Freewater is a historical middle-grade novel about two enslaved children’s escape from a plantation and the many ways they find freedom. It received universal acclaim upon release, racking up starred reviews from Kirkus, Publisher’s Weekly, Booklist, and other publications. In 2023, Amina became the first woman to ever receive both the Newbery Medal, for best children’s book, and Coretta Scott King Book Award, which recognizes an African American author of outstanding children’s books. Both prizes are awarded by the American Library Association.

Amina Luqman-Dawson is the Newbery Medal and Coretta Scott King Award-winning and bestselling author of Freewater and the pictorial history book Images of America: African Americans of Petersburg. Her op-eds on race and popular culture have appeared in The Washington Post, The San Francisco Chronicle, and more.  Amina loves using writing to tell stories and to build an understanding of race, culture and community. She has a BA in Political Science from Vassar College and a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley. Amina, her husband, and 14-year-old son, reside in Arlington, VA.

Please note: This AViD event has a special start time of 6:30 PM.

• Admission is free.
• Doors open at 5:30 PM.
• Seating is first-come, first-served.
• Free parking is available:
  • In the Des Moines Public Library parking garage, located on Grand Ave.
  • On the surface lot on the corner of 10th St. and Grand Ave., across from the library.
• At the end of the program, there will be a question and answer period. A book signing will follow.
• Books will be available to purchase before and after the program courtesy of Beaverdale Books.