2021 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners & Honor Books

2021 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winner · Fiction and Poetry

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 16–+ · 2021

A Sitting in St. James

By Rita Williams-Garcia

Secrets unravel on a plantation as a portrait reveals hidden truths and tangled histories.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2021)

480 pages

4.0/5 Goodreads · 1,629 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1860 Louisiana, Madame Sylvie Guilbert plans her final act: a portrait that defies her family's wishes. As the canvas takes shape, buried secrets and the intertwined lives of the plantation's inhabitants emerge. From the grand house to the fields, stories of horror and hidden legacies surface, challenging the Guilberts' legacy. What truths will the portrait unveil, and how will it reshape the lives of those bound to the land? This epic tale explores the brutal and human complexities of a plantation's past, inviting readers to confront the enduring shadows of history.

2021 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winner · Picture Book

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–8 · 2020

I Talk Like a River

By Jordan Scott, Sydney Smith (Illustrator)

A boy finds his voice with his father's help by the river.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2021)Charlotte Zolotow Honor (2022)Odyssey Honor (2022)Schneider Family Book Award (2021)

40 pages· 545 words· Est. 5 min read-aloud

4.5/5 Goodreads · 4,267 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: A young boy struggles with stuttering, feeling isolated and unable to express himself. His father takes him on a transformative walk by the river, helping him discover his voice. Will this change in perspective allow him to connect with the world around him? This heartfelt journey explores the power of compassion and understanding, offering hope to any child who feels lost or out of place.

2021 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winner · Nonfiction

Sale price

$1895

Chapter Book · Ages 14–18 · 2021

From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry

By Paula Yoo

A fatal bar fight ignites a civil rights movement, challenging justice and sparking nationwide protests.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award (2021)CALA Best Book Award (Chinese American Librarians Association) (2022)

384 pages

4.2/5 Goodreads · 1,615 ratings

$19.95Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1982 Detroit, a bar fight leaves Vincent Chin dead, igniting outrage when his killers receive a lenient sentence. This injustice propels the Asian American community into action, leading to a historic civil rights trial. As tensions rise, the fight for justice becomes a rallying cry against racism. Discover the pivotal events that transformed a tragedy into a movement, forever changing the landscape of civil rights in America. Will justice prevail, or will the echoes of this injustice continue to resonate? Uncover the story that turned whispers into a powerful call for change.

2021 Honor Books

Sale price

$1697

Chapter Book · Ages 10–+ · 2020

Fighting Words

By Kimberly Brubaker Bradley

Two sisters face trauma and silence. Can they find their voices and heal?

Newbery Honor (2021)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Golden Kite Honor (2021)Odyssey Honor (2021)

272 pages· 49,943 words· Est. 7 hour read

4.6/5 Goodreads · 14,353 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: Ten-year-old Della relies on her sister Suki for protection. But when Suki attempts suicide, Della's world shatters. As secrets unravel, Della must decide if it's time to speak out. Can the sisters find their voices and heal from the past?

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2021

Watercress

By Andrea Wang, Jason Chin (Illustrator)

A roadside discovery reveals a family's hidden heritage and unites past and present.

Newbery Honor (2022)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Caldecott Medal (2022)CALA Best Book Award (Chinese American Librarians Association) (2022)Cybils Award (2021)Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (2022)

32 pages· 497 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

5.8/7 Bookroo·4.5/5 Goodreads · 6,010 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: In Ohio, a young girl feels embarrassed when her immigrant parents stop to gather wild watercress. As her mother shares a poignant story from their past in China, the girl begins to understand the significance of their foraging. This journey into family history transforms her embarrassment into appreciation, creating a new, cherished memory. Discover how a simple act of gathering connects generations and uncovers the power of heritage.

Sale price

$1899

Chapter Book · Ages 14–+ · 2020

Punching the Air

By Ibi Zoboi, Yusef Salaam

A teen artist fights for truth and humanity after wrongful imprisonment.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)

400 pages· 29,478 words· Est. 2.5 hour read

4.4/5 Goodreads · 24,403 ratings

$19.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Amal Shahid, a young artist, finds his life shattered when he's wrongfully imprisoned at sixteen. In a biased system, his art becomes his lifeline. Can he reclaim his story and fight for justice? This gripping tale explores resilience and the power of words in the face of adversity.

Sale price

$1797

Picture Book · Ages 4–7 · 2020

I Am Every Good Thing

By Derrick Barnes, Gordon C. James (Illustrator)

A young boy celebrates his identity and self-worth through a series of affirmations.

Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Cybils Award (2020)

32 pages· 508 words· Est. 4 min read-aloud

4.6/5 Goodreads · 3,633 ratings

$18.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Meet a young, confident narrator bursting with energy and dreams. He's creative, adventurous, and determined to make a difference. Yet, he's often misunderstood and labeled unfairly. Can he overcome these challenges and show the world his true self? Discover the superhero within as he navigates a world that doesn't always see him for who he is. This empowering tale invites you to slow down, listen, and truly see the extraordinary in those around us.

Sale price

$2469

Chapter Book · Ages 10–14 · 2020

All Thirteen

By Christina Soontornvat

Trapped in a cave, a soccer team faces rising floodwaters and a global rescue mission.

Newbery Honor (2021)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2021)Cybils Award (2020)Golden Kite Award (2021)Orbis Pictus Honor (2021)

280 pages· 42,024 words· Est. 4.5 hour read

4.5/5 Goodreads · 7,023 ratings

$25.99Save 5%

Hardcover

Summary: Twelve young soccer players and their coach are trapped in a flooded Thai cave. As the world watches, a daring seventeen-day rescue unfolds. Can these ordinary kids survive the darkness and hunger? Discover the extraordinary courage and global effort that turned a perilous situation into a miraculous rescue. Dive into the suspenseful blend of science, culture, and human spirit that saved the Wild Boars.

Sale price

$1697

Picture Book · Ages 8–12 · 2021

Unspeakable

By Carole Boston Weatherford, Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)

A thriving community faces devastation in a forgotten tragedy of racial violence.

The New York Times/New York Public Library Best Illustrated Children’s Books Award (2021)Boston Globe–Horn Book Honor (2021)Caldecott Honor (2022)Coretta Scott King Award (2022)Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor (2022)Jane Addams Children's Book Honor (2022)

32 pages· 859 words· Est. 7 min read-aloud

4.5/5 Goodreads · 4,329 ratings

$17.99Save 6%

Hardcover

Summary: In 1921, Tulsa's Greenwood District, a prosperous African American community, is shattered when a white mob attacks, leaving death and destruction in its wake. As the truth is buried for decades, this powerful narrative invites young readers to confront the past and envision a future of hope and justice. What will it take to heal and remember?

The 2021 Boston Globe–Horn Book Award

A Sitting in St. James

I Talk Like a River

From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry

Fighting Words

Watercress

Punching the Air

I Am Every Good Thing

All Thirteen

Unspeakable

Boston Globe–Horn Book Award Winners by Year

Bookroo

Book Clubs

Book Store

Schools

Book Platform

Authors & Illustrators

Follow Bookroo