PPGJLI's Aya Anthology wins CBC FAVORITES award

SAINT PAUL, Minn. - June 1, 2024 - PRLog -- Winners of the 2024 Children's Book Council (CBC) FAVORITES Award have been chosen. In the category of Young Adult Favorites was Aya: An Anthology of Racial Justice, Healing and the Black Experience by Planting People Growing Justice™ Leadership Institute (PPGJLI).

Dr. Artika R. Tyner, founder of the non-profit PPGJLI, made the announcement. The book is available in bookstores nationwide.

Published by PPGJLI, the 32-page anthology is written for students in grades 9-12. Winning books earn the right to bear the CBC Favorites Seal. Tyner authored the PPGJLI anthology and contributors were Veronica Chapman, Kevin Reese and Majeste Phillip. The book was illustrated by Erianna Jiles.

"Thank you to all the participants at reading locations for your hard work and dedication. We are truly honored to receive this honor. It celebrates the voices of our youth who are planting seeds of social change," said Tyner.

Big CBC award winners were Jerry Craft, Ryan Higgins, Raul The Third, Candace Fleming, Nikki Grimes, Jane Yolen, Carole Boston Weatherford, Cynthia Leitch Smith, Jason Reynolds, Grace Lin, Joseph Coelho, Shannon Hale, Chris Grabenstein, Torrey Maldonado, and others who received the No. 1 spots across the Children's Young Adult, Teacher and Librarian Favorites categories.

The CBC issues six lists of books that children, teens, teachers, and librarians enjoy reading, spanning all 50 states. The No. 1 pick by children and librarians in the 3^rd-5^th grade category in the Great Banned Books Bake Sale are highlighted on the CBC website, along with the story behind the books.

"We also wanted to thank the 68 schools, libraries and bookstores that conducted the reading and voting last fall," said Tyner.

Aya: An Anthology of Racial Justice, Healing and the Black Experience is the result of PPGJLI's (http://www.ppgjli.org) annual writing competition. It provides youths with the opportunity to use art to aid in societal reform and inspire them to help lead that change. The theme for the contest was "What is racial justice and healing to you?"