Newbery Medal (John Newbery Medal)
1 appearances
-
Edition 99 (2020) Nominee
Alicia D. Williams
アリシア・ディー・ウィリアムズ
Alicia D. Williams
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1970-09-26 （Detroit, Michigan, U.S.）
- Nationality
- American
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Detroit, Michigan (origin) → New York City (theatre training/performing) → Charlotte, North Carolina (residence/teaching)
Career
- Occupations
- Author, Teacher (Teaching Artist), Flight attendant, Theatre performer
- Active Years
- 2009-
- Nominations
- William C. Morris Award Finalist (Genesis Begins Again, 2019), Kirkus Prize Finalist (Genesis Begins Again, 2019), National Book Award for Young People's Literature Longlist (Mid-Air, 2024)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Kentucky | — | African American Studies | BA | — | United States |
| American Musical and Dramatic Academy | — | Theatre training | — | — | United States |
| Hamline University | — | Creative writing (graduate) | — | 2012- | United States |
University of Kentucky
African American Studies
Degree:
BA
Year of Graduation:
1994
Country:
United States
Bachelor's degree in African American Studies
American Musical and Dramatic Academy
Theatre training
Country:
United States
Trained in theatre and performance
Hamline University
Creative writing (graduate)
Period:
2012-
Country:
United States
Began graduate study in 2012 and subsequently graduated
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Newbery Honor | Genesis Begins Again | — | American Library Association | Winner (Honor) |
| 2020 | Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe Award for New Talent | Genesis Begins Again | — | American Library Association (Coretta Scott King Award) | Winner |
| 2019 | William C. Morris Award | Genesis Begins Again | — | American Library Association | Finalist |
| 2019 | Kirkus Prize | Genesis Begins Again | — | Kirkus Reviews | Finalist |
| — | Jane Addams Children's Book Award | Shirley Chisholm: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress | — | Jane Addams Peace Association | Winner |
| 2024 | National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Longlist) | Mid-Air | — | National Book Foundation | Longlisted |
Newbery Honor
2020
Work:
Genesis Begins Again
Organization:
American Library Association
Result:
Winner (Honor)
Coretta Scott King–John Steptoe Award for New Talent
2020
Work:
Genesis Begins Again
Organization:
American Library Association (Coretta Scott King Award)
Result:
Winner
William C. Morris Award
2019
Work:
Genesis Begins Again
Organization:
American Library Association
Result:
Finalist
Kirkus Prize
2019
Work:
Genesis Begins Again
Organization:
Kirkus Reviews
Result:
Finalist
Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Work:
Shirley Chisholm: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress
Organization:
Jane Addams Peace Association
Result:
Winner
National Book Award for Young People's Literature (Longlist)
2024
Work:
Mid-Air
Organization:
National Book Foundation
Result:
Longlisted
Awards & Nominations
Coretta Scott King Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 51 (2020) Winner
Jane Addams Children's Book Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 95 (2022) Winner
Works
Major Works
Genesis Begins Again
2019 Middle-grade fiction 384 pagesA middle-grade novel following Genesis, a Black girl confronting colorism and self-identity. The story explores family dynamics, self-acceptance, and friendship as Genesis learns to embrace herself.
ColorismIdentityFamily relationshipsSelf-esteem
Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston
2021 Children's biographyA children's biography of folklorist and writer Zora Neale Hurston, highlighting her resilience and role as a storyteller.
BiographyWomen's resiliencePower of storytelling
Shirley Chisholm: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress
2021 Children's biographyA children's biography presenting the life and achievements of Shirley Chisholm, the first Black woman elected to the U.S. Congress.
Politics and civic engagementWomen's leadershipHistorical education
Mid-Air
2024 Young readers' fiction(Brief summary based on public information) A fiction work aimed at young readers dealing with family, loss, and coming-of-age themes. Published in 2024 and longlisted for the National Book Award.
LossFamilyComing-of-age
Bibliography
- Genesis Begins Again (2019)
- Jump at the Sun: The True Life Tale of Unstoppable Storycatcher Zora Neale Hurston (2021)
- Shirley Chisholm: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress (2021)
- Mid-Air (2024)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- A voice that empathizes with young readersEmotion-focused realistic descriptionDialogue-driven, brisk prose
- Recurring Motifs
- Race and identityFamily and communityGrowth and self-acceptance
Legacy
Alicia D. Williams has been widely recognized for works addressing Black youth experiences and colorism, receiving major children's literature honors such as a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King recognition. Her books are increasingly used in educational settings and libraries, making her an important voice for young readers.
Trivia
- Trained in theatre in New York and performed in plays, sketch comedy, and stand-up.
- Worked as a flight attendant earlier in her career.
- Her debut novel 'Genesis Begins Again' (2019) received a Newbery Honor and Coretta Scott King recognition.
- 'Mid-Air' (2024) was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature.