Jacqueline Woodson won the National Book Award for the book ` ` Brown Girl Dreaming '' After she accepted the award , ` ` Lemony ' '' Jacqueline Woodson 's big win at the National Book Awards on Wednesday was briefly eclipsed by a racially charged joke . author Daniel Handler shared a story . Handler said he told Woodson to write about a black girl who is allergic to cats . Handler later apologized for the story , which many saw as ` ` racist '' and inappropriate .
Jacqueline Woodson won the National Book Award for the book ` ` Brown Girl Dreaming '' After she accepted the award , ` ` Lemony ' '' author Daniel Handler shared a story . Handler said he told Woodson to write about a black girl who is allergic to cats . Handler later apologized for the story , which many saw as ` ` racist '' and inappropriate .