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A Curse Dark As Gold
Posted on July 9, 2009 by Victoria in fairy tales and folklore, Kansas, My Favorite, other award winners, Young Adult/Teen
by Elizabeth C. BunceA Curse Dark As Gold is shelved in the YA fiction collection, but it’s also appropriate for older elementary students and adults. This debut novel by a Lenexa author made the 2009 Kansas Notable Books list. Kansas Notable Books are outstanding works by Kansans or about Kansas in fiction, nonfiction, adult and children’s literature.Full of dark atmosphere, this is an creative re-telling of the Rumpelstiltskin tale. Bunce uses the old story to explore issues of family and community obligation, deceit and loyalty. I look forward to reading the next book by this talented new Kansas author.reviewed by Victoria
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>This book was also named as the first recepient of the ALA's William C. Morris award:
ALA’s William C. Morris Young Adult Debut Award
Thursday, January 29th, 2009
When the American Library Association recently presented its Youth Media Awards, an exciting announcement was the winner of the new William C. Morris Young Adult Debut Award.
The award’s namesake is William C. Morris, an influential innovator in the publishing world and an advocate for marketing books for children and young adults. Bill Morris left an impressive mark on the field of children’s and young adult literature. He was beloved in the publishing field and the library profession for his generosity and marvelous enthusiasm for promoting literature for children and teens.
The William C. Morris YA Debut Award celebrates the achievement of a previously unpublished author, or authors, who have made a strong literary debut in writing for young adult readers. The work cited will illuminate the teen experience and enrich the lives of its readers through its excellence, demonstrated by:
* Compelling, high quality writing and/or illustration
* The integrity of the work as a whole
* Its proven or potential appeal to a wide range of teen readers
PaperTigers is pleased to congratulate the first-ever winner of the William C. Morris Award:
A Curse Dark as Gold by Elizabeth C. Bunce
At the dawn of the Industrial Revolution, Charlotte Miller strikes a bargain with the malevolent Jack Spinner, who can transform straw into gold, to save her family’s mill. With masterly writing and vivid characterization and setting, Bunce weaves a powerfully seductive tale of triumph over evil.
“Bunce has crafted a story that superbly embodies the criteria for this award. Her work is compelling and has broad teen appeal,” said Chair Bonnie Kunzel. “Thoughtful reflection and spirited discussion characterized this outstanding committee’s work as its members selected a shortlist that honors the influence of William C. Morris on the field of young adult publishing.”