National Green Book Awards Unveiled
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SLJ Staff -- School Library Journal, 4/7/2008 2:05:00 PM
A brave little bear who tries to fight global warming and a girl’s fantasy-filled journey that includes environmental protection and world peace are winners of this year’s National Green Earth Book Awards highlighting the best children’s and young adult books that inspire environmental stewardship.
Sponsored by the Newton Marasco Foundation, a nonprofit environmental organization, the literature award not only raises awareness of environmental issues, but also instills a sense of responsibility for nurturing, protecting, and defending the natural environment.
Seventy-five books were nominated for the 2008 Green Earth Book Awards in three categories: children's fiction, for readers up to 12 years old; young adult fiction, for readers between 13 and 21 years old; and nonfiction, for readers up to 21 years old. "Whether through beautiful storytelling, simple tips, or fun illustrations, each of these books inspires young readers to play an important role in caring for the environment," says Mary Alex, president of the Newton Marasco Foundation. “Parents and educators will find a wealth of wisdom in these books, imparting important lessons to youth in a fun, engaging way.”
The winners of the 2008 Green Earth Book Awards in each category are:
Children's Fiction
Winston of Churchill: One Bear's Battle Against Global Warming (Sasquatch) by Jean Davies Okimoto, illustrated by Jeremiah Trammell. A little bear named Winston notices that his icy home of Churchill, Manitoba, the polar bear capital of the world, is slowly melting away. Using the stirring words of his famous namesake, Winston rallies the bears to convince humans to save their Arctic home.
Young Adult Fiction
The Light-Bearer's Daughter (Abrams) by O. R. Melling. A 12-year-old’s journey through the mountains of Ireland balances and supports the tale's calls for environmental protection and world peace.
Nonfiction
The Down-to-Earth Guide to Global Warming (Scholastic) by Laurie David and Cambria Gordon. David, a Los Angeles-based author and Academy Award-winning producer of An Inconvenient Truth, partnered with environmentalist and writer Gordon to create this book, which includes simple suggestions for kids to combat global warming in their homes, schools, and communities.
Each winning author and illustrator receives $2,500, as well as $500 to donate to an environmental organization of the winner's choice. Okimoto's contribution will go to Polar Bears International, dedicated to worldwide conservation of the polar bear. Melling has chosen the Golden Eagle Reintroduction Project, which seeks to reintroduce the golden eagle to western Ireland, where the bird became extinct in 1910. David and Gordon's contribution will go to Stopglobalwarming.org, an Internet-based grassroots organization founded by David.
In addition to the award winners, the 2008 Honor Books are:
- Adventures of Riley: Polar Bear Puzzle (Eaglemont Press) by Amanda Lumry and Laura Hurwitz
- An Inconvenient Truth: The Crisis of Global Warming (Viking) by Al Gore and adapted by Jane O'Connor
- On Meadowview Street (Greenwillow), written and illustrated by Henry Cole
- Secrets of the Sirens (Marshall Cavendish) by Julia Golding
- The Sorta Sisters (Peachtree) by Adrian Fogelin
