Alicia D. Williams facts for kids

Alicia Diane Williams (born September 26, 1970) is an American author and teacher. She is known for writing amazing books for young readers. Her first novel, Genesis Begins Again, came out in 2019. It won many awards, like a Newbery Honor and the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Talent. It was also a finalist for other big awards.

Growing Up and Education

Alicia D. Williams grew up in Detroit, Michigan. After high school, she went to the University of Kentucky. She studied African American Studies there and got her degree in 1994.

After college, Alicia moved to New York City. She trained in theater at the American Musical and Dramatic Academy. In New York, she acted in plays, commercials, and even did stand-up comedy. Later, she moved back to Detroit. She then worked as a flight attendant and lived in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 1999, Alicia had a daughter named Nailah. She went back to working in theater. She also started writing "one-woman historical shows."

Becoming a Writer

In 2009, Alicia decided she wanted to write a book. She started going to writing conferences to learn more. In 2012, she began graduate school at Hamline University.

After finishing school, she kept working on her book. She also worked as a Teaching Artist in Charlotte, North Carolina. In 2015, Alicia finished her book, Genesis Begins Again. It was published in January 2019.

Awards for Genesis Begins Again

Critics really liked Williams' first book. It won a Newbery Honor in 2020. This is a very important award for children's literature. It also won the Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe Award for New Talent.

The novel was also a finalist for the William C. Morris Award. It was also a finalist for the Kirkus Prize for Young Readers Literature. These awards show how special her first book was.

Other Books by Alicia D. Williams

Alicia D. Williams has written other great books too. Her 2021 book is called Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress. This book won the Jane Addams Children's Book Award.

Her 2024 book, Mid-Air, was also recognized. It was longlisted for the National Book Award for Young People's Literature. This shows her continued success in writing for young people.

Works

• Genesis Begins Again (2019)
• Shirley Chisholm Dared: The Story of the First Black Woman in Congress (2021)
• Mid-Air (2024)