Kevin Fedarko Honored with Carnegie Medal for Riveting Grand Canyon Exploration
Kevin Fedarko, a celebrated author from Flagstaff, has been awarded the prestigious Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Nonfiction by the American Library Association. His acclaimed work, “A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon,” has captivated readers with its vivid storytelling and daring adventure.
In “A Walk in the Park,” Fedarko recounts his ambitious 2016 journey across the Grand Canyon, covering a grueling 750 miles from Lees Ferry to the Grand Wash Cliffs, a route with no defined trail. His expedition, undertaken with National Geographic photographer Pete McBride, tested their limits and offered a glimpse into the park’s hidden landscapes, its Native American heritage, and the environmental challenges it faces.
Allison Escoto, chair of the selection committee, remarked, “Kevin Fedarko’s unforgettable journey through the otherworldly depths of the Grand Canyon shows us the triumphs and pitfalls of exploration and illuminates the many vital lessons we can all learn from our precious natural world.”
Fedarko is also the author of “The Emerald Mile,” a 2014 narrative of the fastest boat ride through the Grand Canyon during the Colorado River flood in 1983. Both works exemplify his ability to intertwine adventure with historical and environmental insights.
Other notable mentions in the nonfiction category included Adam Higginbotham’s “Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space” and Emily Nussbaum’s “Cue the Sun! The Invention of Reality TV.” In fiction, Percival Everett’s “James,” a retelling of “The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn” from the vantage of Jim, Huck Finn’s enslaved companion, took top honors.
For more on Fedarko’s incredible journey, visit this link.
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