Alice McGill is an American children's writer and professional storyteller. Many of her books have African American protagonists or deal with African American issues. ''Molly Bannaky'', the story of a young British girl in 17th century America who became the grandmother of
Benjamin Banneker, the first black man to publish an almanac, was an
ALA Notable Book American Library Association Notable lists are announced each year in January by various divisions within the American Library Association (ALA). There are six lists, part of the larger ALA awards structure.
* ''ALA Notable Books for Adults'' (est ...
and winner of the 2000
IRA Picture Book Award and the 2000
Jane Addams Award
The Jane Addams Children's Book Award is given annually to a children's book published the preceding year that advances the causes of peace and social equality. The awards have been presented annually since 1953. They were previously given joint ...
.
Biography
McGill was born in the small rural town of
Scotland Neck, North Carolina, where she attended a four-room school. She was strongly influenced by her parents, both of whom were readers and storytellers. She was awarded a four-year scholarship to
Elizabeth City State Teacher's College, where she earned a degree in elementary education. She taught school for many years before becoming a full-time, traveling storyteller.
Her storytelling research has taken her to 41 states and Canada, as well as the West Indies and Africa, and she brings her repertoire of American, African, and African American folklore and folk traditions to libraries, classrooms and other venues around the country. One of her most well-known performances re-creates the life of
Sojourner Truth
Sojourner Truth (; born Isabella Baumfree; November 26, 1883) was an American abolitionist of New York Dutch heritage and a women's rights activist. Truth was born into slavery in Swartekill, New York, but escaped with her infant daughter to f ...
; the story is based on Truth’s own writings on abolition, women’s rights, motherhood and other topics.
McGill is married and lives in
Columbia, Maryland.
Selected works
* ''The Griots' Cookbook'' (1985)
* ''Molly Bannaky''
* ''Miles' Song''
* "Sure As Sunrise: Stories of Bruh Rabbit and his Walkin' Talkin' Friends"
* ''In the Hollow of Your Hand: Slave Lullabies''
* ''Here We Go Round''
External links
*
Alice McGill biography
Houghton Mifflin Books/Alice McGill
*
{{DEFAULTSORT:McGill, Alice
American children's writers
American storytellers
Women storytellers
Elizabeth City State University alumni
Writers from North Carolina
Writers from Maryland
Year of birth missing (living people)
Living people
People from Columbia, Maryland
People from Scotland Neck, North Carolina
Earwig Music artists