2024 CDA Book Award Winners
The recipients are:
The CDA Book Awards Committee led by Chair Jocelyn Lance has named the winners:
AWARD
Title:
The Confidante
Author:
Christopher C. Gorham
About
In The Confidante, Christopher C. Gorham uncovers the astonishing life of Anna Rosenberg—FDR’s secret weapon in World War II and beyond. A Hungarian immigrant with only a high school education, Rosenberg advised presidents, shaped the G.I. Bill, safeguarded the Manhattan Project, and rose to the highest military post ever held by a woman. With grit, charm, and political savvy, she moved through corridors of power, often unrecognized. This compelling biography restores Rosenberg to her rightful place in history, shedding light on how gender, ethnicity, and behind-the-scenes influence can obscure monumental contributions to America’s greatest moments.
CITATION
Title:
Master Slave Husband Wife
Author:
Ilyon Woo
About
In 1848, amid a wave of global revolutions, an enslaved couple in Georgia pulled off one of the most daring escapes in American history. Disguised as master and slave, Ellen and William Craft traveled openly by train, steamboat, and carriage over 1,000 miles to freedom. Their remarkable journey captured national attention as they later toured New England, rallying crowds alongside leading abolitionists. But freedom remained elusive. When the Fugitive Slave Act of 1850 put them at risk once again, they fled the country. Their story—of love, courage, and defiance—remains a powerful testament to the fight for freedom and human dignity.
YOUNG READER
Title:
Josephine and Her Dishwashing Machine
Author:
Kate Hannigan
Illustrator:
Sarah Green
About
Tired of chipped dishes and time-consuming chores, Josephine Cochrane set out to solve the problem the modern way—by inventing a machine to do it. Driven by frustration and fueled by ingenuity, she designed and built the first practical dishwasher, earning a government patent and changing kitchens forever. Through trial, error, and determination, Josephine turned a messy task into a national innovation, with her dishwashers soon bubbling across America. Her story is a lively celebration of creativity, grit, and one woman’s refusal to accept that inventing was just for men—proving instead that great ideas can start in any kitchen.