March: Book Three
The Awards Takeover
An ALA smore report by Caitlin Jacobson, Ketchikan
My committee was the Sibert Informational Book award, which gave the 2017 Medal to Congressman John Lewis and his fellow collaborators for March: Book Three. More on the Sibert to follow, but here are a few notes and clips on the March trilogy.
The trilogy is the Congressman's personal account of the Civil Rights Movement, from his perspective on the front lines.
A nearly clean sweep
March: Book Three won an astounding, first-ever FOUR medals at the Youth Media Awards this year. I haven't done a thorough count, but my count for the series is now SIX!
National Book Award - Young People's Literature
Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature – Young Adult Category ("The Walter")
YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award
YALSA Printz Medal for Excellence in YA Literature
Coretta Scott King Book Award
Sibert Informational Book Award
2016 National Book Awards -Lewis, Aydin & Powell Win Young People's Lit. Award (Full)
Representative John Lewis speaks at the YALSA Morris & Nonfiction Award Program & Presentation
The Congressman responds
"I'm delighted and honored that America's librarians are supporting March with these awards," said Congressman Lewis. "I love books and I love librarians. When I was growing up I tried to read every single thing I could. I hope these awards will help inspire all of our young people — and some of us not so young — to read, to learn, and to act. March is a guidebook reminding us that we all must speak up and stand up for what is right, what is fair, and what is just."
(Remarks posted to the Top Shelf site, full article below.)
Other ALA visits
John Lewis has spoken several times at ALA conferences lately. I was able to hear him speak a few years back when his graphic novel biography, March: Book One, first came out. He spoke last summer about the 3rd volume, and also at the Pulse Memorial program hosted by ALA leadership.
2016 ALA Annual Conference - Rep. John Lewis on Speaking Up