T.L. Huchu and Kareem Rosser were declared winners at the Alex Awards 2022 on Monday, January 24, 2021.
The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. The Alex Awards, sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust, were first given annually in 1998 and became an official American Library Association (ALA) award in 2002. Edwards pioneered young adult library services and worked for many years at the Enoch Pratt Library in Baltimore. Her work is described in her book Fair Garden and the Swarm of Beasts, and over the years she has served as an inspiration to many librarians who serve young adults. The Alex Awards are named after Edwards, who was called “Alex” by her friends.
The Young Adult Library Services Association, a division of the American Library Association, has selected 10 adult books with special appeal to teen readers to receive the 2022 Alex Awards. Making the selection was a committee of Michael Fleming (Chair), Julie Benolken, Heather Beverley, Anne Dame, Tammiika Frowner, Amanda Kingswell, Kathleen Reynolds, Carrie Richmond, Karen Scott, Kirsten Gunn, and Julia Smith.
“I was grateful to have an experienced core of school and public librarians who could zero in on the most important factor of an ALEX Award-winning book – will this hit with teens? This list gives librarians and families a larger selection of books that their children will love to read,” said 2022 Alex Awards Committee Chair Michael Fleming.
In the list of ten announced, the following two writers of African descent made the cut;
- The Library of the Dead by T.L. Huchu, published by Tor Books, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, a division of Macmillan (9781250767769). Set in Dystopic Scotland, Ghost talker Roya, uses her Zimbabwean magic to investigate the mysterious disappearances of missing children.
- Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever by Kareem Rosser, published by St. Martin’s Press, a division of Macmillan (9781250270863). Growing up in an economically disadvantaged part of Philadelphia, the Rosser brothers discover a horse stable. Their relationships to the horses, riding and polo change all their lives.
TL Huchu while sharing news on the win said, “Great start to 2022 with an Alex Award for “The Library of the Dead”🍻.
Kareem Rosser said on Instagram, “Thank you, @americanlibraryassociation for selecting my memoir as this year’s Alex award winner! A big thank you to my team at @janklownesbit and @stmartinspress for making this possible. Lastly, Thank you to my dear friend Maia :)?
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