Arts Victor Landa February 4, 2019

Latina author Meg Medina on prestigious Newbery Medal: ‘Doesn’t feel like it could possibly be me’

Meg Medina won the John Newbery Medal, awarded to the most distinguished American children's book of the year.

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Local author Meg Medina won the John Newbery Medal, awarded to the most distinguished American children’s book of the year, on Monday for her novel “Merci Suárez Changes Gears.”

When she got the call that she had won, Medina couldn’t quite believe it.

“Doesn’t feel real yet, so far,” Medina admitted.

She spoke, in a phone interview with 8News from her Richmond home, about her admiration of past Newbery winners and detailed what the honor means to her.

READ MORE 

Subscribe today!

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Must Read

The worst Latino racial slur is still a mystery for some
Victor Landa February 13, 2019

Many people of Mexican descent can vividly describe the moment they heard the Latino racial slur “beaner.” As a child or a young adult, it stung. To them, it said: […]

Denver Public Schools threatened to report striking teachers to immigration
Victor Landa January 25, 2019

DENVER — Denver Public Schools apologized Thursday for telling teachers working on immigration visas that they would be reported to immigration officials if they went on strike. The letter to […]

Sandra Cisneros to receive PEN/Nabokov Award for international literature
Victor Landa February 5, 2019

Sandra Cisneros, the Mexican American novelist whose books “The House on Mango Street” and “Woman Hollering Creek” are widely considered contemporary classics of American literature, has won the PEN/Nabokov Award for […]

Latino voting bloc could be the second most important in 2020
Victor Landa

The Hispanic population’s exponential growth in the U.S. that has long been expected, is now fully upon the country. Totaling an approximate 58 million people, the Latino community has become one of the […]

In Julián Castro’s presidential bid, Latinos see one of their own, defying stereotypes
Victor Landa January 28, 2019

SAN ANTONIO — Musician Juan Tejeda sees something very familiar in Democratic presidential candidate Julián Castro. “He is very indigenous and Chicano,” said Tejeda, a conjuntoaccordionist who has roots in the […]

Latino voters will make up largest minority group by 2020 election, study says
Victor Landa February 4, 2019

By the 2020 presidential election Latino voters will make up the largest share of non-white eligible voters, according to a Pew Research Center study published Wednesday (Jan. 30). The study takes an […]

Recipe: Poblano Potatoes, Papas con Rajas
Victor Landa January 30, 2019

Papas Con Rajas, Poblano Potatoes, are creamy because of the waxy potatoes and lush because, well, roasted chiles Poblanos are always lush.  This recipe, brings together the traditions of Peru […]

Kushner floats deal of permanent protections for 1.8 million dreamers, LULAC chief says
Victor Landa January 25, 2019

WASHINGTON – Top White House adviser Jared Kushner told members of Latino advocacy organizations on Thursday that President Donald Trump was willing to give 1.8 million Dreamers permanent protections from deportation […]