Crystal Wilkinson’s Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts and Brittany J. Thurman’s Forever and Always are representing Kentucky at the 2024 National Book Festival in Washington, D.C.

The Kentucky Center for Book has selected one youth book and one adult book by Kentucky authors to represent the state at the 2024 National Book Festival: Crystal Wilkinson’s Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts: Stories and Recipes from Five Generations of Black Country Cooks(Clarkson Potter) and Brittany J. Thurman’s Forever and Always(Greenwillow Books).

As the keeper of her family’s stories and treasured dishes, Wilkinson shares her inheritance in Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts. She found their stories in her apron pockets, floating inside the steam of hot mustard greens and tucked into the sweet scent of clove and cinnamon in her kitchen. Part memoir, part cookbook, Praisesong for the Kitchen Ghosts weaves those stories together with recipes, family photos, and a lyrical imagination to present a culinary portrait of a family that has lived and worked the earth of the mountains for over a century.

Brittany J. Thurman’s poetic text deftly explores the day-to-day life of a young Black child and her family—their joys and their fears—with a rhythm and musicality perfect for reading aloud. Shamar Knight-Justice’s expressive artwork sings with color, texture, and warmth. Forever and Always respects the deep emotions of young readers while offering comfort and reassurance to any child waiting for a loved one to come home. For readers of Nigel and the Moon, The Year We Learned to Fly, and Saturday.

Both titles will be part of the National Center for the Book’s Great Reads from Great Places program. Great Reads from Great Places features books and authors representing the literary heritage of all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and Northern Marianas. For over 20 years this program has included a highlighted youth title from each affiliate center. In 2022, “Great Reads from Great Places” began including titles for adults for the first time.

This year’s National Book Festival on Aug. 24 will be held in-person in Washington, D.C., but will include many livestreamed and recorded virtual programs celebrating books and authors.