Arts & Entertainment
Patricia Reilly Giff wins Christopher Award for “Genevieve’s War”
The book, by this Trumbull-based author, is one of 12 to receive an award at the 69th annual gala on May 19th in NYC.
Patricia Reilly Giff, Trumbull, Conn.-based author, has won a Christopher Award for “Genevieve’s War,” (Ages 8 and up, Holiday House Publishing). It is one of 12 books for adults and young people by 19 authors and illustrators to be celebrated on May 17, 2018 at the 69th annual Christopher Awards in New York along with the writers, producers and directors of 9 feature films and TV/Cable programs.
The book is about a 13 year old American girl’s vacation at her grandmother’s farm as World War II erupts in 1939 Alsace, France. It takes an ominous turn when the Nazi occupation leaves her in dangerous circumstances that test her character and sense of personal responsibility. A frightening German officer commandeers a room in her grandmother’s farmhouse and when Gen's friend Remi commits an act of sabotage, she is forced to hide him in the attic—right above the Nazi officer's head. Genevieve also learns about trust, judgment, first impressions and love.
Giff has written many acclaimed books for children that have appeared on the New York Times and Publishers Weekly bestsellers lists, among others. Her works include the timeless “Lily’s Crossing,” a Newbery Honor Book and a Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor Book; “Pictures of Hollis Woods,” a Newbery Honor Book; and “Nory Ryan’s Song,” an American Library Association [ALA] Notable Children’s Book, an ALA Best Book for Young Adults, a School Library Journal Best Book of the Year, and a Golden Kite Honor Book.
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Her books for younger readers include the bestselling “Kids of the Polk Street School” series and the “Ronald Morgan” books. Pat’s most recent books, published by Holiday House, include the “Hunter Moran” series and the nonfiction “Writing with Rosie: You Can Write a Story Too.”
The Christopher Awards were created in 1949 to celebrate authors, illustrators, writers, producers and directors whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit.” The Christophers, a nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb—“It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”— guides its publishing, radio, and awards programs. More information about The Christophers is available at www.christophers.org.