'Make Books, Not War'

Every year since 1953, the Jane Addams Peace Association and the Women's International League for Peace and Freedom present the Jane Addams Children's Book Awards to children's books that promote peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and all races.  The awards were announced this past weekend, and I'm happy to report that We Shall Overcome: The Story of a Song was named an Honor Book in the Books for Younger Children category.  "With lively illustrations and moving prose, the book explores the power of community through the story of one song," the press release announcing the awards stated.I am honored that the Jane Addams committee chose to recognize this book, so beautifully illustrated by Vanessa Brantley-Newton, with this award.  And when I look at the company our book is keeping--wow!  The two top award winners this year are Brave Girl: Clara and the Shirtwaist Makers' Strike of 1909, written by Michelle Markel and illustrated by Melissa Sweet; and Sugar, by Jewell Parker Rhodes.  The other Honor Books are Razia's Ray of Hope: One Girl's Dream of an Education, written by Elizabeth Suneby and illustrated by Suana Verelst; Seeing Red, by Kathryn Erskine; and Brotherhood, by Anne Westrick.  All are books based on great ideas (that I wish I'd had!) and wonderfully executed.  Coincidentally, Anne Westrick and Kathy Erskine and I met up at the Virginia Festival of the Book last month.  Anne and I were giving back-to-back presentations at an Albemarle County middle school.  Was there magic dust in the air there in Charlottesville?The heading on this blog post, "Make Books, Not War," isn't my own formulation, by the way--I cribbed it from the Jane Addams Peace Association website.  It's catchy!