11.18.22
Charlotte Huck Award: Recognizing fiction that has the potential to transform children’s lives.
Forever Cousins was named one of the NTCE Charlotte Huck Honor Books at the NTCE Conference in Anaheim, California November 2022. It was an honor and a surprise to be selected. The award confirms my passion and desire for all children to see their lived experiences in books and tell all American history in my author’s note.
The NCTE Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children was established in 2014 to promote and recognize excellence in the writing of fiction for children. This award recognizes fiction that has the potential to transform children’s lives by inviting compassion, imagination, and wonder.
Forever Cousins by Laurel Goodluck; illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Charlesbridge). Native American best friends and cousins reconnect and reaffirm their bond after one moves from the city back to the Rez.
4.1.22
I have some super exciting news! Forever Cousins has been named a Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection. What does this mean for all you non-librarians asking (including me)? Let me explain.
The Guild editors receive thousands of books from publishers each year. The editors then select a few hundred books they feel are most appealing, readable, award-worthy, and diverse books. The JLG has offered librarians a subscription to receive regular collections of books each year since the 1920s.
What does this mean for Forever Cousins? First, it’s an honor to be selected and realize that editors have read my story and feel it worthy of a “best of list.” Next, the Guild will pre-order my books, and my book will be in the hands of library readers across the country. Last, my debut book will receive attention with a shiny gold printed JLG on the back cover. As a writer, this can mean more readers.
The JLG also states that nearly 95% of JLG Gold Standard Selections go on to earn starred or favorable reviews and industry honors and awards. Read more about it here: https://www.juniorlibraryguild.com/how-jlg-works