From Forgotten to Freewater: Amina Luqman-Dawson on the Story Schools Don’t Teach

Amina Luqman-Dawson is an award-winning author whose work explores race, culture, and community through powerful storytelling. Her debut novel, Freewater, became a New York Times Bestseller and won both the John Newbery Medal and the Coretta Scott King Award, solidifying her place as a leading voice in children's literature.With a background in political science from Vassar College and a Master of Public Policy from UC Berkeley, Amina first used her writing to advocate for social change, publishing op-eds, magazine articles, travel writing, and book reviews. She also authored Images of America: African Americans of Petersburg, a pictorial history book that preserves the legacy of Black communities in Virginia.Her journey as an author was shaped by a lifelong love of words, a passion for research, and the experience of reading to her son—rekindling the magic of storytelling. Freewater brings to life the hidden history of maroon communities, celebrating resistance, survival, and the unbreakable spirit of those who sought freedom.Amina resides in Arlington, VA, with her husband and son, continuing to write stories that inspire and illuminate untold histories.visit her website: https://www.aminaluqman-dawson.com/