2004 Winners of the Book Grant

2004 Award and Honor Books

Author Award Winner

The First Part Last, by Angela Johnson (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

The First Part Last takes place in urban New York City and tells the story of Bobby, a 16-year-old artist and single parent raising his daughter alone. In short alternating chapters between “now” and “then,” Bobby struggles to balance the rigors of fatherhood in the absence of Nia, Feather’s mother.

“Bobby, first introduced in Heaven—another Coretta Scott King Award winner (1999)—tells in a gripping first-person narrative the not-so-rosy realities of teen parenthood,” said Award Committee Chair Chrystal Carr Jeter. “Johnson’s powerful portrayal of a sensitive and nurturing young man is about a rare, yet realistic, teen dilemma.”

Born and raised in Tuskegee, Ala., and now living in Kent, Ohio, Johnson is a renowned author of picture books, poems and novels for young readers. She is the 2003 recipient of a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and is a past Coretta Scott King winner and Honor Book awardee.

Honor Book

Days of Jubilee: The End of Slavery in the United States, by Patricia C. and Fredrick L. McKissack (Scholastic)

Illustrator Award Book

Beautiful Blackbird, by Ashley Bryan (Atheneum Books for Young Readers) 

In Beautiful Blackbird , Bryan has adapted a folktale from the Ila-speaking people of Zambia. His rhythmic and often-repeated “black is beautiful, uh-huh” message of self-acceptance and tolerance emphasizes that beauty comes from within.

“Bryan’s vividly colored, silhouetted birds using simply-cut paper collage combines with the rhythm of the lively text to offer a satisfying read aloud,” Jeter said. “’Beautiful Blackbird’ incorporates all the colors of the rainbow, adding to the message that there is room for all of us to fly together.”

Bryan, who lives in Isleford, Maine has been writing and illustrating children’s books for over 30 years. Professor emeritus of Art and Visual Studies at Dartmouth College, Bryan was born in the Bronx. He lectures widely and performs in schools, colleges and universities across the globe.

Author Award Winner

Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes (Dial Books for Young Readers)

Honor Books

The Red Rose Box by Brenda Woods (G. P. Putnam’s Sons)

Talkin’ About Bessie: the Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman by Nikki Grimes (Orchard Books/Scholastic)

Illustrator Award Winner

Talkin’ About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman, illustrated by E.B. Lewis (Orchard Books/Scholastic)

Honor Books

Rap a Tap Tap: Here’s Bojangles—Think of That, illustrated by Leo and Diane Dillion (Blue Sky Press/Scholastic, Inc.)

Visiting Langston, illustrated by Bryan Collier (Henry Holt & Co.)

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The Land by Mildred Taylor (Phyllis Fogelman Books/Penguin Putnam)

The Land is a poignantly crafted story that chronicles the triumphs and struggles of life for Paul-Edward Logan, son of a white slave owner and an enslaved African-Indian woman. Set in Mississippi during the late 1800s, the book introduces readers to the grandfather of Cassie Logan, the impassioned hero of Taylor’s 1977 Newbery Award winner "Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry."

"Taylor offers an ingenious prequel to ’Roll of Thunder,’" said Award Committee Chair Fran Ware. "’The Land’ unveils the precarious world of Paul-Edward Logan, a black boy who could pass for white and invites readers into his remarkable and painful journey to manhood. Taylor makes an exemplary contribution to chronicling the African-American experience with her finely developed characters and well-rounded storyline."

Honor Books

Money-Hungry by Sharon G. Flake (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion)

Thirteen-year-old Raspberry Hill is starved for money and who will do anything legal to get her hands on the dollar. She is obsessed, driven and afraid of being homeless, so she keeps her eyes on the prize: the cold, hard cash.  When the green stuff greases her palm, she gets comfort from feeling its crinkly paper power. Raspberry kisses her cash. She smells it. She loves it. But even money can not answer the questions that keep Raspberry awake at night.

Carver: A Life in Poems by Marilyn Nelson (Front Street)

A series of fifty-nine lyrical poems traces the life of botanist, scholar and inventor George Washington carver revealing a complex and compelling portrait of Carver’s devout and profoundly inspiring life. This unique biographical format is simply illustrated with historic black and white photographs that complement and affirm Carver’s dedication and invaluable contribution to the fabric of American culture.

Illustrator Award Winner

Goin’ Someplace Special, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney; text by Patricia McKissack (Anne Schwartz Book/Atheneum)

Here is McKissack’s own story of growing up in Nashville. As ’Tricia Ann makes her first trip alone to the public library, she confronts the humiliation of a segregated society. Members of her own community and a kind white woman help her rely on her own sense of self-worth to complete the journey to her ’someplace special.’

"With wonderful detail and colors, Pinkney brings us right along with ’Tricia Ann as she travels to the one place she can open the door to freedom," said Award Committee Chair Fran Ware. "His expressive paintings portray the essence of ’Tricia Ann’s emotions as she experiences both the reassurance of her community and the indignities of segregation."

Honor Books

Martin’s Big Words, illustrated by Bryan Collier; text by Doreen Rappoport (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion)

A brief biography of Dr. Martin Luther King uses memorable words from his speeches to highlight important moments in his life. Large type and arresting collages draw the reader’s attention to Dr. King’s powerful statements. Bryan Collier grabs the reader’s emotional attention with collages made from watercolor, torn paper, and photographic images. each illustration powerfully and passionately interprets the big words spoken by Dr. King. Beginning with the strong, striking cover portrait and stained glass end papers, he conveys a reverential feeling in his art, which causes the reader to pause and think about the meaning of Dr. King’s important words.

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2001

Author Award Winner

Miracle’s Boys by Jacqueline Woodson (G.P. Putnam’s Sons)

Set in contemporary Harlem, Miracle’s Boys tells the story of three brothers coping with the death of their parents. In this compelling family drama, Ty’ree, the oldest brother, accepts responsibility for keeping the family together. Charlie, the middle brother, who has just been released from a juvenile correctional facility, comes home angry. Lafayette, the youngest, fears he will be separated from his siblings. It is through Lafayette’s eyes that Woodson skillfully draws the reader into the brothers’ resolve to survive emotional pain and loss.

"Woodson’s poetic and sensitive narrative portrays complex characters who display unconditional love for each other. The revealing, authentic dialogue deftly captures the essence of the characters’ inner turmoil and, layer by layer, uncovers their strength and determination to survive," says Pauletta Brown Bracy, chair of the King Awards Jury.

Honor Books

Let It Shine! Stories of Black Women Freedom Fighters by Andrea Davis Pinkney, illustrated by Stephen Alcorn (Gulliver Books, Harcourt)

Let It Shine! tells the story of ten extraordinary women who fought for civil rights in the 19th and 20th centuries. From Sojourner Truth, Biddy Mason, and Harriet Tubman, who lived in slavery times, to Ida B. Wells Barnett, Mary McLeod Bethune, Ella Josephine Baker, and Dorothy Height, who campaigned for equal rights, to Rosa Parks and Fannie Lou Hamer, who were catalysts of the Civil Rights Movement, to Shirley Chisholm, who pioneered the political arena, these women all lived lives of vision and courage. Pinkney draws upon her own family legacy of political activism, and through a direct and lively voice inspires all readers.

"Pinkney’s selection of ten strong women who took a bold stand for freedom and equality in the United States draws readers into a world of struggle, courage, and activism. Pinkney’s lively and engaging portraits speak directly to us and weave a tapestry of bravery and strength," said Bracy.

Illustrator Award Winner

Uptown by Bryan Collier (Henry Holt)

Uptown creates a wonderful sense of adventure through a visual tour of Harlem. With a confident young boy as a tour guide, Collier’s vibrantly colored collage illustrations shares the pride of his neighborhood. The movement, smells, and sounds of jazz at the Apollo Theater, chicken and waffles, brownstones, and barbershops invites the reader to pay a visit to Uptown

"Bryan Collier’s innovative collage illustrations combine photographs and paint to create architecture, urban landscape, and people in an original way. Through his positive and pride-filled look at a contemporary Harlem, Collier builds form using textual pieces of cut-paper collage, patterns, shapes, and even chocolate bars juxtaposed to one another in a vibrant array of color and character."

Honor Books

Freedom River by Bryan Collier (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion)

Here is the true story of ex-slave John Parker’s daring act, as he leads a slave family to freedom across the Ohio River. Collier’s dramatic collages build up form through cut and torn papers and photographs combined with painting. Emotionally charged compositions dramatize the determination, boldness, and fear of the escape to freedom.

"Collier’s unique collages paint with papers to powerfully highlight the emotions of each moment. Dark blues and brown portray night and interior scenes, while light illuminates feelings on realistically painted faces. The symbolic painting of the flowing river on faces and arms makes a striking visualization of the route to freedom."

Only Passing Through: The Story of Sojourner Truth illustrated by R. Gregory Christie; text by Anne Rockwell (Random House)

Christie’s primitive illustrations and dramatic use of the color red poignantly capture the pain and rage of the slave girl, Isabella. His strong and bold brush strokes compellingly depict how and why the freed slave girl became known as Sojourner Truth.

"Christie’s effective use of color and perspective in his paintings vividly portrays the hard, cruel realities of enslavement. Each emotionally charged painting moves the reader to feel the pain and passion of Sojourner Truth."

Virgie Goes to School with Us Boys illustrated by E.B. Lewis; text by Elizabeth Fitzgerald Howard (Simon & Schuster)

Despite protests from her family, Virgie convinces her family that she is able to walk the long and challenging seven miles to school with her five older brothers. Set during Reconstruction and inspired by the author’s family history, Lewis’s poignant watercolor illustrations beautifully evoke the rural setting as well as Virgie’s persistence and determination to satisfy her hunger for knowledge.

"E.B. Lewis’s luminous and expressive watercolor illustrations depict historical true-to-life characters, conveying their emotions with warmth, consistency, and dignity," said Bracy. "The contrast of pastel browns and greens with bolder colors blend masterfully from cover to cover throughout the story on many double-page spreads; they vividly capture and portray the period and evoke the vastness of both the land and the immensity of Virgie’s undertaking."

Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis (Delacorte)

Ten-year-old Bud Caldwell is an orphan during the Great Depression. Times are difficult in Flint, Michigan, but Bud has wonderful memories of his momma and a set of rules "for having a funner life and making a better liar out of yourself." Armed with a tattered suitcase tied up with string, and flyers advertising the great jazz bandleader Herman E. Calloway & his Dusky Devastators of the Depression, Bud starts walking to Grand Rapids in search of his father.

"Christopher Paul Curtis’s second novel is another strong story about family and spirit," said Deborah D. Taylor, chair, King Awards Jury. "The engaging protagonist, Bud, faces his hard knocks with humor and determination. Through strong characterization and an incredible ability to depict life for African Americans during the Great Depression, Curtis takes us on an unforgettable journey in search of a boy’s family."

Honor Books

Francie by Karen English (Farrar, Straus and Giroux)

In pre-civil-rights-era rural Alabama, Francie is a bright 12-year-old whose happiest escape from the domestic work she does alongside her mother is reading, eating Scooter Pies, and waving at a train that will reunite her family in Chicago. When she attempts to help a friend who is unfairly hunted by the sheriff, she puts her family in danger and faces the harsh realities of racial injustice.

"From beginning to end, the multi-layered cohesive plot captivates the reader as a historical depiction of the black experience unfolds in Alabama in the pre-Civil Rights era. Through a combination of strong, picturesque characterization, descriptive text, and a satisfying ending, Karen English portrays a child’s view of racism and how it affects courageous Francie and her community."

Black Hands, White Sails: The Story of African-American Whalers by Patricia C. and Frederick L. McKissack (Scholastic Press)

Black Hands, White Sails is a vivid, detailed description of African-American contributions to the whaling industry during the 19th century. The industry is revealed as a harsh existence, where low pay and unfair treatment of black seamen prevailed. Yet men of color were undeterred, lured by acceptance based on skill rather than color.

"The flowing narrative rich in historical details and supported by an extensive bibliography brings to life the fascinating stories of Paul Cuffe, Lewis Temple, Frederick Douglass, William Shorey, and other lesser-known black whalers. The McKissacks once again have revealed another aspect of African-American history previously untold.

Monster by Walter Dean Myers (HarperCollins)

Steve is the 16-year-old protagonist on trial for felony murder. In an attempt to understand and cope with his predicament, he writes his story in the form of a movie script, complete with set directions and dialogue. Each character has his or her lines in this drama, allowing readers to determine, for themselves, Steve’s guilt or innocence.

"This is a groundbreaking provocative book in which the format incorporates elements of today’s multimedia world. The narrative is compelling and immediate. Myers uses his unique talent to take readers through the hearts and minds of his characters, even those as troubled as the novel’s protagonist. It is a well structured story that will captivate both teen and adult readers."

Illustrator Award Winner

In the Time of the Drums, ill. by Brian Pinkney; text by Kim L. Siegelson (Jump at the Sun/Hyperion Books for Children)

Young Mentu, born a slave, learns from his grandmother, Twi, "how to be strong." Through the music of her drums, she shares her African spirit; and in a powerful conclusion she leads a boatload of Ibo people into the water to freedom.

"Brian Pinkney’s powerful scratchboard illustrations and a palette that pulsates with the warm colors of the Sea Islands provide a stirring accompaniment to Kim L. Siegelson’s story retold from Gullah legend, of Africans yearning for freedom," said Deborah D. Taylor, chair, King Awards Jury. "Lines reverberate through every page - on hands beating drums, on faces teaching and learning, and on slaves striding into the water to freedom."

Honor Books

My Rows and Piles of Coins, ill. by E. B. Lewis; text by Tololwa M. Mollel (Clarion Books)

With warm earth-tone watercolors, artist E. B. Lewis enhances this contemporary East African story. Saruni, a proud and helpful boy, is committed to easing his mother’s task of taking goods to market. He is determined to learn to ride and purchase a bicycle. Lewis’s illustrations help the reader appreciate Saruni’s struggle & triumph.

"E. B. Lewis’s skillfull watercolors complement and illuminate this engaging story. His careful technique and use of color and light reinforce the strong sense of place and family feeling provided by the narrative. An inviting page design further involves the reader in Saruni’s story of love and determination."

Black Cat by Christopher Myers (Scholastic)

Through innovative design, Christopher Myers has created a provocative and colorful mystique for the urban landscape in this story of a black cat in search of a home.

"Pulsating lyrics and compelling visual imagery complement each other in this story about a cat’s journey. Deftly created with photo collage and gouache and ink, the cat and its search are rhythmic and stirring. The varied styles of art work exceptionally well to convey mood and affirm the reality of city life."

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1999

Author Award Winner

Heaven by Angela Johnson (Simon & Schuster)

In "Heaven," a teenage girl’s life is altered by shattering truths that lead her to question the endearing and secure family relationships that she enjoys. Unforeseen circumstances thrust her into a state of confusion when she learns that her parents are not her birth parents.

King Award Jury Chair Deborah Taylor said, "The author’s compelling first-person narrative is a finely tuned vehicle for an engaging protagonist who speaks with refreshing candor typical of adolescence. Powerful characters and a precise story line give a resonant voice to a credible plot and provocative theme. Johnson’s fluid writing is an invitation for the reader to deepen an appreciation for the universal search for self identity."

Honor Books

Jazmin’s Notebook by Nikki Grimes (Dial Books)

An uplifting story about fourteen-year-old Jazmin who finds strength in writing poetry and keeping a record of the sometimes difficult events in her life. Set in the Harlem of the 1960’s, acclaimed author Nikki Grimes captures all the beauty and chaos of life.

Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence: The Story of New York’s African Burial Ground by Joyce Hansen and Gary McGowan (Henry Holt and Company)

This book describes the discovery and study of the African burial site found in Manhattan in 1991, while excavating for a new building. "Breaking Ground, Breaking Silence" brings us a moving and inspiring portrait of the lives Africans created in colonial New York.

The Other Side: Shorter Poems by Angela Johnson (Orchard Books)

A journey back through time. Angela Johnson recounts her thoughts about growing up in Shorter, Alabama—the people, the landscape, her childhood and adolescence. Johnson evokes a clear voice, rich in emotion that young and old alike will understand.

Illustrator Award Winner

i see the rhythm, ill. by Michele Wood; text by Toyomi Igus (Children’s Book Press)

"i see the rhythm" is a multi-layered history of African-American music that celebrates the far-reaching impact of this art form. The rich text includes words from songs of the various eras, definitions of musical styles and valuable chronological time lines.

"Vibrant, expressionistic paintings blended with innovative fonts and creative page design to enrich this visual chronicle of African-American music from the drum beats of Africa to stirring gospel to the contemporary rhythms of fun, rap and hip hop," Taylor said.

Honor Books

I Have Heard of a Land, ill. by Floyd Cooper; text by Joyce Carol Thomas
(Joanna Cotler Books/HarperCollins)

A moving portait of a few of the men and women who in the late 1800’s journeyed to Oklahoma in the quest for a new life. Floyd Cooper’s rich and warm illustrations act as a beautiful tribute to those courageous men and women who dared to stake their claim.

The Bat Boy and His Violin, ill. by E. B. Lewis; text by Gavin Curtis (Simon & Schuster)

A beautifully told story of family ties and team spirit. E.B. Lewis brings warmth to his story with his lush and vibrant watercolor paintings.

Duke Ellington: The Piano Prince and His Orchestra, ill. by Brian Pinkney; text by Andrea Davis Pinkney (Hyperion Books for Children)

In this brief recounting of the life of Duke Ellington, one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century, Brian Pinkney’s illustrations float off the page, filled with color and movement. You are able to feel the music with every turn of the page.

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1998

Author Award Winner

Forged by Fire by Sharon M. Draper (Atheneum)

The story of a teenager’s struggles to provide stability in his life of abuse and addiction at home. Despite Gerald’s grim experiences, he grows into a steadfast, optimistic, and caring young man.

Calling the story "riveting, realistic, and hopeful," Heather Caines, Chair of the King Awards Jury, said "Draper ably tackles troubling contemporary issues, providing concrete options and positive African American role models. From a fiery beginning to an apocalyptic ending, she immerses the reader in engrossing dialogue and a fast-paced plot."

Honor Books

Bayard Rustin: Behind the Scenes of the Civil Rights Movement by James Haskins (Hyperion)

This moving, inspirational biography profiles the life of Bayard Rustin, a passionate believer in nonviolent resistance. He may not have been a famous orator in the mold of Martin Luther King, Jr., but he was a key player in every civil rights initiative of the 1950s and 60s. Haskins creates a vivid portrait of a man whose life has left a lasting legacy in the struggle for equality and justice.

I Thought My Soul Would Rise and Fly: The Diary of Patsy, a Freed Girl, by Joyce Hansen (Scholastic, Inc.)

Patsy of Mars Bluff, South Carolina, newly freed at the close of the Civil War, explores in her diary her new freedom and the struggles and triumphs of all those around her. Joyce Hansen has written a well-paced energy-filled novel touched with pathos, humor, and suspense, and includes research notes and photographs of the period.

Illustrator Award Winner

In Daddy’s Arms I am Tall: African Americans Celebrating Fathers, ill. by Javaka Steptoe; text by Alan Schroeder (Lee & Low)

The stunning collages of Javaka Steptoe capture the essence of fatherhood in this collection of intergenerational poems. From the Ashanti proverb, "When you follow in the path of your father, you learn to walk like him," to the unconditional love of "Promises," Steptoe’s illustrations provide a picturesque studio for twelve poets.

Of this book Heather Caines says, "A wide variety of mixed media serves as a springboard for Javaka Steptoe’s cerative interpretation of these poems. He combines a wealth of textures and three-dimensional objects into evocatively simple compositions of torn paper, with unique use of line, space and perspective."

Honor Books

Ashley Bryan’s ABC of African American Poetry, by Ashley Bryan (Jean Karl/Atheneum)

Twenty-five short poems by African American poets like Maya Angelou and Paul Laurence Dunbar and one African American spiritual are formed into a lively, colorful illustrated alphabet. Heather Caines says, "Bryan’s illustrations explode onto the page with endless visual energy."

Harlem, ill. by Christopher Myers; text by Walter Dean Myers (Scholastic, Inc.)

Exuberant mixed-media collages illuminate this poetic history and of the past and present glories of Harlem’s people, music, art and literature. Christopher Myers’s highly textured collage work shows great sophistication in the use of line, shape, color, and composition.

The Hunterman and the Crocodile, by Baba Wagué Diakité (Scholastic, Inc.)

In a delightful tale from Mali, West Africa, Donso the Hunterman is saved from the jaws of Bamba the Crocodile through the guile of wily Rabbit. Wagué's work appropriately reflects his West African background; his playful illustrations on hand-painted tiles are the expression of his unique artistic vision.

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1997

Author Award Winner

Slam, by Walter Dean Myers (Scholastic)

The raw and gritty story of a seventeen-year-old, Greg "Slam" Harris, growing up in Harlem. Slam can do it all on the basketball court, but struggles for control of his own life. When his grades drop, he must face his future.

Honor Books

Rebels Against Slavery: American Slave Revolts, by Patricia C. & Frederick L. McKissack (Scholastic, Inc.)

The inspiring stories of the slaves who fought to throw off their chains, including Nat Turner, who led the longest slave revolt in history in 1831, and Cinque, the young African captive who led the revolt on the slave ship La Amistad in 1839.

Illustrator Award Winner

Minty: A Story of Young Harriet Tubman, ill. by Jerry Pinkney; text by Alan Schroeder (Dial Books for Young Readers)

Harriet Tubman, who was known as "Minty" as a girl, was a stubborn and headstrong child. Her dream of freedom was the only thing that made life bearable on the Brodas plantation in the 1820s.

Honor Books

The Palm of My Heart: Poetry by African American Children, ill. by Gregorie Christie; edited by Davida Adedjouma (Lee & Low Books Inc.)

Poems from the Inner City Youth League and the African American Academy for Accelerated Learning celebrate growing up, pride in one’s self, black history, family, spirit and imagination, accompanied by energetic paintings.

Running the Road to ABC, ill. by Reynold Ruffins; text by Denize Lauture (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)

Six Haitian children wake early in the morning to dash off to school, surrounded by Haiti’s colorful landscape.

Neeny Coming, Neeny Going, ill. by Synthia Saint James; text by Karen English (BridgeWater Books)

Strong shapes and colors help tell the story of Essie of South Carolina’s Daufuskie Island, who eagerly awaits the visit of her "fancy" cousin Neeny.

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