Shari Green of Campbell River won the ALA Schneider Family Book Award in the Middle School Books category for her middle-grade novel Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess (Pajama Press $12.95 pb). The American Library Association (ALA) oversees the Schneider Family Book Awards which honor an author or illustrator for an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. Recipients are selected in three categories: birth through grade school (age 0-8), middle grades (age 9-13) and teens (age 14-18). Winners receive $5,000 and a framed plaque. The ALA Award Jury Chair Joanna Tamplin said,"Green uses the importance of stories and storytelling to highlight our common bonds, despite age, illness, or disability." It's a free-novel that introduces the reader to deaf, sixth-grader Macy's world. An elderly neighbour, Iris, learns how to communicate with Macy through sign language, and Macy, in turn, learns how Iris sends messages through the gift of cookies. Their friendship helps Macy to navigate friendships, family changes and school assignments. Shari Green's first middle-grade verse novel, Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles (2016). as well as Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess (2017) will be followed by Missing Mike (2018). Shari Green also works as a Practical Nurse. Macy: 978-1-77278-017-8

BOOKS

Missing Mike (Pajama Press, 2018) $18.95 978-1-77278-045-1
Macy McMillan and the Rainbow Goddess (Pajama Press, 2017) $12.95
Root Beer Candy and Other Miracles (Pajam Press, 2016)

 

[BCBW 2018]