James McBride (writer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
James McBride
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McBride at the 2013 Texas Book Festival
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| Born | September 11, 1957 New York City, U.S. |
| Occupation | Journalist, musician |
| Education | Oberlin College (BA) Columbia University (MA) |
| Genre | Memoir, screenplay |
| Notable works | The Color of Water The Good Lord Bird (National Book Award, 2013) The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store |
| Notable awards | Anisfield-Wolf Book Award |
| Children | 3 |
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James McBride is a talented American writer and musician. He was born on September 11, 1957. In 2013, he won the National Book Award for his novel The Good Lord Bird.
Contents
Early Life and Family
James McBride grew up in Brooklyn, New York. His father, Rev. Andrew D. McBride, was African-American. He passed away when James was very young.
His mother, Ruth McBride Jordan, was a Jewish immigrant from Poland. She later became a Christian. James was the youngest of 12 children in his family.
A Story of Family
McBride's book, The Color of Water: A Black Man's Tribute to His White Mother, tells his family's story. It shares details about his life and his special relationship with his mother.
He graduated from Oberlin College in 1979. He then earned a journalism degree from Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in 1980.
James McBride's Career
James McBride is known for his amazing books and screenplays. He also has a passion for music.
Famous Books and Movies
His 1995 book, The Color of Water, became a bestseller. It describes his childhood in a large, loving family. His mother was strict but caring. This book was very popular and is read in schools and universities. It has been translated into many languages.
In 2002, McBride published Miracle at St. Anna. This novel is about the African-American 92nd Infantry Division during World War II. The book was later made into a movie in 2008. The film was directed by Spike Lee.
His 2008 novel, Song Yet Sung, tells the story of an enslaved woman. She has dreams about the future. The book shows how different people's lives come together. It was inspired by Harriet Tubman.
In 2012, McBride worked with Spike Lee again. They co-wrote and co-produced the movie Red Hook Summer.
Award-Winning Works
In 2013, his novel The Good Lord Bird was released. This book is about the famous abolitionist John Brown. It won the 2013 National Book Award for fiction.
On September 22, 2016, President Barack Obama gave McBride a special award. It was the 2015 National Humanities Medal. This award recognized his ability to write about race in America. His stories show the strength of American families.
His novel Deacon King Kong was very popular in 2020. It won the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction in 2021. It also received the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for fiction.
In 2023, he released The Heaven & Earth Grocery Store. This novel explores the lives of different people in a town in Pennsylvania. It was named Book of the Year by Amazon and Barnes and Noble. It also won the Kirkus Prize for Fiction.
Music Career
James McBride is also a talented musician. He plays the tenor saxophone. He has toured with jazz legend Little Jimmy Scott. He also has his own band.
He has written songs for famous artists like Anita Baker and Grover Washington Jr.. McBride has also composed music for films and musicals.
Personal Life
James McBride is a special writer-in-residence at New York University. He has three children. He lives in New York City and Lambertville, New Jersey.
Filmography
- Miracle at St. Anna (2008)
- Red Hook Summer (2012)
- The Good Lord Bird (2020)
See also
In Spanish: James McBride para niños
