The Shadowers’ Choice Awards: Dean Atta and Kadir Nelson win reader’s vote
Hundreds of children and young people have made their choice in this year’s CILIP Carnegie and Kate Greenaway (CKG) Shadowers’ Choice Awards. The Shadowers’ Choice gives young readers the chance to name their favourite books from the CKG shortlists. They follow the same judging criteria as the main awards.
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EAN Atta’s The Black Flamingo and The Undefeated illustrated by Kadir Nelson are this year’s Shadowers’
Choice Award winners in the Carnegie and Kate Greenaway category. Schools from across the UK and internationally took part in the popular CKG Shadowing scheme, with children and young people reading books from the 2020 shortlist – before picking their favourites. More than a thousand shadowing groups took part in the scheme.
This year’s Shadowing scheme was disrupted by Covid-19 restrictions and school closures, but CILIP was determined to extend shadowing to give shadowers more time to take part and vote. Shadowing, which normally takes place during the summer term, was extended into the new school year, with voting taking place throughout September. The two winners were announced during CILIP’s Libraries Week celebrations in early October.
Chair of judges for the Shadowers’ Choice Awards Julia Hale said: “The Shadowers’ Choice Awards gives young readers, the most important people in the CKG awards process, their say on the shortlisted titles. In winning this unique award, The Black Flamingo and The Undefeated exemplify the power of representation in words and pictures for children to see and find themselves and understand
each other better. Both books give differing perspectives on the black experience in their own voices. Dean Atta’s intimate, dazzling jewel of a verse novel is a uniquely British exploration of coming of age in London with Greek Cypriot and Jamaican heritage, whilst Kadir Nelson’s stunning portraits of African American icons are simultaneously haunting and inspirational. Both books are celebrations of pride, beauty and the search and fight for freedom on both an individual and wider level. I am so delighted for Dean and Kadir and wish them many congratulations on their achievement as well as a huge thank you to the shadowing groups for engaging so brilliantly throughout with the awards this year.”
The Black Flamingo
by Dean Atta, illustrated by Anshika Khullar (Hodder Children’s Books) The Black Flamingo is a debut verse novel written by Dean Atta and illustrated by Anshika Khullar. A powerful and poignant coming of age novel that charts the life of Michael, who is mixed-race and gay, as he comes to terms with who he is and how others perceive him. Shadowers were inspired both by the energetic and engaging story told in verse and the impactful illustrations. This is the story of Michael who is coming to terms with his identity as a mixed-race gay teenager. When he goes to university, he finds his voice as a drag artist. Written in verse, this is a powerful coming-of-age story
Dean Atta.
exploring themes of identity, race and sexuality. The Black Flamingo is a veritable feast of beautifully drawn, believable characters and their intersectionality, all embarking on their own voyage of self-discovery. The verse style offers an economical and energetic journey through the various themes of identity, diversity, belonging and the freedom to be yourself. Strong use is made of page turns and word art, making this an unforgettable reading experience. Michael’s honest and uplifting journey reaches a beautiful resolution. Powerful imagery balances the multi-faceted story, resulting in a poetic masterpiece.
Winning author Dean said: “I’m so delighted the Shadowers have chosen The Black Flamingo for this award! I was really thrilled with the reviews and responses I saw from Shadowers on the awards website. I greatly
Autumn-Winter 2020
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