The South Asia Book Awards for 2017 have just been announced. What a great way to add recommended diverse books to your collection! The award is sponsored by SANOC (South Asia National Outreach Consortium) and the committee is made up of librarians, teachers and subject experts.
The awards committee examines and discusses books for youth published in English that focus on the culture, people or heritage of South Asia. The committee looks at the text and illustrations for accurate portrayals of South Asia, the experience of individuals living in South Asia or South Asians living in other poarts of the world. The countries and islands making up South Asia are: Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Maldives, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and the region of Tibet. The books are judged on literary quality, cultural authenticity and potential for classroom use.
Maya by Mahak Jain; illustrated by Elly MacKay (Owlkids Press, 2016). The loss of her father and a blackout in her Indian city combine to distress Maya. Her mother’s bedtime tale of a legendary banyan tree kindles the child’s imagination, bringing her comfort and soothing memories of her father. Alluring illustrations of the lush dream landscape and animals Maya visualizes will engage readers. (Grades K-3)
What Elephants Know by Eric Dinerstein (Disney-Hyperion, 2016). In the Nepalese Borderlands, twelve-year-old orphan Nandu realizes his destiny as a “mahout” (elephant driver). Through a vivid jungle setting and Nandu’s first-person narration, this story reveals the rich diversity of the natural world and the connection between humans and animals. (Grades 4-7)
To see the full list of awards, honors and commended titles, click here.
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