In August the Georgia Center for the Book released its inaugural “25 Books All Young Georgians Should Read” list. In keeping with Decatur treating authors like rock stars, it was fitting that the release of the list included a community party with many of the authors and illustrators on hand.
Who compiled the list? Writers, educators, librarians, and media representatives on the Center’s advisory council. The list represents a first-time compilation of some of the best children’s literature by Georgia writers and artists. Many of the authors and illustrators on the list will participate in free public readings throughout Georgia libraries and schools over the next two years.
The list includes seven picture books for pre-schoolers; one for youngsters between kindergarten and 3rd grade; one graphic novel for grades 4 and up; 10 books for middle readers in grades 4-8; and six books for young adults grades 7 and up.
The authors on the list have won dozens of significant state and national honors and many of them appeared at the recent AJC Decatur Book Festival. Several of them are personal favorites of mine including Carmen Deedy (14 Cows for America), Eric Litwin & James Dean (Pete the Cat: I Love My White Shoes), and Terra McVoy (Pure). I can’t wait to grab my grandson(s) and read some of the others with intriguing titles like The Monster Who Did My Math (Danny Schnitzlein & Bill Mayer).
Georgia Center for the Book Executive Director Bill Starr envisions more lists in future years and plans are to release new lists at least every three years, like they do with their adult lists. The Georgia Center for the Book is Georgia’s chartered representative of the Center for the Book at the Library of Congress in Washington, D.C. and is hosted by the DeKalb County Public Library right here in downtown Decatur.
Pictured are the author/illustrator rock stars!
