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Jet, Feb 21, 2000

The American Library Association (ALA) recently announced that the children's book Bud, Not Buddy by Christopher Paul Curtis was awarded the John Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Author Award.

The Newbery Medal is one of the most prestigious awards in children's literature, and the Coretta Scott King Author Award recognizes excellence by Black authors.

The awards marked the first time that one children's book has received both honors. Curtis' winning the Newbery Medal also signaled the first time since 1976 that a Black writer has won that award.

Bud, Not Buddy, published by Delacorte, explores the life and hard times of a 10-year-old orphan growing up in the Great Depression, who runs away from a foster home in search of a legendary jazz band leader who he thinks is his father.

Curtis' first novel, The Watsons Go To Birmingham-1963, was named a Newbery Honor Book in 1996.

Considered the "Academy Awards" of children's book publishing, the Newbery Medal honors outstanding writing of children's works published in the United States during the previous year.

The Newbery Medal is administered by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the ALA. The Coretta Scott King Awards are administered by the Coretta Scott King Task Force of the ALA's Social Responsibilities Roundtable.