World Literary Awards

← Back to Home

Renée Watson

レネー・ワトソン

Renee Watson

Profile

Gender
Female
Born
1978-07-29 （Paterson, New Jersey, U.S.）
Nationality
United States
Languages
English
Religion
Baptist
Residence History
Paterson, New Jersey (birthplace) → Portland, Oregon (grew up) → New York City (moved in 2005)

Career

Occupations
Writer, Teaching artist, Poet
Active Years
2010-
Affiliations
DreamYard (teaching/board involvement)
Memberships
The Wintergreen Women Writers Collective, DreamYard (Board member)
Influenced By
Maya Angelou, Langston Hughes, Sandra Cisneros

Education

The New School
Creative Writing / Art Therapy
Country: United States
Published her first picture book while studying

Awards

Coretta Scott King Author Award
2018
Work: Piecing Me Together
Organization: American Library Association / Coretta Scott King Book Awards
Result: Winner
Josette Frank Award
2018
Work: Piecing Me Together
Organization: Bank Street Children's Book Committee
Result: Winner
Newbery Honor
2018
Work: Piecing Me Together
Organization: American Library Association
Result: Honor
Los Angeles Times Book Prize (Young Adult Novel)
2017
Work: Piecing Me Together
Category: Young Adult Novel
Organization: Los Angeles Times
Result: Finalist
Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award
2020
Work: Piecing Me Together
Organization: Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award (Illinois)
Result: Finalist
Barnes & Noble Book of the Year (finalist)
2021
Work: The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
Organization: Barnes & Noble
Result: Finalist

Awards & Nominations

Works

Major Works

Piecing Me Together

2017 Young adult novel

Follows Jade, a young African-American teenager at a predominantly white high school, as she navigates prejudice, identity, and personal growth.

IdentityRace and classFriendship and coming-of-age

The 1619 Project: Born on the Water

2021 Picture book / Children's literature

A picture-book adaptation of The 1619 Project that introduces American history and the experiences of Black Americans to young readers; co-written with Nikole Hannah-Jones.

Historical educationRoots and memoryRace and society

Ways to Make Sunshine

2020 Middle grade novel / Children's

The first in the Ryan Hart series, following a young boy as he faces everyday challenges with optimism and resilience.

FamilyResilienceCommunity

skin & bones

2024 Adult novel

Renée Watson's debut novel for adults exploring family, past trauma, and personal reconstruction.

FamilyPast and renewalPersonal reconstruction

Bibliography

  • A Place Where Hurricanes Happen
  • What Momma Left Me
  • Harlem's Little Blackbird: The Story of Florence Mills
  • This Side of Home
  • Piecing Me Together
  • Betty Before X
  • Watch Us Rise
  • Ways to Make Sunshine (Ryan Hart series)
  • The 1619 Project: Born on the Water
  • Maya's Song
  • skin & bones

Style & Themes

Literary Style
Lyrical yet accessible prose targeted to young readersRealistic depiction with emphasis on dialogue and introspection
Recurring Motifs
Community and belongingBlack female / Black community experiencesSelf-expression and healing

Legacy

Watson is recognized for bringing marginalized perspectives to children's and young adult literature and for her community-focused educational work, including founding the I, Too, Arts Collective.

Archives

  • I, Too, Arts Collective digital archives

Trivia

  • Founded the I, Too, Arts Collective in Langston Hughes's former brownstone to provide arts programming to the Harlem community (space opened in 2017; physical lease ended in 2019 but digital archives remain).
  • Performed a one-woman show 'Roses are Red Women are Blue' at Lincoln Center.
  • Has cited poets such as Maya Angelou and Langston Hughes among formative influences since childhood.