Filipino-American writer wins top award for children’s novel
Filipino-American children’s book writer Erin Entrada Kelly bagged the John Newbery Medal for her middle-grade novel Hello, Universe at the American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards held February 12 at the Colorado Convention Center.
The John Newbery Medal is considered as one of the most prestigious recognitions in children’s literature. Kelly’s novel Hello, Universe, which was released in March 2017, was recognized for its “most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.”
The ALA Youth Media Awards is held every year to honor top books, videos, and audiobooks that are valuable for children and teens. It also serves as a guide for parents and educators in choosing the best materials for the youth.
Ever since its publication, Kelly’s novel has earned positive reviews from various book review magazines and journals, including Washington Post which hailed the novel as one of the Best Books of the Year.
Hello, Universe is a story of four middle-school pupils, a Filipino-American boy, a Japanese-American girl, a deaf girl, and a bully, who form an unlikely yet life-changing friendship on a fateful summer day.
Kelly, who is currently based in Philadelphia, also authored other award-winning books like Blackbird Fly (2015) and The Land For Forgotten Girls (2016).
Sources: American Library Association website, Inquirer.net, Erin Entrada Kelly website, Erin Entrada Kelly Facebook page
