Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library

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Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library
Schomburg - The Man Who Built a Library.jpg
First edition cover
Author Carole Boston Weatherford
Publisher Candlewick Press
Publication date
September 12, 2017
Pages48
Awards
ISBN 978-0-7636-8046-6

Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library is a 2017 non-fiction children's book written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Eric Velasquez. It provides a biography of Arturo Alfonso Schomburg, a Puerto Rican-American bibliophile and curator.

Contents

The book was well-received by critics. In 2018, it won a Walter Dean Myers Award and Golden Kite Award, among other honors.

Reception

Reviews

Schomburg was well received by critics, including starred reviews from Booklist , [1] Kirkus Reviews, [2] Publishers Weekly , [3] and Shelf Awareness . [4]

Kirkus Reviews called the book "a fascinating and inspiring biography" that "shines a light on a little-known figure." [2]

Reviewers praised Weatherford's engaging and accessible prose, with Booklist's Karen Cruze noting that Weatherford "brings Schomburg's story to life with vivid language and meticulous research." [1] Publishers Weekly praised Weatherford's ability to "convey the significance of Schomburg's work" and noted that the book is "a testament to the power of libraries and education." [3] Jen Forbes, writing for Shelf Awareness, praised the book's "lyrical language" and noted that it is "a must-read for anyone interested in history, libraries, or the African diaspora." School Library Journal 's MaryAnn Karre praised the book's "vivid descriptions". [5]

Booklist also praised the illustrations by Eric Velasquez, noting that they "add a rich visual dimension to the text." They also praised Ron Butler's narration for bringing "energy and enthusiasm" to the story. [6]

Awards and honors

Schomburg is a Junior Library Guild book. [7]

Kirkus Reviews and Shelf Awareness named Schomburg among the best picture books of 2017, [8] [9] and the Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature name it one of the best multicultural children's books of the year. [10] The following year, Booklist included it on their "Top 10 Biographies for Youth" and "Top 10 Diverse Nonfiction for Older and Middle Readers" lists. [11] [12] The Association for Library Service to Children included it on their list of the year's "Notable Children's Books", [13] and Capitol Choices included it on their list of "Noteworthy Books for Children (7-10)". [14]

Awards for Schomburg
YearAwardResultRef.
2018AAUW NC Award for Young People’s LiteratureWon [15]
Carter G. Woodson Book Award (Middle Level)Honor [16]
Golden Kite Award for Non-Fiction for Younger ReadersWon [17] [18]
Jefferson Cup AwardHonor [19]
Walter Dean Myers Award for Young ReadersWon [17] [20] [21]
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction Nominated [22]

Adaptations

Dreamscape adapted the book into a 52-minute film. [23]

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References

  1. 1 2 Cruze, Karen (July 2017). "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". Booklist . Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  2. 1 2 "Schomburg". Kirkus Reviews . May 23, 2017. Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library by Carole Boston Weatherford". Publishers Weekly . August 7, 2017. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  4. Forbus, Jen (September 22, 2017). "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". Shelf Awareness . Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  5. Karre, MaryAnn (April 1, 2018). "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". School Library Journal . Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  6. "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". Booklist . March 1, 2018. Archived from the original on August 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  7. "Schomburg: Man Who Built a Library". Junior Library Guild . Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  8. "Our 2017 Best Children's & Teen Books of the Year". Shelf Awareness . December 19, 2017. Archived from the original on December 4, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  9. "Best of 2017". Kirkus Reviews . Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  10. "Best Books 2017". Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature. Archived from the original on March 6, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  11. Smith, Julia (June 1, 2018). "Top 10 Biographies for Youth: 2018". Booklist . Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  12. Cooper, Ilene (February 1, 2018). "Top 10 Diverse Nonfiction for Older and Middle Readers: 2018". Booklist . Archived from the original on August 27, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  13. "ALSC names 2018 Notable Children's Books". American Library Association . April 12, 2018. Archived from the original on January 9, 2022. Retrieved June 4, 2024.
  14. "Reading Lists". Capitol Choices. September 2, 2017. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  15. "2018 Young People's Literature Award to Carole Boston Weatherford » AAUW NC". AAUW NC. December 7, 2018. Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  16. "Carter G. Woodson Book Award Winners and Honorees". National Council for the Social Studies . Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  17. 1 2 "Carole Boston Weatherford, Children's Book Author, Poet, Author ★". African American Literature Book Club . Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  18. "Awards: National Jewish Book; Golden Kite". Shelf Awareness . January 11, 2018. Archived from the original on October 13, 2022. Retrieved February 23, 2023.
  19. "2018 Jefferson Cup Award Winners and Honors Announced". Virginia Library Association . Archived from the original on June 2, 2024. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  20. "Awards: WNDB Walters; 800-CEO-READ Biz Book of the Year". Shelf Awareness . January 19, 2018. Archived from the original on January 30, 2023. Retrieved June 2, 2024.
  21. SLJ (January 12, 2018). "Reynolds, Weatherford Named Winners of 2018 Walter Dean Myers Award". School Library Journal. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  22. "2018 Nonfiction Award Nominations". Young Adult Library Services Association . February 20, 2018. Archived from the original on January 28, 2020. Retrieved January 28, 2020.
  23. Smith, Candace (March 14, 2018). "Schomburg: The Man Who Built a Library". Booklist . Archived from the original on June 4, 2024. Retrieved June 4, 2024.