Buffalo, NY – The American Indian Library Association (AILA) recently selected Eric Gansworth’s newest book, Apple: Skin to the Core, for its 2022 Youth Literature Award in the young adult category. Conferred biennially, the award identifies and honors the very best writing and illustrations by Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America, whose works present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity.
Gansworth is a professor of English and creative writing at Canisius University, and a nationally recognized, award-winning writer, visual artist and playwright. His works range from poetry and painting, to novels and collaborative multimedia theater performances.
In his memoir, Apple: Skin to the Core, Gansworth reflects on his life growing up in an Onondaga family but living among the Tuscaroras, and the history of Native peoples in the U.S. He shares personal stories about the damaging effects of government boarding schools; of a boy who watched his siblings leave and return only to leave again; and of a young man fighting to be an artist in multiple worlds. In sharing his journey, Gansworth addresses deeply offensive racial stereotypes including “apple,” a slur common in Native communities, which means “red on the outside and white on the inside.”
Apple: Skin to the Core is Gansworth’s 12th book and third for young adults. The American Library Association selected Apple for its Michael L. Printz Honor in Young Adult Literature, and the National Book Foundation named Apple to its National Book Award Longlist for Young People’s Literature. Time Magazine also selected it as one of the 10 Best YA and Children’s Books of 2020.
The American Indian Library Association is an affiliate of the American Library Association. The organization is committed to addressing the library-related needs of American Indians and Alaska Natives through the development of programs that improve cultural and information services in school, public and research libraries on reservations. In addition, the AILA works to disseminate information about Indian cultures, languages, and values to the library community.
Canisius University is one of 27 Jesuit colleges in the nation and the premier private college in Western New York. Canisius prepares leaders – intelligent, caring, faithful individuals – able to pursue and promote excellence in their professions, their communities and their service to humanity.
