US author Woodson wins £430k Astrid Lindgren Award

American author Jacqueline Woodson has won the SEK5m (£430,000) Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award 2018 for her “masterful characterisation and deep understanding of the adolescent psyche”. Woodson is the author of 30 books, including novels, poetry and picture books.

Woodson frequently writes about teenagers’ experience of growing into adults, often from a female first-person perspective. Racism, segregation, economic injustice, social exclusion, prejudice and sexual identity are all recurring themes in her work. Her 2017 novel Another Brooklyn (Oneworld) was nominated for the US National Book Award.

“It’s important to hold up mirrors for kids to see their experience is legitimate. Too often those mirrors aren’t there for them,” said Woodson.

“Jacqueline Woodson captures a unique poetic note in a daily reality divided between sorrow and hope. She tells stories of resounding richness and depth,” said the judges.