I’m utterly thrilled and honored that RED, WHITE, AND WHOLE has won the 2022 Walter Dean Myers Award for Younger Readers! The Walter Awards are given by We Need Diverse Books to works of outstanding children’s literature that celebrate diversity.
When I first wrote this book of my heart, I wasn’t sure whether anyone else would want to read it or care about it. Seeing it recognized in this way is so incredible and humbling. The world needs all kinds of stories!
Huge thanks so my publisher, Quill Tree Books/HarperCollins, and my editor, Alexandra Cooper, for believing in this story. And I couldn’t have written it without my amazing agent, Brent Taylor at TriadaUS, so I owe him thanks for…well, everything. This story was inspired by aspects of my own life and childhood, and is dedicated to my parents, who are my heroes.
Congratulations to all the winners and honorees! The full list here.
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