THIS ONE SUMMER WINS A CALDECOTT HONOR AND A PRINTZ HONOR

Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki’s New York Times Best-Selling graphic novel This One Summer has just received a Caldecott Honor and a Printz Honor.

This One Summer is the first graphic novel to ever be recognized by a Caldecott, the award given to the most distinguished American picture book for children published each year.  It is the second graphic novel ever to be honored by the Printz, following Gene Luen Yang’s American Born Chinese (First Second Books, 2006).

“It's an incredible thrill to be recognized by the ALA, and by librarians in general, who pretty much run the show as far as we are concerned. We are grateful for the many communities that have supported this book, which was inspired by the amazingness of young people.  Thank you librarians, thank you comic book readers, publishers and makers,” say Mariko Tamaki and Jillian Tamaki.

First Second Editorial Director Mark Siegel says, “The Caldecott Award is the highest honor a picture book can receive, and the Printz has the same place in young adult literature. The great librarians on these committees prove over and over how vital these awards are, and how far we have come since the days when comics were disqualified from the literary conversation. Here it is: proof that great story, great characters, great voices and yes, great writing come in graphic novel packages.”