Edwidge Danticat was nominated for an NCAAP Award for Best Book for Untwine in the Outstanding Literary Work-Youth/Teens category, her Young Adult novel earlier this year. And now, she’s been named a National Writer’s Conference honoree. She’s receiving her award at the Center for Black Literature at Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York. Her book Brother, I am Dying was part of the prestigious The Big Read Miami program.

This is her reaction to both honors, in an exclusive statement she gave to moi:

“I am extremely honored of to have my memoir in The Big Read Miami program. One does not do this kind of work for accolades, but it is always very heartwarming to know that my work has touched people and that they have reacted to it so kindly.

Given the climate we are in now, with all the electoral rhetoric and anti immigration talk, I am very happy that people will be reading and discussing Brother, I’m Dying at this particular time. I hope the book will shed some light on the lives of people who have gone through and continue to go through similar experiences and I hope it leads to more productive and humane conversations both in private and public places.”

Congratulations Edwidge Danticat. And call the carpenter and have him build another shelf for more awards. Good for you, girl.

CLICK HERE to read other articles (including interviews) about and with Edwidge Danticat.