ALA News Release
For Immediate Release
January 27, 2003

American Library Association announces award winners; Grimes, Lewis receive 2003 Coretta Scott King Award

2003 Coretta Scott King Award Winner

Bronx Masquerade, published by Dial Books for Young Readers, is a fast-paced and revealing novel that features the voices of 18 urban youth who share their innermost feelings in their open-mic poetry presentations. Set in a Bronx high school, Grimes’ characters are developed through short monologues paired with self-revealing poetry.

“Grimes boldly offers a glimpse into the heart and suffering of each student, who, like many contemporary youth, struggle to discover their identity,” said Award Committee Chair Fran Ware. “The book’s realistic and edgy portrayal of urban youth is hopeful and positive.”

2003 Coretta Scott King Award Winner

In Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman, also written by Grimes and published by Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc., winning illustrator E.B. Lewis places Bessie at the center of each gracefully composed painting. His precise attention to historic detail in oversized watercolor paintings parallels and extends Grimes’ poetry.

“Each skillfully drawn, realistic and dramatic painting highlights Bessie’s determination, excitement, pride or joy,” Ware said. “Collectively, they shine light on the complexity of her life and times. The elegant sepia-toned thumbnail portraits that accompany each painting complete this satisfying package.”

Occasionally awarded, the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award affirms new talent and offers visibility to excellence in writing or illustration at the beginning of a career as a published children’s book creator. Chill Wind by Janet McDonald is the story of Aisha, an unwed teen mother of two, who is forced to face the termination of welfare benefits. The book is published by Frances Foster Books/Farrar, Straus and Giroux. The Moon Ring , illustrated and written by Randy DuBurke, sends his main character, Maxine, on a wild and surreal adventure across space and time that begins with a simple wish on a magic ring. The book is published by Chronicle Books.

Two King Author Honor Books were selected: Talkin' About Bessie: The Story of Aviator Elizabeth Coleman and The Red Rose Box by Brenda Woods and published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons.

Two King Illustrator Honor Books were selected: Rap a Tap Tap: Here's Bojangles-Think of That!, illustrated and written by Leo and Diane Dillon and published by Blue Sky Press, an imprint of Scholastic, Inc.; and Visiting Langston, illustrated by Bryan Collier, written by Willie Perdomo and published by Henry Holt and Co. Books for Young Readers.

The awards are administered by the Coretta Scott King Task Force of the ALA.

Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by judging committees composed of librarians and other children’s experts, the awards encourage original and creative work. For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables, go online at: http://www.ala.org/pio/bookawards.html. -

Contact: Larra Clark/Paige Wasson
215-418-2429/2430
Copyright © 2002, American Library Association.