Jamaica Plain writer Susan E. Goodman was honored with the 17th Annual Massachusetts Book Award in the Picture Book/Early Reader category for The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial, in a recent State House ceremony.
Susan E. Goodman, left, with state Rep. Natalie Higgins, D-4th Worcester, received the 17th Annual Massachusetts Book Award in the Picture Book/Early Reader category for The First Step: How One Girl Put Segregation on Trial.
Goodman's book is the true story of a young African American girl who challenged segregation in the public schools of Massachusetts more than a century before Brown v. Board of Education.
With hundreds in attendance, including legislators, writers, librarians and the book community, Massachusetts Center for the Book (MCB) presented the 2019 Library of Congress/Massachusetts Literacy Award and the Massachusetts Book Awards on September 17 at a State House ceremony.
State Rep. Paul McMurtry, D-11th Norfolk, chairperson of the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development, and state Rep. Natalie Higgins, D-4th Worcester, house co-chair of the Library Caucus, provided the legislative welcome.
The Massachusetts Book Awards presentations commenced with Sharon Shaloo, MCB Executive Director, reminding the audience that this is the largest state book awards program in the country.
“It’s a testament to the vitality of the contemporary writing community in our commonwealth,” said Shaloo.
Goodman is the author of more than 30 nonfiction children's books, including How Do You Burp in Space?, The Truth About Poop and Pee, Nature Did It First!, and more.