Newbery Medal (John Newbery Medal)
1 appearances
-
Edition 10 (1931) Nominee
Alida Sims Malkus
アリダ・シムズ・マルカス
Arida Shimuzu Marukasu
Aliases:
Lyda Sims Malkus
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1888-09-19 （Bay City, Michigan, US）
- Died
- 1976-09-27 （Concord, Massachusetts, US） age 88
- Nationality
- American
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Bay City, Michigan, US → San Francisco, California, US → New Mexico (Southwest), US → Concord, Massachusetts, US
Career
- Occupations
- Children's writer, Author
- Active Years
- 1930-1970
- Influenced By
- Southwest Native American cultures, Mayan and other pre-Columbian civilizations
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1931 | Newbery Honor | The Dark Star of Itza: The Story of a Pagan Princess | — | American Library Association | Newbery Honor (runner-up) |
Newbery Honor
1931
Work:
The Dark Star of Itza: The Story of a Pagan Princess
Organization:
American Library Association
Result:
Newbery Honor (runner-up)
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
The Dark Star of Itza: The Story of a Pagan Princess
1930 Children's literature / Historical fictionA story set among the Maya about a young princess, blending historical detail with legendary elements. It was a runner-up for the 1931 Newbery Honor.
Pre-Columbian civilizationsLeadership and fateCulture and folklore
The Spindle Imp and Other Tales of Maya Myth and Folk Lore
1931 Children's literature / FolktalesA collection of Maya myths and folk tales presented for children, accompanied by illustrations.
MythologyFolkloreCultural transmission
Eastward Sweeps the Current: A Saga of the Polynesian Seafarers
1937 Children's literature / Historical sagaA narrative about Polynesian navigation and migration, following seafaring traditions and cultural origins.
SeafaringExplorationCultural exchange
The Silver Llama
1939 Children's literature / Historical fictionA story set in the Andes focusing on young protagonists and regional animals and culture.
Andean cultureNature and animalsComing-of-age
The Citadel of a Hundred Stairways
1941 Children's literature / AdventureAn adventure tale set among ancient ruins and lost cities, centered on exploration and discovery.
AdventureRuins explorationHistorical mystery
Constancia Lona
1947 Children's literatureA tale of personal growth and community; specific details are limited.
GrowthCommunity
The Story of Louis Pasteur
1952 Children's biographyA children's biography recounting the life of scientist Louis Pasteur.
History of scienceBiography
The Story of Good Queen Bess
1953 Children's biography / HistoryA children's account of the life of Elizabeth I (Good Queen Bess).
Royal historyFemale leadership
We Were There at the Battle of Gettysburg
1955 Children's historyA children's account of the Battle of Gettysburg during the American Civil War.
Military historyAmerican history
The Story of Jacqueline Kennedy
1967 Children's biographyA children's biography presenting the life and public role of Jacqueline Kennedy.
Modern historyBiography
The Amazon: River of Promise
1970 Children's natural history / GeographyA children's geography/natural history book introducing the Amazon River and its region.
GeographyEcosystemsCulture
Bibliography
- The Dark Star of Itza: The Story of a Pagan Princess (1930)
- The Spindle Imp and Other Tales of Maya Myth and Folk Lore (1931)
- Eastward Sweeps the Current: A Saga of the Polynesian Seafarers (1937)
- The Silver Llama (1939)
- The Citadel of a Hundred Stairways (1941)
- Constancia Lona (1947)
- The Story of Louis Pasteur (1952)
- The Story of Good Queen Bess (1953)
- We Were There at the Battle of Gettysburg (1955)
- The Story of Winston Churchill (1957)
- Young Inca Prince (1957)
- The Sea and Its Rivers (1957)
- Through the Wall (1962)
- There Really Was a Hiawatha (1963)
- Animals of the High Andes (1966)
- The Story of Jacqueline Kennedy (1967)
- The Amazon: River of Promise (1970)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Child-focused prose grounded in historical factExpository, accessible styleInterweaving of legendary and mythic elements
- Recurring Motifs
- Pre-Columbian civilizations and ruinsExploration by sea and riverIndigenous life and oral traditions
Legacy
Alida Sims Malkus was known for children's historical fiction and nonfiction, particularly works about the Maya and Southwest Native American cultures. She earned recognition including a 1931 Newbery Honor runner-up placement, and contributed notably to mid-20th-century children's literature.
Archives
- Library of Congress (bibliographic records)
Trivia
- Born Lyda Sims Malkus.
- Her interest in the Southwest and Mayan ruins strongly influenced her work.
- Some of her works are available via Project Gutenberg.