Los Angeles Times Book Prize
1 appearances
-
Edition 41 (2020) Winner
Ibi Zoboi
イビ・アーヌ・ゾボイ
Ibi Zoboi
Pen Names:
Ibi Aanu Zoboi（Took her husband's surname at marriage and adopted the first name Ibi (a Yoruba word meaning 'rebirth')）
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- Port-au-Prince, Haiti
- Nationality
- Haiti, United States
- Languages
- English
- Residence History
- Port-au-Prince (childhood) → Bushwick, Brooklyn (grew up)
Career
- Occupations
- author, novelist, editor, investigative reporter
- Active Years
- 2005-
- Influenced By
- Octavia E. Butler
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont College of Fine Arts | — | MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults | MFA | — | United States |
| Clarion West Writers Workshop | — | Workshop (creative writing) | — | — | United States |
Vermont College of Fine Arts
MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults
Degree:
MFA
Country:
United States
Earned an MFA focused on writing for children and young adults
Clarion West Writers Workshop
Workshop (creative writing)
Country:
United States
Completed the intensive writers' workshop
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | National Book Award for Young People's Literature (finalist) | American Street | — | National Book Foundation | finalist |
| 2018 | Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature | — | — | Library of Congress | winner |
| 2018 | Bank Street Children's Book Committee Best Books (Outstanding Merit) | American Street | — | Bank Street College of Education | outstanding merit |
| 2020 | Bank Street Children's Book Committee Best Books (Outstanding Merit) | Black Enough (editor) | — | Bank Street College of Education | outstanding merit |
| 2022 | Bank Street Children's Book Committee Best Books (Outstanding Merit) | The People Remember | — | Bank Street College of Education | outstanding merit |
| 2011 | Gulliver Travel Grant | — | — | Speculative Literature Foundation | winner |
| 2024 | Coretta Scott King Author Award | Nigeria Jones | — | American Library Association (Coretta Scott King Book Awards) | winner |
National Book Award for Young People's Literature (finalist)
2017
Work:
American Street
Organization:
National Book Foundation
Result:
finalist
Americas Award for Children's and Young Adult Literature
2018
Organization:
Library of Congress
Result:
winner
Bank Street Children's Book Committee Best Books (Outstanding Merit)
2018
Work:
American Street
Organization:
Bank Street College of Education
Result:
outstanding merit
Bank Street Children's Book Committee Best Books (Outstanding Merit)
2020
Work:
Black Enough (editor)
Organization:
Bank Street College of Education
Result:
outstanding merit
Bank Street Children's Book Committee Best Books (Outstanding Merit)
2022
Work:
The People Remember
Organization:
Bank Street College of Education
Result:
outstanding merit
Gulliver Travel Grant
2011
Organization:
Speculative Literature Foundation
Result:
winner
Coretta Scott King Author Award
2024
Work:
Nigeria Jones
Organization:
American Library Association (Coretta Scott King Book Awards)
Result:
winner
Awards & Nominations
Coretta Scott King Award
1 appearances
-
Edition 55 (2024) Winner
Works
Major Works
American Street
2017 Young adult fiction (magical realism, immigration)A Haitian teen's story after immigrating to the U.S. when her mother is detained; explores immigration, magical realism, and Vodou culture inspired by the author's own experiences.
immigrationidentitymagical realismVodou
Pride
2018 Young adult fiction (retelling)A contemporary retelling of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice set in Bushwick, Brooklyn, reinterpreting themes of class, pride, and prejudice within a modern Black community.
retellingcommunityrelationships
Punching the Air
2020 Young adult fiction/verse novelA verse novel using poetry to explore youth anger, injustice, and personal resilience; includes collaborative authorship elements.
injusticecoming of agepoetry
Nigeria Jones
2023 Young adult fictionA 2023 young adult novel centered on the protagonist Nigeria Jones, exploring self-discovery, adventure, and community bonds.
adventureidentitycommunity
My Life as an Ice-Cream Sandwich
2019 Middle grade fictionMiddle-grade novel about Ebony-Grace, sent to Harlem in the 1980s to help her grandfather; explores family, friendship, and identity, with references to science-fiction fandom.
coming of agefamilycultural belonging
The People Remember
2021 Picture bookA picture book illustrated by Loveis Wise that addresses memory, community, and the passing down of history.
memorycommunityhistory
Bibliography
- American Street (2017)
- Pride (2018)
- Punching the Air (2020)
- My Life as an Ice-Cream Sandwich (2019)
- The People Remember (2021)
- Nigeria Jones (2023)
- Numerous short stories and essays (e.g., The Farming of Gods, Old Flesh Song, The Harem)
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Contemporary style incorporating elements of magical realismSometimes uses poetic and fragmentary expressionDirect, emotionally resonant narration suited for young adult audiences
- Recurring Motifs
- immigration and borderssearch for identitycommunity and familyAfrofuturism and Vodou elements
Legacy
Ibi Zoboi, a Haitian-American writer, has brought immigrant experiences, Black identity, and community-centered narratives to young adult and children's literature, presenting a strongly contemporary multicultural perspective. Her award-winning works are widely recognized in educational settings and libraries.
Trivia
- Born Pascale Philantrope; later changed her name to Ibi Aanu Zoboi.
- American Street was inspired by her immigrant experience and upbringing in Brooklyn.
- Founded and ran the Daughters of Anacaona Writing Project for girls in Port-au-Prince.
- Previously worked as an investigative reporter and in a bookstore.
- Spouse: Joseph Zoboi; reported to have three children.
- Official website: http://ibizoboi.net/