Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
1 appearances
-
Edition 23 (2023) Nominee
Mara Rockliff
マラ・ロックリフ
Mara Rokkuri fu
Pen Names:
Lewis B. Montgomery（Milo and Jazz Mysteries chapter book series）,
Eleanor May（Mouse Math series and other educational books）,
Nan Walker（Math Matters, Science Solves It!, Social Studies Connects educational series）
Profile
- Gender
- Female
- Born
- 1969
- Nationality
- United States
- Languages
- English, Esperanto
- Religion
- Judaism
- Residence History
- New York City → Pennsylvania
Career
- Occupations
- Children's book author, Editor, Freelance writer
- Active Years
- 2004-2023
- Nominations
- Charlotte Zolotow Award nomination (Me and Momma and Big John), Agatha Award nomination (The Case of the Poisoned Pig)
Education
| Institution | Faculty | Department | Degree | Period | Country |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brown University | — | American history and literature | — | — | United States |
Brown University
American history and literature
Country:
United States
Awards
| Year | Award | Work | Category | Organization | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Golden Kite Award | Me and Momma and Big John | — | Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators | Winner |
| 2023 | Sibert Honor | Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott | — | American Library Association | Honor |
| 2016 | Orbis Pictus Honor | Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France | — | National Council of Teachers of English | Honor |
| 2013 | Ezra Jack Keats Book Award Honor | My Heart Will Not Sit Down | — | Ezra Jack Keats Foundation | Honor |
Golden Kite Award
2013
Work:
Me and Momma and Big John
Organization:
Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators
Result:
Winner
Sibert Honor
2023
Work:
Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
Organization:
American Library Association
Result:
Honor
Orbis Pictus Honor
2016
Work:
Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France
Organization:
National Council of Teachers of English
Result:
Honor
Ezra Jack Keats Book Award Honor
2013
Work:
My Heart Will Not Sit Down
Organization:
Ezra Jack Keats Foundation
Result:
Honor
Awards & Nominations
Works
Major Works
Mesmerized: How Ben Franklin Solved a Mystery that Baffled All of France
2017 Children's historical nonfiction picture bookHow Benjamin Franklin used the scientific method to debunk Franz Mesmer's mysterious powers in France.
Scientific methodHistorical figuresDebunking pseudoscience
Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott
2022 Children's biography picture bookStory of civil rights activist Georgia Gilmore who funded the Montgomery Bus Boycott by selling food.
Civil rightsResistance through foodWomen's contributions
Me and Momma and Big John
2012 Children's picture bookStory of an African American woman stonecutter who helped build the Cathedral of St. John the Divine.
Labor prideFamilyHistorical architecture
Gingerbread for Liberty: How a German Baker Helped Win the American Revolution
2015 Children's historical picture bookGerman baker Christopher Ludwick who baked bread for George Washington's army during the Revolution.
American RevolutionFood supportImmigrant contributions
Doctor Esperanto and the Language of Hope
2019 Children's biography picture bookLife of L. L. Zamenhof, inventor of Esperanto.
LanguageHopeInternationalism
Style & Themes
- Literary Style
- Engaging narrative based on true storiesHumor and facts for childrenThorough primary source research
- Recurring Motifs
- Overlooked historical figuresWomen's achievementsFood and bakingScience and math applications
Legacy
Renowned for children's historical picture books based on true stories of overlooked figures, recipient of Sibert Honor, Golden Kite Award, and many others.
Quotes
-
That grabbed me right away since it combined fun stuff for kids—sneaky secret agent, gingerbread—with fun historical stuff for parents and teachers.
Source: Interview about Gingerbread for Liberty (2014)
Trivia
- Learned Esperanto in 2014 and uses it daily to talk with people worldwide.
- Enjoys baking and often incorporates baked goods or recipes in her books, testing them herself.
- Self-described 'research geek' who uses interviews, newspapers, oral histories, and primary sources.