble (Amistad, 2007)
Feb 28: Monica McKayhan – Jaded (Kimani, 2008); The Pledge (Kimani, 2008)

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