By SHANNON HAUGLAND
Sentinel Staff Writer
“Whispering Alaska,” by local writer Brendan Jones, has been selected for a national young adult fiction award in recognition of its environmental stewardship message.
The Nature Generation Green Earth Book Awards were announced recently, and Jones has been invited to take part Wednesday in a virtual ceremony originating at Salisbury University in Maryland.
“Whispering Alaska,” by Brendan Jones and illustrated by Sitka artist Rebecca Poulson, was published in 2021 by Delacorte BFYR, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books.
Brendan Jones pulls his wife, Rachel DiNardo, and daughter Quinn on a sled on Swan Lake Sunday. (Sentinel Photo by James Poulson)
It is one of five books honored by the nonprofit Nature Generation a Green Earth award in the Young Adult Fiction category. The targeted age group is “middle grade readers.” The awards are intended to honor authors and illustrators whose books “best convey the message of environmental stewardship and inspire youth toward a deeper appreciation for their natural environment.”
“Whispering Alaska” tells the story of twin sisters who move from Pennsylvania to a small town in Southeast Alaska after their mother has died. In the story they become involved in a community debate over saving old growth trees.
“The 2022 winning and honor books represent the best in children’s literature,” said Nature Generation President Amy Morasco. “We are so excited to be able to shine a light on our award-winning books and authors in an online forum where anyone from around the world can participate.”
Jones said he was surprised and honored to have been selected for the award. His publisher, Random House, submitted the book to be considered.
“After first coming to Alaska 25 years ago it’s always been important to me to recognize and honor the Tongass National Forest and old growth trees,” Jones said. “What an absolute pleasure this award recognizes that sentiment.”
Other awards given were for Picture Book, Children’s Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Children’s Non-Fiction, and Young Adult Non-Fiction.
At the ceremony, each of the authors will be invited to share their passion for the environment and what winning the Green Earth award means to them.
Jones, 44, moved to Sitka in 1997 after his freshman year at Columbia University and worked at the Sheldon Jackson College hatchery, and the Daily Sitka Sentinel. He returned to school after a year, and earned degrees from Columbia and Oxford University. He has lived in Sitka off and on over the years and permanently since 2011. During that time he also won a Fulbright Scholar grant, and spent a year in Siberia with his family studying the Russian American Company.
His first book, “The Alaskan Laundry,” won the 2017 Alaskana prize and was recognized by Oprah’s Book Club. “Whispering Alaska” received a starred review from Booklist. Jones said he’s pleased that the book has not only garnered honors, but has been well-received by schools around the U.S.
Blatchley Middle School language arts teacher Alexander Allison was the first educator in the country to teach the book in his class, and Random House is planning a tour for Jones to do readings and teach from the book in Philadelphia, New York City and Washington, D.C.
Jones was also pleased to learn over the summer that the book was popular at gift shops aboard cruise ships large and small.
“A lot of these passengers are older people looking for gifts for their kids, people who have no notion that thousand-year-old trees grow in Alaska and North America,” he said.
Jones thanked the numerous Sitka residents who helped him learn aspects of Tlingit culture, environmental issues and the history of logging in the Tongass National Forest.
Copies of the book are available at Sitka Public Library and Old Harbor Books.
Jones also has an upcoming nonfiction book Americans in Siberia, about his year in Russia with his family. Brendan and his wife Rachel have three daughters, Haley Marie, Kiera-Lee and Quinn.
The virtual Green Earth Book Award celebration is free online and will start at 3 p.m. Alaska time. Those wanting to attend can register at salisbury.universitytickets.com.
