FLAGSTAFF, AZ - Monday, January 22nd. The 2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award was presented for several books on Monday, January 22nd.
Among the Young Adult Honor Book titles was Salina Bookshelf's Running with Changing Woman, written by Navajo author Lorinda Martinez.
Running with Changing Woman joins other Salina Bookshef titles as honor books, such as Her Land, Her Love (2016 Honor Book), Fall in Line, Holden! (2018 Honor Picture Book)
Running with Changing Woman:
Running with Changing Woman follows Samantha Benito, a Navajo girl attending Atsá Mesa Community School on the Navajo Reservation. Her life has seemed pretty average when one day at school her body suddenly changes. As a Diné, Samantha must now prepare for the Diné womanhood ceremony called the Kinaaldá, a ceremony once performed by the Navajo deity, Changing Woman. With her life now filled with more drama than ever before, she’s reluctant to participate in the demanding four-day ceremony. With a whirlwind of new adventures and pep talks from those closest to her, Sam’s family and her two best friends do their best to help Sam deal with bullies, boys, and her new responsibilities as a Diné woman.
American Indian Youth Literature Award:
The first AILA American Indian Youth Literature Awards were presented during the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color in 2006. Awarded biennially, the AIYLA identifies and honors the very best writing and illustrations by Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America. Books selected to receive the award present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity. In odd-numbered years, nominations are encouraged in fiction or nonfiction and may include graphic novels; for picture books, the award is for both author and illustrator. Awards are granted in even-numbered years. Authors/illustrators may win the American Indian Youth Literature Award in the categories Best Picture Book, Best Middle Grade Book, and Best Young Adult Book. In addition, up to five awards may be selected as Honors books in each category.