Jael Richardson facts for kids
Jael Ealey Richardson is a Canadian writer and broadcaster. She is known for her book The Stone Thrower. This book is about her father, Chuck Ealey, who was a football player. The book was first for adults in 2012. Later, it became a children's book with pictures in 2015.
She also wrote a play called my upside down black face. Parts of this play were printed in a book called T-Dot Griots. This book shares stories from Black storytellers in Toronto.
Jael studied at the University of Guelph. She earned a special degree called an MFA. She also helped start a yearly book festival in Brampton, Ontario. It's called the Festival of Literary Diversity. Jael has also worked as a writer in residence for the Toronto District School Board. This means she helped and taught young writers.
You might hear Jael on CBC Radio One. She often talks about books on the show Q. She has even been a guest host for Q. She also helped host the Scotiabank Giller Prize galas in 2017 and 2018. This event celebrates great Canadian books.
Her first novel, Gutter Child, came out in 2021. This book was chosen as a finalist for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award. It was also part of a new program called WT Amplified Voices. This program helps share books by BIPOC authors that came out during the pandemic. Gutter Child was also nominated for the White Pine Award in 2022. Audible also featured Jael Richardson in their series about Canadian writers.
Awards and Recognition
Jael Ealey Richardson's book Gutter Child has received special attention:
- In 2021, Gutter Child was nominated for the Forest of Reading's White Pine Award.
- In 2022, Gutter Child was a finalist for the Amazon.ca First Novel Award.
