Tuesday, January 17, 2017

The 2017 SCBWI Spark Award Winners are...

The SCBWI Spark Award recognizes excellence in a children’s book published through a non-traditional publishing route.

 The 2017 illustrated book winner is Soldier by Kara Van Kirk Levin.



Soldier tells the story of a lonely young porcupine who feels isolated from his community, and the friends that band together to help him feel valued. The rich illustrations were created by Vlada Soshkina and Polina Doroshenko. Drawing on themes of compassion and inclusivity, Soldier is Levin’s debut book. Find out more about Kara’s independent publishing company Little Wooden Flute at www.littlewoodenflute.com.

The 2017 book for older readers winner is Through the Barricades by Denise Deegan.



Deegan’s romantic young adult novel brings to life turn-of-the-century Dublin, as two teenagers, Maggie and Daniel, confront issues of class and privilege during the 1913 workers strike. Deegan has also published contemporary YA with Hachette and adult family drama novels under the pen name Aimee Alexander. You can find more of her writing at www.denisedeegan.wordpress.com.

Congratulations to both Kara and Denise! Both winners will be invited to take part in a book signing at an SCBWI conference this year. They will also receive free conference attendance, a Spark seal for their books, a press release and publicity through the SCBWI media networks.

You can find out more about the Spark Award here.

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee

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