Vaunda Micheaux Nelson’s love of history and family is reflected in many of her award-winning books. THE BOOK ITCH: FREEDOM, TRUTH & HARLEM’S GREATEST BOOKSTORE won a 2016 Jane Addams Children’s Book Honor and a 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor for R. Gregory Christie’s illustrations. NO CRYSTAL STAIR: A DOCUMENTARY NOVEL OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF LEWIS MICHAUX, HARLEM BOOKSELLER won the 2012 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction and a 2013 Coretta Scott King Author Honor. Vaunda received the 2010 Coretta Scott King Author Award for BAD NEWS FOR OUTLAWS: THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF BASS REEVES, DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL.

BOOKS

LET ‘ER BUCK! GEORGE FLETCHER, THE PEOPLE’S CHAMPION (Carolrhoda, 2019, Illustrated by Gordon C. James)

DREAM MARCH: DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. AND THE MARCH ON WASHINGTON, A Step-Into-Reading Book (Random House Children’s Books, 2017, Illustrated by Sally Wern Comport)

• A Chicago Public Library Best Book of 2017
• A 2018 New Mexico-Arizona Book Award
• Starred review in School Library Journal – “. . . A smart narrative and skillfully done illustrations make this introduction to Martin Luther King, Jr. and the civil rights movement one all libraries will want to consider.”

DON’T CALL ME GRANDMA (Carolrhoda, 2016, Illustrated by Elizabeth Zunon)

• A Best Book of 2016, National Public Radio
• A 2017 New Mexico-Arizona Book Award
• ‘Review of the Day’ by Betsy Bird – “ . . . Nell isn’t just a character. She comes off the page like a full-blown human being, warts and all (just an expression — Nell would take me to the cleaners if she heard me indicating she has any warts). Sharp and smart, this is one of those picture books I’d like to see more of. Which is to say, stories I’ve never seen before.”

THE BOOK ITCH: FREEDOM, TRUTH & HARLEM’S GREATEST BOOKSTORE (Carolrhoda, 2015, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie)

• 2016 Jane Addams Children’s Book Honor
• 2016 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
• A 2016 New Mexico-Arizona Book Award
• School Library Journal Starred Review – “ . . . Told from the point of view of Lewis Michaux Jr.—the bookstore owner’s son and the author’s relative—this title clearly explains what made this bookstore unique. . . A strong endorsement of the power of books and reading, an excellent choice for history and biography collections, and a strong choice for educators emphasizing the importance of community.”
• Starred Review in Kirkus – “A man with a mission leaves a memorable mark in Harlem. The National Memorial African Bookstore and its owner, Lewis Michaux, were vibrant Harlem fixtures for many years. Nelson, who told her great-uncle’s story for teen readers in the award-winning NO CRYSTAL STAIR, also illustrated by Christie, now turns to the voice of Michaux’s son as narrator in this version for a younger audience .  .  . From the author’s heart to America’s readers: a tribute to a man who believed in and lived black pride.”

NO CRYSTAL STAIR: A DOCUMENTARY NOVEL OF THE LIFE AND WORK OF LEWIS MICHAUX, HARLEM BOOKSELLER (Carolrhoda Lab, 2012, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie)

• 2012 Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Fiction
• 2013 Coretta Scott King Author Honor
• Best of Show, 2012 New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards
• School Library Journal Starred Review – “ . . . Detailed source and biographical notes depict the research process, while the text reflects Nelson’s skill of blending fact and fiction. Using extensive interviews, magazine and newspaper articles, church publications, books, and FBI files (tracking Michaux’s political actitives), Nelson recounts her great-uncle’s enterprising and unflinching efforts to enrich and empower fellow African Americans. The storytelling format, candid perspectives, supplemental images, and historic connections bring to life an unheralded individualist whose story will engage readers.”
• Horn Book Starred Review “ . . . An extraordinary, inspiring book to put into the hands of scholars and skeptics alike.”
• Publishers Weekly Starred Review “ . . . Nelson and Christie deliver an engrossing blend of history, art, and storytelling in this deeply moving tribute to a singular individual.”

BAD NEWS FOR OUTLAWS: THE REMARKABLE LIFE OF BASS REEVES, DEPUTY U.S. MARSHAL (Carolrhoda, 2009, Illustrated by R. Gregory Christie)

• 2010 Coretta Scott King Author Award
• 2010 Simon Weisenthal “Once Upon a World” Children’s Book Award
• 2010 Carter G. Woodson Honor Book
• 2011 Anne Izard Stortyteller’ Choice Award
• 2010 Western Writers of America Spur Finalist
• American Library Association 2010 Notable Children’s Book
• A Washington Post and Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
• Booklist Starred Review – “An exciting subject captured with narrative panache and visual swagger, Bass Reeves stands to finally gain his share of adulation from kids drawn to the rough-and-tumble Old West.”
• Starred in Kirkus Reviews – “ . . .  children can saddle up with a genuine Western hero in a narrative that hits the bull’s-eye,”

JUNETEENTH (Millbrook Press, 2006, Co-authored by Drew Nelson, Illustrated by Mark Schroder)

• Booklist – “This entry in the On My Own Holidays series offers a solid introduction to the holiday for independent readers. . . . leaping, embracing figures convey the resilience and rejoicing of celebrants then and now.”
• School Library Journal – “The description of slavery is brave in its honesty, difficult to read but necessary to understand. . . . Realistic paintings in vibrant colors illustrate these easy readers.”

ALMOST TO FREEDOM (Carolrhoda Books, 2003, Illustrated by Colin Bootman)

• 2004 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
• From School Library Journal – “A compelling story told from the point of view of an enslaved child’s beloved rag doll. . . This accessible story is told in language that is within the experience of a young child and makes its impact without frightening or overwhelming readers. It is ultimately a story of hope and resilience, love and friendship. The evocative oil paintings are expertly rendered and effectively convey the powerful emotions of the tale.”

READY? SET. RAYMOND! A Step-Into-Reading Book (Random House, 2002, Illustrated by Derek Anderson)

• From Book Magazine –  “This jaunty book for beginning readers skillfully succeeds in the difficult task of creating an entertaining story with very short sentences and simple words. Like many kids, Raymond does everything fast despite his parents’ advice to slow down.  .  . Upbeat illustrations show this boy dashing through life surrounded by friends and family.”

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