2022-23 Yellowhammer Book Awards
2022-23 Yellowhammer Book Award Winners
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir is a contemporary story of two young Pakistani immigrants whose friendship supports them through challenges in their small California town. Although Sal and Noor’s families are different, they both learn about love and forgiveness with each other and their complicated parent figures. Despite the title, this book offers readers hope to endure and overcome the past and is a beautifully written testament to the complexity of the human experience.
Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas is a contemporary graphic novel that will inspire swimmers, athletes, and those seeking to face their fears. After starting at a new school, Bree is enrolled in a swim class, much to her dismay. Then, she meets her new neighbor, the elderly Etta, who gives her private lessons to help her tackle her fear. Along the way, Bree learns about the storied swimming history of the town and how important it is to get her school’s team back to its former glory. Bree works endlessly and makes the team, but can she help them win another championship?
2022-23 YellowHammer Book Award Honor Books
African Town by Irene Latham & Charles Waters is an epic novel-in-verse that recounts the stories of Africans brought illegally to Mobile, Alabama on one of the last ships, the Clotilda. It is an enlightening book in so many ways-life as a slave while knowing life in Africa, life after the civil war, American born enslaved people vs African born and so much more. It is a fitting tribute to the spirit of the 110 people that were on the ship to tell their stories and their voices were captured wonderfully! Each poem type is explained at the end of the book that allows us to see why the authors chose that style for that character, which is relevant to the Alabama ELA Course of Study for grades 9-12. Also, the selected timeline is relevant to the Alabama Social Studies Course of Study of world history from 1500 to present as it chronicles the events from 1800 to 1900.
As Long as the Lemon Trees Grow by Zoulfa Katouh is a historical speculative fiction novel that takes place during the Syrian Revolution. This unforgettable story about the traumas of war will take the reader through the spectrum of emotions and leave a lasting impression. It can be easily integrated into 9th-12th grade Social Studies and English Language Arts classes.
I Must Betray You by Ruta Sepetys is a historical thriller that examines the lesser-known history of Romania in 1989. This surprisingly authentic story will make the reader experience the fear of being spied on and the effects of communism. It is well researched and perfect to integrate into 9th-12th grade Social Studies and English Language Arts classes.
2022-23 Top Ten Selections
2022-23 Committee Members: Julia Morrobel, chair; Lisa Arnett, Danielle Butler, Dr. Denise Weems Bryant, Heather Overstreet, Laura Graves Massey, Katie Rainer, Hillary Russell, Allie Schultze, Andrea Smith,
Jennifer Speigner, Alicia Stokes, Summer Upton, Jacquelyn Wilson