Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library is a 2017 non-fiction children's book written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Eric Velasquez. It provides a biography of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, a Puerto Rican-American bibliophile and curator.
 First edition cover | |
| Author | Carole Boston Weatherford |
|---|---|
| Publisher | Candlewick Press |
Publication date | September 12, 2017 |
| Pages | 48 |
| Awards |
|
| ISBN | 978-0-7636-8046-6 |
The book was well-received by critics. In 2018, it won a Walter Dean Myers Award and Golden Kite Award, among other honors.
Reception
editReviews
editSchomburg was well received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist,[1] Kirkus Reviews,[2] Publishers Weekly,[3] and Shelf Awareness.[4]
Kirkus Reviews called the book "a fascinating and inspiring biography" that "shines a light on a little-known figure."[2]
Reviewers praised Weatherford's engaging and accessible prose, with Booklist's Karen Cruze noting that Weatherford "brings Schomburg's story to life with vivid language and meticulous research."[1] Publishers Weekly praised Weatherford's ability to "convey the significance of Schomburg's work" and noted that the book is "a testament to the power of libraries and education."[3] Jen Forbes, writing for Shelf Awareness, praised the book's "lyrical language" and noted that it is "a must-read for anyone interested in history, libraries, or the African diaspora." School Library Journal's MaryAnn Karre praised the book's "vivid descriptions".[5]
Booklist also praised the illustrations by Eric Velasquez, noting that they "add a rich visual dimension to the text." They also praised Ron Butler's narration for bringing "energy and enthusiasm" to the story.[6]
Awards and honors
editSchomburg is a Junior Library Guild book.[7]
Kirkus Reviews and Shelf Awareness named Schomburg among the best picture books of 2017,[8][9] and the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature name it one of the best multicultural children's books of the year.[10] The following year, Booklist included it on their "Top 10 Biographies for Youth" and "Top 10 Diverse Nonfiction for Older and Middle Readers" lists.[11][12] The Association for Library Service to Children included it on their list of the year's "Notable Children's Books",[13] and Capitol Choices included it on their list of "Noteworthy Books for Children (7-10)".[14]
| Year | Award | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | AAUW NC Award for Young People’s Literature | Won | [15] |
| Carter G. Woodson Book Award (Middle Level) | Honor | [16] | |
| Golden Kite Award for Non-Fiction for Younger Readers | Won | [17][18] | |
| Jefferson Cup Award | Honor | [19] | |
| Walter Dean Myers Award for Young Readers | Won | [17][20][21] | |
| YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction | Nominated | [22] |
Adaptations
editDreamscape adapted the book into a 52-minute film.[23]
References
edit- ^ a b Cruze, Karen (July 2017). "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". Booklist. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "Schomburg". Kirkus Reviews. May 23, 2017. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford". Publishers Weekly. August 7, 2017. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ Forbus, Jen (September 22, 2017). "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". Shelf Awareness. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ Karre, MaryAnn (April 1, 2018). "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". Booklist. March 1, 2018. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ "Schomburg: Man Who Built a Library". Junior Library Guild. Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
- ^ "Our 2017 Best Children's & Teen Books of the Year". Shelf Awareness. December 19, 2017. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Best of 2017". Kirkus Reviews. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Best Books 2017". Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ Smith, Julia (June 1, 2018). "Top 10 Biographies for Youth: 2018". Booklist. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ Cooper, Ilene (February 1, 2018). "Top 10 Diverse Nonfiction for Older and Middle Readers: 2018". Booklist. Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "ALSC names 2018 Notable Children's Books". American Library Association. April 12, 2018. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
- ^ "Reading Lists". Capitol Choices. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "2018 Young People's Literature Award to Carole Boston Weatherford » AAUW NC". AAUW NC. December 7, 2018. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Carter G. Woodson Book Award Winners and Honorees". National Council for the Social Studies. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ a b "Carole Boston Weatherford, Children's Book Author, Poet, Author ★". African American Literature Book Club. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Awards: National Jewish Book; Golden Kite". Shelf Awareness. January 11, 2018. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
- ^ "2018 Jefferson Cup Award Winners and Honors Announced". Virginia Library Association. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ "Awards: WNDB Walters; 800-CEO-READ Biz Book of the Year". Shelf Awareness. January 19, 2018. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
- ^ SLJ (January 12, 2018). "Reynolds, Weatherford Named Winners of 2018 Walter Dean Myers Award". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
- ^ "2018 Nonfiction Award Nominations". Young Adult Library Services Association. February 20, 2018. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
- ^ Smith, Candace (March 14, 2018). "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". Booklist. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.