For Immediate Release Saturday, 02/10/2018
Contact: Naomi Bishop, MLIS President, American Indian Library Association
DENVER— The American Indian Library Association (AILA), an affiliate of the American Library Association (ALA), has selected “Shanyaak’utlaax: Salmon Boy” (2017), published by Sealaska Heritage Institute, edited by Tlingit speakers Johnny Marks, Hans Chester, David Katzeek, Nora Dauenhauer and Tlingit linguist Richard Dauenhauer and illustrated by Tlingit artist Michaela Goade as the 2018 AILA Best Picture Book; “Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers Volume 1” (2016), published by Native Realities, edited by Arigon Starr and featuring the work of Theo Tso, Jonathan Nelson, Kristina Bad Hand, Roy Boney Jr., Lee Francis IV, Johnnie Diacon, Weshoyot Alvitre, Renee Nejo, and Michael Sheyahshe as the 2018 AILA Best Middle School Book; and “#Not Your Princess: Voices of Native American Women” (2017),published by Annick Press, edited by Lisa Charleyboy and Mary Beth Leatherdale as the 2018 AILA Best Young Adult Book.
The American Indian Youth Literature Awards are presented every two years. The awards were established as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians and Alaska Natives. Books selected to receive the award will present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts. Honor Books were selected each category.
2018 Picture Book Honors: All Around Us (2017), written by Xelena González and illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia, Cinco Puntos Press. Black Bear Red Fox (2017), written and illustrated by Julie Flett, Native Northwest. Fall in Line, Holden! (2017), written and illustrated by Daniel W. Vandever, Salina Bookshelf, Inc. I’m Dreaming Of…Animals of the Native Northwest (2017), written by Melaney Gleeson-Lyall and illustrated by First Nations Artists, Native Northwest. Mission to Space (2016), written and illustrated by John Herrington, White Dog Press.
2018 Middle Grade Honor Book:
The Wool of Jonesy Part 1(2016) written and illustrated by Jonathan Nelson, Native Realities.
2018 Young Adult Honor Books: Love Beyond Body, Space, and Time: An Indigenous LGBT Sci-Fi Anthology (2016) edited by Hope Nicholson, Bedside Press. Marrow Thieves (2017) written by Cherie Dimaline, DCB (submitted by Orca Books). Fire Starters (2016) written by Jen Storm; illustrated by Scott B. Henderson, and color artist Donovan Yaciuk, HighWater Press.
The American Indian Library Association is a membership action group that addresses the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Members are individuals and institutions interested in the development of programs to improve library cultural and informational services in school, public, and academic libraries. AILA is committed to disseminating information about Indian cultures, languages, values, and traditions to the library community. https://ailanet.org/