As the year comes to a close, we would like to reflect on the work we’ve done, as well as all of the incredible diverse books and voices we’ve featured over the past 12 months. On each day of this final week, we’ll be highlighting features, Q&As, programming, and more!
We opened 2021 with multiple exciting developments, including the announcement of our 2021 Mentees, Walter Award winners and honorees, and Walter Grant winners; the launch of a new Native-focused imprint; and the launch of a series of initiatives focused on professional development for Black creatives. Read on:
January & February
Picture Books/Early Reader
- Eyes That Kiss in the Corners by Joanna Ho, illustrated by Dung Ho – On Beauty, White Supremacy, and Revolution
- Legacy: Women Poets of the Harlem Renaissance by Nikki Grimes – Meet Ida Rowland, Harlem Renaissance Poet and Children’s Book Publisher
- Watch Me: A Story of Immigration and Inspiration by Doyin Richards, illustrated by Joe Cepeda – Q&A With Doyin
- I Dream of Popo by Livia Blackburne, illustrated by Julia Kuo – I Hope I Dream of Popo Helps Reconnect People & Illustrator Julia Kuo Draws for Us!
- Standing on Her Shoulders by Monica Clark-Robinson, illustrated by Laura Freeman – What It’s Like to Illustrate a Biography for Kids
- Porcupine Cupid by Jason June, illustrated by Lori Richmond – What Is Love, and How a Porcupine Is the Way to Show It
- Vy’s Special Gift by Ha-Giang Trinh, illustrated by Evi Shelvia – How We Can Face the Pandemic Together
Middle Grade
- Root Magic by Eden Royce – We Need to Honor African Traditional Religions on the Page
- Barakah Beats by Maleeha Siddiqui – Cover Reveal | Q&A With Maleeha
- The Comeback by E. L. Shen – How to Make a Comeback (in Middle School and in Life)
- Yusuf Azeem is Not a Hero by Saadia Faruqi – Cover Reveal | Q&A With Saadia
- The Year I Flew Away by Marie Arnold – Marie Arnold Writes So Immigrant Readers Feel Seen
- How to Win a Slime War by Mae Respicio – Cover Reveal | How To Win A Slime War Is the Book Mae Respicio Has Wanted Since Childhood
- The Insiders by Mark Oshiro – Cover Reveal | Q&A With Mark
Young Adult
- One of the Good Ones by Maika Moulite and Maritza Moulite – Q&A with Maika and Maritza
- Roman and Jewel by Dana L. Davis – I Wrote a Dark-Skinned Black Girl Like Me Into a Musical Theater Story
- Looking for Grace by Pamela Varnado – Cover Reveal
- Concrete Rose by Angie Thomas – Angie Thomas on Concrete Rose, Writing Advice, and Her Next Project
- Your Corner Dark by Desmond Hall – The Night Before
- Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo – Q&A With Malinda
- Wings of Ebony by J. Elle – Why J. Elle’s Wings of Ebony Is So Powerful in 2021
- Muted by Tami Charles – Q&A With Tami
- A Taste for Love by Jennifer Yen – Jennifer Yen’s YA Novel Is Pride & Prejudice Meets the Great British Baking Show With an All-Asian Main Cast
- The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna – Namina Forna’s The Gilded Ones Is a Feminist Magic Epic
- A Phở Love Story by Loan Le – A Phở Love Story by Loan Le Is Rivals-to-Lovers With Competing Phở Restaurants
- Like Home by Louisa Onomé – What Naruto Taught Me About History, Community, and a Toronto Suburb
- The Heartbreak Bakery by A. R. Capetta – Cover Reveal | Q&A With A.R.
Articles & Educational Resources
- Why Every State Should Require LGBTQ+ History Be Taught in Public K-12 Schools by Sarah Prager
- Writing Advice from WNDB Anthology Contributors
- Confidence and Caring: Creative Writing Awards Alumnx Share Their Tips
- Black-Owned Independent Bookstores Face Unique Challenges by J. Nailah Avery
- Multicultural Idioms Are a Golden Opportunity for Language Learners by Anneke Forzani
- Three Keys to Writing a Novel From a Boston Public Library Writer-in-Residence by Autumn Allen
- Black History Is Made Year-Round by JoAnn Yao
WNDB Programming
We Need Diverse Books Announces New Board Members – “We Need Diverse Books is pleased to announce the appointment of four new board members: Zoraida Córdova, Minh Lê, Cornelius Minor, and Kaitlyn Sage Patterson.”
Sixteen Creative, Rising Voices Named 2021 We Need Diverse Books Mentees – “The sixteen creators selected to receive a year-long mentorship include: Leo Quiles, TeMika Grooms, and Katherine Ahmed (Illustration); Paola Santos, Tonya Abari, Thushanthi Ponweera, and Taunya English (Picture Book Text); Sope Martins, Brionni Nwosu, Anushi Mehta, and Malia Maunakea (Middle Grade Fiction); and Ayida Shonibar, Naeemah Philippeaux, Clara Kumagi, N. Lidia Garcia, and Manuia Heinrich (Young Adult Fiction).”
2021 Symposium on Diversity in Children’s Literature and the Walter Dean Myers Awards and Honor Books for Outstanding Children’s Literature – 2021 Walter Award, Teen Category: Punching the Air by Ibi Zoboi and Yusef Salaam, illustrated by Omar T. Pasha; 2021 Walter Honors, Teen Category: We Are Not Free by Traci Chee, Almost American Girl by Robin Ha; 2021 Walter Award, Younger Readers Category: When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, with color by Iman Geddy; 2021 Walter Honors, Younger Readers Category: King and the Dragonflies by Kacen Callender, Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Nayeri
Congratulations to the 2020 Walter Grant Winners – “The following 8 unpublished writers, 1 graphic novelist, and 1 illustrator have been selected for the grants: Kat Boyd, Victoria E. Chen, Pamela Courtney, Angela Dahle, Desiree Evans, Tiffany Ezuma, Adam Karlin, Libbie Temple, Arriel Vinson, Brian Wasson.”
Official Launch of Native-Focused Imprint Heartdrum in Partnership With HarperCollins – “[Heartdrum’s] focus is on Indigenous stories that reflect Native people whose Nations are located within the borders of what’s now called the United States and Canada.” | Watch a replay of the virtual launch event with Cynthia Leitich Smith, Christine Day, Dawn Quigley, and Brian Young, moderated by Ellen Oh.
We Need Diverse Books and Penguin Random House Announce the Black Creatives Fund – “The Black Creatives Fund will feature three initiatives in 2021, including a Revisions Workshop, a mentorship program, and a marketing symposia in partnership with the Brown Bookshelf. “
