2020 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards recognizes YA historical fiction and children’s book to end racial injustice from Loyola Press

CHICAGO, October 15, 2020—Loyola Press is proud to announce its winning titles from the 2020 Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards. The publishers’ first young adult fiction chapter book, Shadow in the Dark by Antony Barone Kolenc won the gold medal in the Young Adult Fiction – Horror/Mystery/Suspense category and the children’s picture book Everyone Belongs by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops won the gold medal in the Religion/Spirituality category.

Shadow in the Dark, the first book of the Harwood Mysteries series, is set in medieval times and follows the adventures of a young boy, Alexander, as he tries to recover his memory after a bandit attack, and with his new friends at the Benedictine abbey, uncover the mystery of the shadowy figure in the dark. School Library Journal called the book, “An engaging medieval adventure with appeal that transcends its denominational press.”

Everyone Belongs, inspired by the USCCB’s statement “Open Wide Our Hearts: The Enduring Call to Love, A Pastoral Letter Against Racism,” empowers young readers to reflect on the reality of racism in our society, explore potential solutions, and invite reconciliation and healing. The children’s picture book, illustrated by Kristin Sorra, shares the story of a young boy whose family fled violence in their home country to come to the United States as refugees. The family’s excitement as they move into a new neighborhood is interrupted when someone spray paints a hurtful message on their garage. Everyone Belongs opens the door to conversations with readers this year about what our faith calls us to do, especially today as our country grapples with the realities of racial injustice.

Launched in 2007, the Moonbeam Children’s Book Awards are intended to bring increased recognition to exemplary children’s books and their creators. Loyola Press has received five previous Moonbeam awards since 2016.

For more information about Loyola Press, contact Mandy Lemos at lemos@loyolapress.com.Visit our shop to learn more about the award-winning books.