Kar-Ben Publishing Receives
Recognition from Sydney Taylor Awards for Three Titles.
AN ETROG FROM ACROSS THE SEA BY DEBORAH BODIN COHEN AND KERRY OLITZKY, ILLUSTRATED BY STACEY DRESSEN MCQUEEN NAMED A SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD WINNER IN THE PICTURE BOOK CATEGORY
EVERYBODY'S BOOK: THE STORY OF THE SARAJEVO HAGGADAH BY LINDA LEOPOLD STRAUSS AND ILLUSTRATED BY TIM SMART NAMED SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD
THINGS THAT SHIMMER BY DEBORAH LAKRITZ NAMED SYDNEY TAYLOR BOOK AWARD NOTABLE BOOK IN THE MIDDLE GRADE CATEGORY
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Kar-Ben Publishing has received three 2025 American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards. An Etrog from Across the Sea was named a Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner in the Picture Book category. Everybody's Book has been named Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Books in the Picture Book category. Things That Shimmer has been named Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Books in the Middle Grade category. The ALA awards were announced over the weekend and at the Youth Media Awards ceremony during the LibLearnX conference in Phoenix, Arizona.
The recognition of An Etrog
from Across the Sea as a Sydney Taylor Book Award winner is particularly
meaningful to its author. Inspired by a true story, An Etrog from Across the
Sea is a tale of the holiday of Sukkot, celebration, and family love.
Author Deborah Bodin Cohen was thrilled to hear this picture book was selected
as the Sydney Taylor Book Award winner. She stated, "What an honor to be
recognized by the Sydney Taylor Book Committee! I am thrilled and humbled
that An Etrog from Across the Sea has been given a place among
all the exceptional Sydney Taylor award winners. Their story of resilience,
joyful celebration, and, yes, sibling rivalry is timeless."
Co-author Kerry Olitzky shared these sentiments. "It is an honor to be recognized for An Etrog from Across the Sea and receive this coveted award in the field of Jewish children's literature," Olitzky added. "I was first introduced to this period of American Jewish history and the family through my own teacher, Jacob Rader Marcus, of blessed memory. And so, I am thrilled to be able to share some insights into it to young children and their parents, teachers and others who might also enjoy the lens we have provided through our story."
Illustrator Stacey Dressen McQueen
elicits the full spectrum of anticipation, worry, and joy to the readers
through detailed and colorful artwork. Upon hearing the news, she said, " It
is such a delight and honor to be recognized by the Sydney Taylor Book Award
committee. An Etrog from Across the Sea holds so much warmth, love and hope in its
pages, I am thrilled to have it acknowledged with this meaningful award
alongside the beautiful storytellers, Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry
Olitzky. A heartfelt thank you for this honor."
Everybody's Book: The Story of the Sarajevo Haggadah named as Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book in the Picture Book category. This story traces the true-story journey of a hand-painted Haggadah, passed down through generations, surviving the Spanish Inquisition, the Nazis, and the Bosnian War. Hidden in a mosque to protect it during WWII, the Haggadah was brought out in 1995 during the Bosnian conflict to demonstrate its safety. The book, now a symbol of interfaith unity, was brought to life author Linda Leopold Strauss and illustrator Tim Smart.
Things That Shimmer named as Sydney Taylor Book Award Notable Book in the Middle Grade Category. In the spring of 1973, Melanie Adler longs to fit in with the popular Shimmers, but her mother’s PTSD makes it difficult to act carefree. When Dorit Shoshani moves to town, Melanie finds a friend who understands her struggles. But when the Shimmers finally notice her, Melanie faces a choice between her friendship with Dorit and her desire for popularity.
Fran Greenman Schmitz, Kar-Ben’s publisher, is very excited to receive these honors in her first year at the helm, stating, “We are so grateful to the Sydney Taylor Book Award committee for their recognition of these outstanding books”.
All three books were recognized by the Sydney Taylor Book Awards committee as
outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish
experience.
Praise
for An Etrog from Across the Sea
"This touching
story, written by two rabbis, offers a glimpse into a lesser-known aspect of
colonial America and celebrates the warmth of family togetherness. A homey,
appealing holiday celebration."—Kirkus Reviews
"Bright
watercolor illustrations follow the true story of a book's remarkable journey
through generations and across multiple wars...People of all cultures and
faiths come together to protect the book from Nazi invasions, Serbian bombs,
and the passage of time."—starred, Foreword Reviews
"Young readers interested in
historical fiction and tween friendship books will enjoy this novel."—School
Library Journal
For more information about An Etrog from Across the Sea,
Everybody's Book, and Things That Shimmer visit karben.com.
CONTACT: Julia Fromstein
[email protected]