Dawn Raffel wins Christopher for "Strange Case of Dr. Couney"

Hoboken, N.J.-based author Dawn Raffel will receive a Christopher Award for The Strange Case of Dr. Couney: How a Mysterious European Showman Saved Thousands of American Babies, (Blue Rider Press/Penguin Random House). It is one of 11 books to be honored on May 23rd at the 70th annual Christopher Awards in New York. The Christophers will also recognize creators of 9 feature films and TV/Cable programs.

The book tells the tale of Dr. Martin Couney who revolutionized neonatal care more than 100 years ago, saving 7,000 babies. His story is a kaleidoscopic ride through entrepreneurship, enlightened pediatric care, and the culture of world’s fairs in the day. Drawing on historical documents, original reportage, and interviews with surviving patients, Raffel tells the eccentric story of Couney’s mysterious carnival career, his larger-than-life personality, and his unprecedented success as the savior of fragile, tiny babies.

Raffel is a journalist, memoirist, and short story writer whose work has been widely anthologized. A longtime magazine editor, she served as Executive Articles Editor at O, The Oprah Magazine. She teaches creative writing at Columbia University and at Summer Literary Seminars (in Tblisi in the Georgian Republic this summer). She also works as an independent editor.

The Christopher Awards were created in 1949 to celebrate authors, illustrators, writers, producers and directors whose work “affirms the highest values of the human spirit.” A nonprofit organization founded in 1945 by Maryknoll Father James Keller, it 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. Visit www.christophers.org for more information.