Cathleen Young Honored with a Christopher Award for "Pumpkin War"

The book is one of 11 representing 16 authors and illustrators joining writers, producers and directors of nine feature films & TV/Cable programs in the Awards' 71st Year

Santa Monica, Calif.-based author Cathleen Young received a Christopher Award for The Pumpkin War, (Wendy Lamb Books/Penguin Random House). Written for ages eight and up, the book is one of 11 for adults and young people by 16 authors and illustrators honored as the Awards mark their 71st year. They join the creators of nine winning TV/Cable and feature films also being honored.

The Christophers' motto, “It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness,” is particularly apt in 2020 said Tony Rossi, The Christophers’ Director of Communications. The celebrated authors, illustrators, writers, producers, and directors whose works exemplify this Chinese proverb also “affirm the highest values of the human spirit,” he said.

"The Pumpkin War" is about a girl’s rift with her best friend over their town’s annual pumpkin race leading her to learn lessons about forgiveness, character, and her unhealthy obsession with winning. The race takes place on a lake in hollowed out thousand-pound pumpkins and pits Billie against her pal Sam. A surprise visit from a long-lost relative shakes things up, and Billie begins to see her family, and her bond with Sam, in a new way.

Like Billie, Young grew up fishing on lakes with her father. After writing for magazines and serving a stint as a police reporter, she started writing for television, everything from soap operas to shows like Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman and MacGyver. She has over a dozen television movies to her credit, including the award-winning A Place for Annie. A former recipient of the Humanitas Prize, Young is now the executive director of Humanitas, where she launches up-and-coming television writers.

Young said: "I find great meaning in helping launch the next generation of film and television writers by way of the Humanitas platform. I believe the health of our democracy rests on the nature of the public discourse. Humanitas exists to empower storytellers to break down the walls of hatred and ignorance, and all the ‘isms’ that bring harm to the global community.”

The Christophers, a nonprofit founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, is rooted in the Judeo-Christian tradition of service to God and humanity. The ancient Chinese proverb—“It’s better to light one candle than to curse the darkness”— guides its publishing, radio, and awards programs. More information about The Christophers is available at www.christophers.org.