28 Days Later

28 Days Later

The Brown Bookshelf is proud to announce, we are now accepting submissions for our 2nd Annual 28 DAYS LATER.

During the twenty-eight days of Black History Month, we’ll profile a different children’s or young adult author and children’s illustrator. On February 28th, we’ll announce the winner of our grand prize–a gift basket featuring every book profiled during the month, donated to the library of your choice!

We need your help. We’re looking for the best new and unnoticed works by African-American authors. From picture books to novels, books fresh off the presses to treasured classics–whatever books you like, we want to know. We’re specifically looking for new books and books that have “flown under the radar,” but you can nominate any book, as long as it’s a children’s or YA book written by an African-American author published by a traditional publisher for the trade market.

Nominations accepted from September 29th to November 1st. Just post a comment here at the website, or email us at email@thebrownbookshelf.com. You can nominate as many books as you like. And be sure to leave your email address, as each nominator is automatically entered for the grand prize. You could be your library’s new favorite patron if you’re selected to choose which library receives our basket of books.

So what are you waiting for? Nominate an author! And spread the word!

- The Brown Bookshelf

(Click here for additional information about the Brown Bookshelf and the selection process for 28 Days Later.)

NOTE: Please note that due to the limited resourses of the team, we can only take nominations for traditionally published books. We will highlight a small number of self-published authors for the 28 Days Later campaign, but these authors will be nominated and picked by the Brown Bookshelf team. If you have any questions on this matter, please email us at email@thebrownbookshelf.com.

Also, please look through the comment list, and only nominate books that haven’t been mentioned. It only takes one nomination to get a book considered.

20 Responses to “28 Days Later”

  1. Doret Says:
    September 29, 2008 at 3:22 pm

    I have three submissions
    Monica McKayhan, author of Indigo Summer- It was the first Kimani Tru book I read and I really enjoyed it
    Deborah Gregory- author of Catwalk
    Philana Marie Boles author of Little Divas- I loved this book, still hoping there will be more

  2. Varian Johnson Says:
    September 30, 2008 at 6:59 am

    Submitted via email:

    LITTLE DIVAS by Philana Marie Boles.

    Thanks for the recommendation. Keep ‘em coming!

  3. Varian Johnson Says:
    September 30, 2008 at 7:05 am

    Another subbed via email:

    NO MUSH TODAY by Sally Derby, Ill. by Nicole Tadgell

  4. Varian Johnson Says:
    September 30, 2008 at 7:08 am

    Another subbed via email:

    AMADI’S SNOWMAN by Katia Novet Saint-Lot, Illustrated by Dimitrea Tokunbo

    Thanks for all the suggestions, guys!

  5. Denene Millner Says:
    September 30, 2008 at 9:58 am

    Thank you for doing this–for us parents who are CONSTANTLY on the look-out for great stories for our children, and for us authors who are starved for attention, recognition, and readers. Yours is a most important site! Here are my picks:

    1. Can’t Stop the Shine, by Joyce E. Davis (my 16-year-old son REALLY enjoyed this one)
    2. The Ruby and the Booker Boys series, by Derrick Barnes (a BRILLIANT series that my kids LOVE)
    3. The Willimina Rules, Rules Book #6: How To Face Up To the Class Bully, by Valerie Wilson Wesley (I know this came out in May 2007, but since NOBODY carries it in the bookstore, which is where I get all of my girls’ books, we didn’t find out until recently that it was available. Ridiculous.)
    4. Precious And the Boo Hag, Patricia McKissack (a recent discovery at the Scholastic Book Fair–on repeat request when I read to my daughter’s 1st grade class. It came out a few years ago, but it when we found it, it was like finding a present under the Christmas tree. Just brilliant.)

  6. Joy Acey Says:
    September 30, 2008 at 1:56 pm

    THE BLACKER THE BERRY
    by Joyce Carol Thomas and Illustrated by Floyd Cooper is the perfect wedding of uplifting poetry and beautiful art.
    It is a book that will empower young children. Copyright 2008,

    Do the books have to have been published this year? If not I really loved CLIMB HIGHER, GIRLS by Beah Richards and illustrated by R. Gregory Christie. that was published in 2006.

  7. Rita Says:
    September 30, 2008 at 3:47 pm

    Bronx Masquerade by Nikki Grimes
    Locomotion by Jacqueline Woodson
    We Are The Ship by Kadir Nelson

  8. Paula Says:
    September 30, 2008 at 7:18 pm

    Thanks everyone, keep them coming.

    Essentially, the primary criteria is that they be children’s book by a traditionally published African American author. Once we have all our names, we look back at track record to see if the author has published earlier books or if there are any in the pipeline (i.e. dedication to the children’s field).

    So no need to limit submissions to those books published in ‘07 or ‘08.

  9. Dereck Says:
    September 30, 2008 at 7:54 pm

    My Grandma’s Backyard by Miles and William Rabun.
    Note: This unique professionally illustrated book was written and published by young African-American brothers at the age of 7and 9. It sold over 1200 copies in less than one year and the authors have toured the British West Indies, North Carolina and Georgia so far inspiring writers and especially African-Americans of all ages. Please seriously consider this as one of your self-published works.

  10. Linda Trice Says:
    October 1, 2008 at 8:14 am

    Please consider my picture book KENYA’S WORD. publisher: Charlesbridge.

    The Florida chapter of the National League of American Pen Women voted it the best children’s book in 2008. In 2007 the IRA of Delaware listed it as one of their ten Delaware Diamonds.

    I have done author visits in Harlem (NY) and in Florida. Children think it is funny. Teachers like the way nouns and adjectives are taught. Parents like the concepts of black pride.

    I am a black mother. I received a MFA at Columbia University where my writing professor was John O. Killens. My undergraduatge degree is from Howard University. http://www.LindaTrice.com

  11. Linda Trice Says:
    October 1, 2008 at 8:16 am

    Thank you.

  12. Floyd C. Dickman Says:
    October 1, 2008 at 8:42 am

    I just came across your website and am pleased to see such a wonderful listing of African American authors and some illustrators. I work as a consultant doing wiorkshops for teachers, libraians, etc. and am intersted in finding more Aftican American illustrators. I primarily specialize in Picture Books for children birth to age 8. I could not find a listing of illustrators on your site but thought I may be missing it.

    Keep up the good work.

    I will be sharing the information about your “twenty eight days later” program.

  13. paulahy Says:
    October 1, 2008 at 10:42 am

    Mr. Dickman, illustrators can be found in italics on the following page, which lists all of the 2008 spotlighted authors and illustrators.

    http://thebrownbookshelf.com/28-days-later/28-days-later-2008/

    The illustrators showcased were:
    Shane Evans
    John Holyfield
    Leonard Jenkins
    Sean Qualls

    Thank you for your support.

  14. Cynthia Leitich Smith Says:
    October 1, 2008 at 11:08 am

    Becoming Billie Holiday by Carol Boston Weatherford
    Pilot Pups by Michelle Meadows
    My Life as a Rhombus by Varian Johnson

  15. Shadra Says:
    October 1, 2008 at 11:15 am

    I nominate WE ARE THE SHIP, a project 17 years in the making written and illus. by Kadir Nelson

  16. Shadra Says:
    October 1, 2008 at 11:16 am

    oops, make that seven, not seventeen ;-)

  17. Lynn E. Hazen Says:
    October 1, 2008 at 11:07 pm

    I’d like to nominate the wonderful picture book, THIS JAZZ MAN (Harcourt 2006), by Karen Ehrhardt

    This Jazz Man…
    riffs on the traditional counting chant “This Old Man” by moving it to the jazz club! Each spread showcases a different real-life African-American jazz great — Satchmo scats, Bojangles taps, and Dizzy plays “notes that rise to heaven.” Onomatopoeic jazz-sounds (”Beedle-di-Bop! Bebop!”) spill across the pages, replacing the original chant’s “paddy-whack” refrain. Fun for jazz aficionado parents and neophytes alike, this sing-along delights preschoolers and kindergarteners, while older children and their parents appreciate the brief bios of featured musicians including Duke Ellington and Charles Mingus.

    - One of twenty-four picture books selected for New York Public Library’s list, “100 Titles for Reading and Sharing.”

    - One of the “Multicultural Books Every Child Should Know” as per the National Education Association and the California Teacher’s Association.

  18. Bobbie Frost Says:
    October 2, 2008 at 10:34 pm

    I enthusiastically nominate Bird written by Zetta Elliott and illustrated by Shadra Strickland.

    Our young boys are looking for a hero. They can find one in Bird who is successfully coping with real-life problems in real-life times.

  19. Varian Johnson Says:
    October 2, 2008 at 11:56 pm

    Sent via email:

    Kevin Lewis, author of the following books:

    Chugga Chugga Choo Choo
    My Truck is Stuck
    Tugga-Tugga Tugboat
    Runaway Pumpkin
    Dinosaur Dinosaur
    Lot at the End of my Block

  20. Paula Says:
    October 3, 2008 at 10:32 am

    Hi everyone. Keep the submissions coming in. But I thought I’d drop in for a little housekeeping.

    The following authors were spotlighted during our first 28 Days Later. So they wouldn’t be selected again, to ensure we shine the light on those who have escaped our attention.
    Carole Boston Weatherford
    Valerie Wilson Wesley
    Michelle Meadows

    Below is the link to the 2008 spotlights for those who want to check whose had the spotlight:

    http://thebrownbookshelf.com/28-days-later/28-days-later-2008/

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