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Phillip Hoose's "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice" takes the prestigious young people's literature prize.

From staff reports November 19, 2009

An author from Portland won a National Book Award on Wednesday night during ceremonies held in New York City.

Phillip Hoose, 62, won the prestigious award in the category of young people's literature for his book "Claudette Colvin: Twice Toward Justice."

The National Book Foundation's Web site announced that Hoose had won the award, one of the publishing world's highest honors, around 10:15 p.m.

Hoose, who receives a $10,000 cash award, was in New York for the ceremony and could not be reached for comment Wednesday night.

Hoose was among five authors whose work was considered in the category of young people's literature.

He was a finalist for a National Book Award in 2001 in the same category, for "We Were There, Too!: Young People in U.S. History."

Hoose said in an interview last month with the Portland Press Herald that he is proud that his book sheds light on the courage of Claudette Colvin.

Colvin, an African-American, was 15 when she was arrested in Alabama in 1955 for refusing to give her bus seat to a white woman.

The incident happened nine months before the similar and more celebrated case of Rosa Parks. Colvin's arrest and struggles were largely forgotten until Hoose wrote his book.

Hoose planned to go to Wednesday's award ceremony with Colvin, who is now 70 years old and living in New York City.

The National Book Awards were established in 1950 by a collaboration of book publishers and booksellers to recognize excellent writing. Books must be written by U.S. citizens to be eligible.

This year, 193 publishers submitted 1,129 books for consideration. Four panels of judges selected 20 finalists in four writing categories: fiction, nonfiction, poetry and young people's literature.

Hoose has worked for the Nature Conservancy since 1977. He is a graduate of the Yale School of Forestry and Environmental Sciences.

He has written several books and essays, including "Hey Little Ant," which he co-wrote with his daughter, Hannah, as well as a book about high school basketball in Indiana.

He is also a founding member of the Children's Music Network.

More information about Hoose is on his Web site: www.philliphoose.com.