ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN AWARD FOR LITERATURE
(APAAL) 2001-2003
PRESS RELEASE
APALA AWARD ANNOUNCEMENT
May 1, 2004
The Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association proudly announces the following books as winner of the 2004 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature. The books were chosen among those by or about Asian Pacific Americans published between 2001 and 2003.
Adult Fiction Winner
Martel, Yann. Life of Pi. New York: Harcourt, 2002.
This is truly a story of courage, bravery and survival. Pi Patel is shipwrecked and stranded on a life boat in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. His companions are a few of animals from the family zoo that his father was transporting to Canada: a zebra, an orangutan, a hyena and a tiger. Pi is a resourceful and intelligent teen who tests his own mettle throughout the whole book. He survives, struggles against the elements, the animals, and his own despair to come out of the ordeal a stronger man. The book is well balanced with moments of levity and dire situations. Martel writes with a skill that will sweep the reader into Pi's reality. The way he develops the characters, even that of the tiger and the other animals, creates dimension and a fullness that is outstanding. Pi is built up as a character who is so human, so solid, that his faith is inspiring.
Illustration in Children Literature Winner
Wong, Janet S. and Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Illustrator) . Apple Pie 4th of July. New York: Harcourt, 2002.
The illustrations are expertly created with all the elements of "writing with pictures". The printmaking technique is interesting and well done and the book captures an Asian American spirit in its illustrations and text, and is authentic in its portrayals.
Honorable Mention for Illustration in Children's Literature
Myer, Tim and Robert Roth (Illustrator). Tanuki's Gift. New York: Marshall Cavendish Corp, 2003.
Based on an ancient Japanese legend, with an altered and happier ending, Tanuki's Gift is a warm tale of the true meaning of friendship. The whimsical illustration of mixed-media (gouche, watercolor, pastel, etc.) and playful, bold, and organic strokes accentuates the story's innocent and childlike nature. The expressive images of the monk and the Tanuki will stay with the readers for a long time.
Yin. and Soentpiet, Chris (Illustrator). Coolies. New York: Philomel Books, 2001.
Coolies depicts the story of two brothers, Shek and Wong from Canton China. They came to America in 1865, laboring to help build the transcontinental railroad from Sacramento to Omaha. The story also describes the hard life and dangers that Chinese workers faced during the construction of the railroad. The excellent use of color and true to life facial expression earns the book honors in illustration.
Text in Children and Young Adult Literature Winner
Na, An. A Step From Heaven. Asheville, N.C. : Front Street, c2001.
The bittersweet experience of a Korean immigrant family and their life in America are delivered in a poetic language. Vivid descriptions of each character's emotions impacts readers to the fullest. The book was unanimously selected as the winner of the Children/Young Literature category.
Honorable Mention for Text in Young Adult Literature
Desai Hidier, Tanuja. Born Confused. New York: Scholastic. 2002.
In fresh, witty, and often poetic prose, Dimple Lala's daily experiences as an Indian American teenager from New Jersey jump out of the pages and present a force impossible to ignore. Photography, pop-music, food, rituals, and a budding romance are all integral to the multi-layered story about sorting through the confusion of being a second-generation immigrant and a teen.
Mochizuki, Ken. Beacon Hill Boys. New York: Scholastic, 2002.
Living in a racially mixed Beacon Hill neighborhood in Seattle during the early 1970s, Dan Inagaki, a second generation Japanese American, yearns to know more of his ethnic and cultural identity, especially after black students at his high school lobbied for a Black culture class. He is often puzzled by his parents' releuctance to share their experiences in the internment camp and their attempts at becoming an "All American" family. At home, Dan faces constant pressure to measure up to his older brother, a straight-A student and fine athlete. With his best friends, Dan rebels against the image of the model minority. The book features well-drawn and realistic characters, and the story is thought-provoking, raising questions about prejudice, family, and cultural identity.
Park, Linda Sue A Single Shard. New York: Clarion Books, 2001.
Park masterfully depicts the determination of a 12-year-old young orphan boy named Tree-ear, a literal meaning of a mushroom that grows without parent seed in Korean, whose desire was to become a pottery master one day. Set in 12th century Korea, Tree-ear's journey to take pottery-master Min's work to the Royal Emissary for the commission is full of excitement and danger. However, Tree-ear's determination and dedication on finishing what he started as well as his constant pursuit of his dreams against all odds would touch anyone who reads the book. Portrait of accurate description of Korea's famous caldron making and social conditions during the Koryo Dynasty, and its literary quality truly deserve both APAAL Honor and John Newbery Awards.