True historical stories inspire Carnegie and Greenaway winners
22 June 2015
From the section Entertainment & Arts
Buffalo Soldier was inspired by the true story of former slave Cathy Williams, the only known African-American woman to enlist in the US army, disguised as a man
Real-life historical adventures have inspired both winners of this years CILIP Carnegie & Kate Greenaway medals.
Tanya Landman’s Buffalo Soldier won the Carnegie medal and was influenced by the true story of former slave Cathy Williams, who enlisted as a man in the US army.
Debut author William Grill won the Kate Greenaway Medal for his illustrated book Shackleton’s Journey.
At 25 he is the youngest winner of the medal since 1960.
The prizes are each awarded annually to a book for young people. Agnes Guyon, chair of this year’s judging panel, said: “These books push boundaries, from Charley O’Hara’s often harrowing experiences in Buffalo Soldier, to the brutal landscapes and innovative colours of Shackleton’s Journey.
“They do not shy from difficult topics but are ultimately life-affirming in the view they offer of the human spirit’s will to survive and succeed.”
The winners receive £500 worth of books to donate to their local library.
Grill, as winner of the CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, is also awarded the £5,000 Colin Mears Award cash prize.
He beat the newly crowned Children’s Laureate, Chris Riddell, to the title.
Landman used her winner’s speech to call for schools and libraries to be given the support they need to help children unleash their imaginations.
William Grill …read more
Source:: BBC Entertainment
