Skip to main content

Random Fact/s (12-5-2010)


I need your feedback, guys!

In The Essential Guide to Children's Books and Their Creators by Anita Silvey, Linda Sue Park is cited as the first Asian American writer to win the Newbery Medal (for A Single Shard in 2002). But what about Dhan Gopal Mukerji?

Dhan Gopal Mukerji was born on July 6, 1890 in Calcutta, India and he immigrated to the U.S. in his early 20s. He won the Newbery Medal in 1928 for his novel Gay-Neck: The Story of a Pigeon. He was the first writer of color to win the Newbery Medal and is considered the first successful Indian writer in the U.S. He committed suicide on July 14, 1936 in New York City.

Dhan Gopal Mukerji was obviously a resident of the U.S., but it seems he was never a citizen. The U.S. Congress didn't pass a bill allowing naturalization for Indians until July 1946 (ten years after his death).

Now, my questions are: Can Dhan Gopal Mukerji be considered Asian American / Indian American? Can he be considered the first Asian American writer to win the Newbery Medal?
Labels:

Comments

  1. Kell AndrewsDecember 6, 2010 at 7:04 AM

    It sounds as if Mukerji deserves his credit and his due == how sad that he ended his own life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Tarie SabidoDecember 6, 2010 at 2:21 PM

    Kelly, I am thinking the same thing. I believe Mukerji deserves to be known as the first Asian American writer to win the Newbery Medal. :o)

    And yes, it is so tragic that he ended his own life. :o( :o( :o(

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Martinez Bags 2019 PBBY Wordless Book Prize

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) declared Nina Patricia C. Martinez as the 2019 PBBY Wordless Book Prize winner. Martinez, a freelance graphic artist and illustrator, bagged the grand prize with her entry Ang Mga Sikreto ng Langit at Dagat. Martinez has a degree in Visual Communication from the University of the Philippines Diliman. She has illustrated and designed for NGOs and businesses, as well as for magazines and books. Martinez shall receive a medal and a cash prize worth twenty thousand pesos at the National Children’s Book Day ceremonies at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 16. For inquiries about the contest, contact the PBBY Secretariat at telephone number 352-6765 loc. 203 or e-mail secretariat@pbby.org.ph.
Post a Comment
Read more

GIVEAWAY: Bumasa at Lumaya 2: A Sourcebook on Children's Literature in the Philippines

I'm giving away three copies of   Bumasa at Lumaya 2: A Sourcebook on Children's Literature in the Philippines  (Anvil Publishing Inc., 2016)! This is a collection of English and Filipino essays, interviews, and other discussions edited by Ani Rosa Almario, Neni Sta. Romana Cruz, and Ramon C. Sunico, trailblazers in the Philippines' children's book industry. For a chance to win a copy of   Bumasa at Lumaya 2 , all you need to do is leave a comment on this post. Write your name, email address, and one sentence about why you want to learn more about Filipino children's literature. I will randomly select three winners at 9 p.m. (Philippine time) on Wednesday, July 27. This is an international giveaway! :o) EDIT: There appears to be something wrong with the comments section. :o( I apologize for that. Please shoot an email to asiaintheheart@yahoo.com to join the giveaway! Thank you! For more information about the book, visit the other stops on the   Buma...
5 comments
Read more

Call for Entries: The 2017 PBBY-Alcala Prize

The Philippine Board on Books for Young People (PBBY) is now accepting entries for the 2017 PBBY-Alcala Prize . The winner shall be given a cash prize of P25,000, a gold medal, and an opportunity to be published. Prizes will be awarded in an appropriate ceremony to be held during the celebration of National Children’s Book Day on   July 18 . Contest Rules The contest is open to all Filipino citizens except those who are related to any PBBY member up to the third degree of consanguinity. Entries must be based on the 2017 PBBY-Salanga Prize winning story   Dalawa Kami ni Lola   by Genaro Gojo Cruz. A copy of this story may be requested from the PBBY Secretariat or   downloaded from the PBBY website . All entries must be original unpublished illustrations that have not won in any previous contest. All entries must consist of three (3) illustrations that are of the same size and medium. Entries do not have to be based on consecutive spreads/parts of the tex...
Post a Comment
Read more