SANOC Recognizes South Asia-Related Books for Children

The South Asia Book Award, administered by the South Asia National Outreach Consortium (SANOC), is given annually for up to two outstanding works of literature, from early childhood to secondary reading levels, which accurately and skillfully portrays South Asia or South Asians in the diasporas, that is the experience of individuals living in South Asia, or of South Asians living in other parts of the world. Up to five Honor Books and Highly Commended Books will also be recognized by the award committee for their contribution to this body of literature on the region.

The 2012 recipients of the SABA Book Award for children was Same, Same but Different by Jenny Sue Kostecki-Shaw (Henry Holt and Company, 2011). Pen pals Elliot and Kailash discover that even though they live in different countries— America and India—they both love to climb trees, own pets, and ride school buses. Island’s End by Padma Venkatraman (G.P. Putnam’s Sons, division of Penguin Young Readers Group, 2011) was the committee’s pick in the Young Adult category. A young girl trains to be the new spiritual leader of her remote Andaman Island tribe, while facing increasing threats from the modern world. Padma created a Virtual Lesson plan about the book, including photographs of the Andaman Islands, and some of the people she met who inspired characters in the book, which you can find on our website.

Among the honorable mention books is Following My Paint Brush by Dulari Devi and Gita Wolf (Tara Books Pvt. Ltd, 2010). This book tells the story of Dulari Devi, a domestic helper who went on to become an artist in the Mithila style of folk painting from Bihar, eastern India. For more information about the award, please see the SABA website: southasiabookaward.org.