Published:
Jacqueline Woodson Receives Hans Christian Andersen Award, Speaks to Young People at Online Rally
Jacqueline Woodson ’16 (Hon.) has received yet another award for her work, and her books are being widely read and recommended for portraying the black experience.
Woodson is an award-winning author of more than 30 books for children, teens and adults. She attended Adelphi in the 1980s and received an honorary doctoral degree in 2016.
Awarded for Her Work
On May 4, 2020, the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) named Woodson the 2020 recipient of the Hans Christian Andersen Award for writing.
According to the IBBY, all Woodson’s books “feature lyrical language, powerful characters, and an abiding sense of hope. The dialogues are pitch perfect, the stories are raw and fresh, and the endings satiate the reader.”
Recommended Reading
In media outlets and on social media, Woodson’s books are being recommended for those who want to further their knowledge through literature. In “Several Antiracist Books Are Selling Out. Here’s What Else Black Booksellers and Publishers Say You Should Read” in Time, Woodson’s book Brown Girl Dreaming is mentioned. And CNet recommends The Day You Begin and The Other Side in “Books and films to help people of all ages learn about systemic racism and violence.”
Speaking to Young Readers and Parents
On June 4, 2020, Woodson participated in the #KidLit4BlackLives Rally, live on Facebook (now available on YouTube). The event was hosted by The Brown Bookshelf and featured authors and artists speaking out against racism and encouraging young people to take action. As Woodson said: “This is a historical moment, and we are all a part of it. When the story is finally written, which side of history do you want to be on?”
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Adelphi University, New York, is a highly awarded, nationally ranked, powerfully connected doctoral research university dedicated to transforming students’ lives through small classes with world-class faculty, hands-on learning and innovative ways to support academic and career success. Adelphi is one of just four companies and the only university on Long Island to be named among America’s Best Employers by State for 2023 by Forbes.
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Todd Wilson
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