Our clients don’t let “much grass grow underneath their feet,” even in these challenging times. Awards, appearances, and more! Enjoy our good news to share!
AWARDS
Huzzah! Cynthia Leitich Smith is the winner of the NSK 2021 Neustadt Prize for Children’s Literature acknowledging all of her work. 
In addition, she has been named the first Katherine Patterson Chair in VCFA’s MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults. Also, check out her just published interview with Horn Book’s Roger Sutton!
Breaking news! Gordon C. James, illustrator of Derrick Barnes’ picture book I AM EVERY GOOD THING have won the 2020 Kirkus Prize! In addition, James was mentioned in the NPR article titled “A New Picture Book Reminds Black Sons: You Are ‘Every Good Thing.'” Congratulations!
SEMINARS
Christina Dorr is offering through the Bureau of Education and Research a new seminar on using award winning books in your classroom & libraries. Check out this Q&A interview! Some Booking Biz authors & illustrators she’ll be featuring are: Kwame Alexander, Carole Boston Weatherford, Lesa Cline Ransome, Donna Gephart, Bethany Hegedus, Gordon C. James,Vaunda Micheaux Nelson, James E. Ransome, Kelly Starling Lyons, and Javaka Steptoe.
APPEARANCES
Kwame Alexander will be “criss-crossing the country” in the next 2 weeks, with three virtual appearances about his book LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE.
Nov. 17th 7:00 pm ET in conversation with Charlane Oliver of the Equity Alliance in Nashville live on Parnassus Books‘ Facebook page.
Nov. 18th 7:00 pm ET in conversation with Ramunda Lark Young in Washington DC live on Mahogany Books Crowdcast page.
Nov. 21st 4:00 pm ET in conversation with Sheryl Davis of the San Francisco Human Rights Commission (SFHRC) and Mrs. Dalloway’s live on SFHRC Facebook page.
Nov. 20th Calling all Educators! We invite you & your students to virtually join award-winning illustrator Gordon C. James, as he reads his inspirational book I AM EVERY GOOD THING. Register HERE. Thank you to the wonderful NBA team The Charlotte Hornets for supporting literacy through your Pick & Read program!
Nov. 21st FREE community virtual event at The North Carolina Museum of History’s 25th Annual American Indian Heritage Celebration. Join award-winning author Cynthia Leitich Smith as she answers questions about her legacy of books for young readers. Register here.
UPCOMING BOOKS
Look for these new book releases from our clients!
Don Tate 
has two in November with WILLIAM STILL AND HIS FREEDOM STORIES & SWISH: THE SLAM-DUNKING, ALLEY-OOPING, HIGH-FLYING HARLEM GLOBETROTTERS
Kwame Alexander, with James Patterson, released BECOMING MUHAMMAD ALI on October 5th and coming on November 17th, LIGHT FOR THE WORLD TO SEE. Congrats!
Dianne White picture book author, poetry lover, and teacher released SOMETIMES A WALL on October 23rd. Bravo, Dianne!
Carole Boston Weatherford released BEAUTY MARK: A VERSE NOVEL OF MARILYN MONROE, and R-E-S-P-E-C-T: ARETHA FRANKLIN THE QUEEN OF SOUL a month apart. Way to go, Carole!
Tami Charles recently released ALL BECAUSE YOU MATTER , a new picture book! This one will pull at your heart strings! Thank you, Tami!
Lamar Giles Lamar Giles is one of the founding members of We Need Diverse books and writes middle grade 
and teen books. Everyone has been waiting for THE LAST MIRROR ON THE LEFT This is his latest middle grade book, #2 in his series The Legendary Alston Boys of Logan County.
Now pre-ordering Kimberley Willis Holt’s highly anticipated THE AMBASSADOR TO NOWHERE TEXAS, the stunning post 9/11 companion novel to the National Book Award-winner WHEN ZACAHARY BEAVER CAME TO TOWN. 