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2021 Sydney Taylor Book Award Winners Announced
Winners of the annual Sydney Taylor Book Award were announced by the Association of Jewish Libraries January 25 in a virtual livecast at the Youth Media Awards announcement at the American Library Association. Named in memory of Sydney Taylor, author of the classic All-of-a-Kind Family series, the award recognizes books for children and teens that exemplify high literary standards while authentically portraying the Jewish experience.
A Place at the Table was named a Notable Book of Jewish Content.
Find the full list of winners at www.sydneytaylorbookawards.org.
Laura is offering a new webinar through SCBWI. In “Poetry Speaks Who I Am,” we’ll examine the key ways that verse novels appeal to readers. Writing exercises will include poetic character-building exercises to fill your author’s toolbox, whether you write in verse or prose.
Friends and readers, I am so sad to announce that Rudy passed away in December. You know our Beagle dog from my author photos, taken by Linda Joy Burke. He also appeared in my book Takedown as Lev’s dog, Grover. Rudy was an easy-going, funny pup and best friend to our Schnauzer, Sam. We will miss him.
“Fantastic, Flavor-Filled Food Novels for Kids” by Catherine Hong
Hong says of A Place at the Table, “For all the novel’s sober themes, there’s a lightness and brightness to the story borne out by the girls’ spunky quest to win the contest. And Elizabeth’s delight at the scent of popping cumin seeds and the taste of aloo tikkis ‘sizzling with the aroma of cilantro and olive oil’ will tempt the palates of even die-hard chicken nugget loyalists.”
Check out all of the wonderful books in this review:
MEASURING UP
Written by Lily LaMotte
Illustrated by Ann Xu
A PLACE AT THE TABLE
By Saadia Faruqi and Laura Shovan
AMERICAN AS PANEER PIE
By Supriya Kelkar
THE SURPRISING POWER OF A GOOD DUMPLING
By Wai Chim
Teen Vogue named A Place at the Table one of “Ten Books with South Asian Characters You Should Read in 2020.”
About Me
Laura Shovan is an award-winning poet and middle grade author. Her books for kids include The Last Fifth Grade of Emerson Elementary, Takedown, and A Place at the Table, co-written with Saadia Faruqi. Laura is a longtime poet-in-the-schools in Maryland. She likes to knit, bake, and doodle robots.
