Specifically, three children's books are being honored for their stories, which focus on portraying the disability experience honestly, with compassion, all while emphasizing the value of the individuals portrayed. Read on:
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Three books are being honored for their portrayal of the disability
experience through a special set of awards given alongside the well-known
Caldecott and Newbery Medals.
The winners of this year’s Schneider Family Book Awards include tales of a
boy who stutters, a girl with autism and young adults with intellectual
disabilities during transition.
The Schneider awards are presented annually by the American Library
Association to authors or illustrators for the “artistic expression of the
disability experience.” One award is given for works aimed at each of three
audiences — kids up to age 8, those ages 9 to 13 and teens.
In the youngest category, writer Alan Rabinowitz and illustrator Catia Chien
won for their book “A Boy and a Jaguar,” about a young boy who stutters
uncontrollably except when he talks to animals.
Ann M. Martin’s “Rain Reign” received the middle school award for depicting
the life of a girl with autism who must break her routine in order to find her
beloved dog who goes missing when a storm hits town.
“Martin creates an authentic portrayal of a young girl on the autism
spectrum. In getting to know this resilient character, readers’ misconceptions
about this disability will be altered,” said Alyson Beecher, chair of the
Schneider Family Book Award.
Gail Giles won in the teen category for her book “Girls Like Us,” which
follows two very different young women with disabilities who become roommates
after completing a high school special education program.
“In this surprisingly gripping novel, readers gain insight into the
challenges of young adults with intellectual disabilities. Through an unlikely
friendship, two young women gain empowerment, independence and family,” Beecher
said.
The awards were announced this week at the American Library Association’s
midwinter meeting in Chicago.
At the same time, the organization said this year’s Newbery Medal for
children’s literature will go to Kwame Alexander for “The Crossover” and the
Caldecott Medal for picture books will honor Dan Santat for “The Adventures of
Beekle: The Unimaginary Friend.”
Each of the Schneider recipients will receive $5,000 and a framed plaque at
the library association’s annual conference in San Francisco in June.
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