The 70th annual William Allen White Children’s Book Award winners have been announced.
The winning selections are “Wildfire” by Rodman Philbrick as chosen by readers in grades 3-5 and “The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise” by Dan Gemeinhart as chosen by readers in grades 6-8. Both authors will be coming to Emporia in October to be recognized for their works as part of the annual celebration activities hosted by Emporia State University and supported by the Trusler Foundation.
“Wildfire” follows 12-year-old Sam who is separated from his summer camp group by a wall of fire. After coming across another lost survivor the two must work together to overcome “one of the deadliest fires ever.”
“The Remarkable Journey of Coyote Sunrise,” tells the story of Coyote who, along with her father Rodeo, travels the country in an old school bus after her mother and two sisters were killed five years earlier in a car accident. When Coyote learns that the park in her old neighborhood where she buried a memory box with her mother and sisters is set to be demolished, she races back home to try and stop the demolition.
This year’s award ceremony will take place on Oct. 1. Prior to the official ceremony, schoolchildren from across Kansas will come to Emporia for special events including lock-ins, author readings and book signings and a parade.
