The annual announcement of the American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards is the biggest event of the year in the world of children's publishing—22 separate awards for books and media this year— all chosen by librarians. And who knows children's literature better than librarians? The Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, Coretta Scott King, and other ALA Youth Media Awards are some of the most prestigious awards an author or illustrator can aspire to.
The 2025 Youth Media Awards were announced Monday, January 27, during ALA’s LibLearnX conference in Phoenix.
Enjoy exploring this collection of wonderful titles at your library or local book store. There's something for every interest and taste.
Alex Awards
The Alex Awards are given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18. The award is sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust and administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of ALA. Learn more about the Alex Awards.
Beautiful People: My Thirteen Truths about Disability, by Melissa Blake, published by Hachette Go, an imprint of Hachette Books
Big Jim and the White Boy: An American Classic Reimagined, by David F. Walker, illustrated by Marcus Kwame Anderson, published by Ten Speed Graphic, an imprint of the Crown Publishing Group, a division of Penguin Random House
Daughters of Shandong, by Eve J. Chung, published by Berkley, an imprint of Penguin Random House
The Dead Cat Tail Assassins, by P. Djèlí Clark, published by Tordotcom, an imprint of Tor Publishing Group, a division of Macmillan
How to Solve Your Own Murder, by Kristen Perrin, published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House
I Feel Awful, Thanks, by Lara Pickle, published by Oni-Lion Forge Publishing Group
I Was a Teenage Slasher, by Stephen Graham Jones, published by Saga Press, an imprint of Simon & Schuster
The Witch of Colchis, by Rosie Hewlett, published by Sourcebooks Landmark, an imprint of Sourcebooks
The Witchstone, by Henry H. Neff, published by Blackstone Publishing
Woman, Life, Freedom, created by Marjane Satrapi, translated by Una Dimitrijević, published by Seven Stories Press
Batchelder (Mildred L. Batchelder Award)
This award, established in Mildred L. Batchelder's honor in 1966, is a citation awarded to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country, and subsequently translated into English and published in the United States. The award is administered by ALSC. Learn more about the Batchelder Award.
Award Winner: Yonder, an imprint of Restless Books for Young Readers, is the winner of the 2025 Mildred L. Batchelder Award for John the Skeleton. Originally published in Estonian in 2024 as Luukere Juani juhtumised, the book was written by Triinu Laan, illustrated by Marja-Liisa Plats and translated by Adam Cullen.
John the Skeleton accompanies Gram and Gramps to the grocery store, bathes and sleds with the grandchildren, and lives in the summer kitchen. Vignettes seamlessly present a window to Estonian culture, while saunas, pixies, and linden-blossom tea (pähnähäitsmäi: pah-nah-hites-met-sigh-y) lend cultural authenticity to a child-friendly, medically-accurate, and humorous text.
Honor Books:
- Home, published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers;
- Johnny, the Sea, and Me, published by Enchanted Lion Books;
- Mr.Lepron’s Mystery Soup, published by Candlewick Studio an imprint of CandlewickPress;
- A Sleepless Night, published by Transit Children’s Editions.
Caldecott (Randolph Caldecott Medal)
The Randolph Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded annually by ALSC to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Learn more about the Caldecott Medal.
Medal Winner: Chooch Helped, illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz, written by Andrea L. Rogers and published by Levine Querido.
Sissy’s brother, Chooch, loves to “help.” However, his contributions often cause frustrations. Chooch Helped is a touching depiction of sibling relationships, family and the importance of making mistakes. Collaged textiles, watercolor and Indigenous motifs celebrate Cherokee culture and language in a universal story all families can see themselves in.
Honor Books:
- Home in a Lunchbox, illustrated and written by Cherry Mo and published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House
- My Daddy Is a Cowboy, illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, written by Stephanie Seals and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS
- Noodles on a Bicycle, illustrated by Gracey Zhang, written by Kyo Maclear, and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House
- Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains, illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, written by Anita Yasuda and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Children's Literacy Legacy Award
Administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA, the Children’s Literature Legacy Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children through books that demonstrate integrity and respect for all children’s lives and experiences. Learn more about the Children's Literacy Legacy Award.
Carole Boston Weatherford is the winner of the 2025 Children's Literature Legacy Award honoring an author or illustrator, published in the United States, whose books have made a significant and lasting contribution to literature for children.
Some of Weatherford's award-winning works include "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre," which won the Coretta Scott King Author Award in 2022, and "BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom," recipient of the Newbery Medal Honor in 2021. In addition, Weatherford has received multiple NAACP Image Awards and Coretta Scott King Honors. Weatherford's books primarily focus on African American history and culture, using poetry and prose to bring forgotten stories to life. Her work spans from jazz and civil rights to lesser-known historical events, consistently championing diversity and social justice.
Coretta Scott King (Author) Award
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award is sponsored by ALA's Coretta Scott King Book Awards Round Table (CSKBART). Learn more about the CSK Author Award.
Medal Winner: Twenty-four Seconds from Now..., written by Jason Reynolds, published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Events roll backward in varying 24 increments of time in this well-crafted, sweet and hilarious love story between two Black teens about to take a huge first step in their relationship. Reynolds’ authentic Black love story told in the believable voice of Neon will pull at your heartstrings and leave the reader wanting more.
Honor Books:
- Black Girl You Are Atlas, by Renée Watson, illustrated by Ekua Holmes and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
- Black Star, by Kwame Alexander, and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group Inc.
- One Big Open Sky, by Lesa Cline-Ransome, and published by Holiday House.
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Award
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award is sponsored by CSKBART. Learn more about the CSK Illustrator Award.
Medal Winner: My Daddy is a Cowboy, illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.
In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery and pride. With vibrant illustrations from award-winning artist C.G. Esperanza, this beautiful picture book is a celebration of Black joy.
Honor Books:
Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, illustrated by Ekua Holmes, written by Coretta Scott King with the Reverend Dr. Barbara Reynolds and published by Godwin Books, an imprint of Henry Holt and Company.
Everywhere Beauty is Harlem: The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCarava, illustrated by E.B. Lewis, written by Gary Golio and published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers.
Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller, illustrated by April Harrison, written by Breanna J. McDaniel and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award
The John Steptoe New Talent Award is established to affirm new talent and to offer visibility to excellence in writing and/or illustration which otherwise might be formally unacknowledged within a given year within the structure of the two awards given annually by the Coretta Scott King Book Awards Committee. The award is sponsored by CSKBART. Learn more about the CSK/John Steptoe New Talent Award.
Author Award: Craig Kofi Farmer, author of Kwame Crashes the Underworld.
Illustrator Award: Jamiel Law, illustrator of Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin.
Coretta Scott King - Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement
The annual award is presented in even years to an African American author, illustrator or author/illustrator for a body of their published books for children and/or young adults, and who has made a significant and lasting literary contribution. In odd years, the award is presented to a practitioner for substantial contributions through active engagement with youth using award-winning African American literature for children and/or young adults, via implementation of reading and reading related activities/programs. The award is sponsored by CSKBART. Learn more about the CSK-Virginia Hamilton Award.
Award Winner: Carolyn L. Garnes
“Garnes was instrumental in taking the CSK Books Awards Task Force from an independent entity to being a part of ALA. Because of her work, CSKBART celebrated its 55th anniversary in 2024,” said Award Committee Chair Dr. Emma K. McNamara.
Garnes has spent over 30 years as a practitioner championing books for Black children as a public and school library director and as the founder of the nonprofit Aunt Lil’s Reading Room. She has worked to ensure that librarianship is a welcoming space for people regardless of their race and class.
Edwards (Margaret A. Edwards Award)
The Margaret A. Edwards Award, established in 1988, honors an author, as well as a specific body of his or her work, for significant and lasting contribution to young adult literature. The annual award is administered by YALSA and sponsored by School Library Journal. Learn more about the Edwards Award.
Award Winner: Tiffany D. Jackson
Tiffany D. Jackson is the recipient of the 2025 Margaret A. Edwards Award, honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens for “Allegedly,” “The Awakening of Malcolm X” (co-written with Ilyasah Shabazz), “Grown,” “Let Me Hear a Rhyme,” “The Long Walk” (a short story from the collaborative novel “Blackout”), “Monday’s Not Coming,” and “White Smoke.”
Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing is emotional, authentic and relatable. Her narratives often blend gripping mysteries with powerful social commentary. In “Grown” a girl becomes entangled with a predatory superstar who is found dead. “White Smoke” modernizes the haunted house story through the lens of gentrification and mental illness. In “Allegedly” a teen struggles to reclaim her life while uncovering the truth about a crime.
Jackson’s books shed light on underrepresented voices, making her characters memorable. In “Let Me Hear a Rhyme,” teens honor their deceased friend by turning him into a rap sensation. In “Monday’s Not Coming,” a young girl goes missing and only her best friend notices. “The Awakening of Malcolm X,” delves into Malcolm X's transformative years in prison. “The Long Walk,” is a short story that looks at young love as two teens confront their unresolved feelings on a walk.
Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award
Administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA, the Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award is given to the producer of the most distinguished digital media for an early learning audience produced in the United States during the preceding year. Learn more about the Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award.
Medal Winner: Carl the Collector.produced by Fuzzytown Productions and Spiffy Pictures.
Carl is a thoughtful raccoon with autism, whose unique collections and tight-knit group of friends help him explore his world and navigate everyday challenges. This relatable PBS series, created by author-illustrator Zachariah OHora and neurodiverse artists and performers, offers authentic social-emotional learning that will resonate with all young viewers.
Honor Titles:
- Lyla in the Loop, produced by Mighty Picnic and Pipeline Studios, airing on PBS.
- The Plate Show, produced by The WNET Group and PRX.
Geisel (Theodor Seuss Geisel Award)
The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year. Winners are recognized for their literary and artistic achievements that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading. ALSC administers the award. Learn more about the Geisel Award.
Award Winner: Vacation, written by Ame Dyckman, illustrated by Mark Teague, and published by Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Shuster Children’s Publishing Division.
Bat, Cat and Rat - three friends - decide they need a vacation. First, they need to earn money, and then they need to decide where to go. When they can’t agree, Bat comes up with the best solution of all: a “staycation.”
In simple but sophisticated illustrations, this easy reader tells an engaging story with some complex words and repetitive text. Young children will find this hilarious story is a favorite to read again and again.
Honor Books:
- Fox versus Fox, written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor and published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins.
- Towed by Toad, written and illustrated by Jashar Awan and published by Tundra Books, an imprint of Tundra Book Group, a division of Penguin Random House of Canada Limited.
Morris (William C. Morris Award)
The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, first awarded in 2009, honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature. The award is administered by YALSA. Learn more about the Morris Award.
Award Winner: Not Like Other Girls, written by Meredith Adamo and published by Bloomsbury YA, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing.
Award Finalists:
- Aisle Nine, written by Ian X. Cho, published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishing
- Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear, written by Robin Wasley, published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing
- Shut Up, This Is Serious, written by Carolina Ixta, published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of Harper Collins Publishers
- The Wilderness of Girls, written by Madeline Claire Franklin, published by Zando Young Readers, an imprint of Zando
Newbery (John Newbery Medal)
The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by ALSC to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. Learn more about the Newbery Award.
Medal Winner: The First State of Being, written by Erin Entrada Kelly, published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
In this masterful blend of science and historical fiction, Kelly captures the essence of 1999 from the music and malls to the collective uncertainty of Y2K. Twelve-year-old Michael and his babysitter Gibby meet Ridge, who is from the future. Ridge teaches them that with every breath they take they’re contributing to history.
Honor Books:
- Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House
- Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All, written and illustrated by Chanel Miller and published by Philomel, an imprint of Penguin Random House
- One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome and published by Holiday House
- The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy, A Borzoi Book, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House
Odyssey Award
The Odyssey Award is given to the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States. The award is jointly given and administered by ALSC and YALSA and is sponsored by Booklist. Learn more about the Odyssey Award.
Award Winner Children: Dreamscape Audio, producer of the audiobook A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring True Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen.
Written by Erin Frankel, narrated by Luis Carlos de La Lombana, and produced by Andy T. Jones for Dreamscape Audio, A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring True Story of Chef José Andrés and the World Central Kitchen is a moving biography of Chef José Andrés, brilliantly brought to life by detailed sound effects, music, and lyrical Castilian accented narration. The audio transports listeners to the World Central Kitchen, where they can almost taste the paella as it sizzles. This story of a renowned humanitarian will inspire all.
Award Winner Young Adult: HarperAudio, producer of the audiobook How the Boogeyman Became a Poet.
Written and narrated by Tony Keith Jr. and produced by Abigail Marks for HarperAudio, How the Boogeyman Became a Poet is a memoir in verse that tells a coming-of-age story of the author as a closeted, gay, Black teen. As Keith details his life in a rhythmic narration, subtle background noise adds texture and depth. Listeners witness Keith overcoming the adversities of racism and homophobia to experience the joys of first loves and self-discovery.
Honor Audiobooks:
Black Girl You Are Atlas, written and narrated by Renée Watson and produced by Brian Ramcharan for Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Dispatches from Parts Unknown, written by Bryan Bliss, narrated by Joy Nash, and produced by Almeda Beynon for HarperAudio, an imprint of HarperCollins.
Girls Like Her, written by Melanie Sumrow, narrated by Melanie Sumrow and January LaVoy, and produced by Abigail Marks for HarperAudio, an imprint of HarperCollins.
You Are Brave, written by Margaret O’Hair and Sofia Sanchez, narrated by Sofia Sanchez, and produced by Paul Gagne and John Pels for Scholastic Audio, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Printz (Michael L. Printz Award)
The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. It is named for a Topeka, Kansas, school librarian who was a long-time active member of YALSA. The award is administered by YALSA and sponsored by Booklist, a publication of ALA. Learn more about the Printz Award.
Award Winner: Brownstone, written by Samuel Teer, illustrated by Mar Julia and co-published by Versify and HarperAlley, imprints of HarperCollins Publishers,
In 1995, 14-year-old Almudena’s mother wants to fulfill a lifelong dancing dream in Europe, which means Almudena must spend the summer with her father whom she has never met as he restores a historic brownstone. Almudena learns more about her Guatemalan identity, herself and the importance of community. Evocative graphic-novel illustrations elevate this layered, character-driven, fish out of water story of found family.
Honor Books:
- Bright Red Fruit, written by Safia Elhillo and published by Make Me a World, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House
- Compound Fracture, written by Andrew Joseph White and published by Peachtree Teen, an imprint of Peachtree Publishing Company Inc.
- The Deep Dark, written by Molly Knox Ostertag and published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
- Road Home, written by Rex Ogle, and published by Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton & Company
Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award
The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate, ALSC, and YALSA. Learn more about the Pura Belpré Award.
Award Winner: Lola, written by Karla Arenas Valenti and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, a division of Penguin Random House.
Lola is the gripping story of a tween girl living in published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children's Books, a division of Penguin Random House.modern-day Mexico City, who embarks on a magical adventure in hopes to save her little brother. With surprising twists up to the end, Lola enters the enchanting world of Floresta with the guidance of chaneques, fantastical beings who live in her backyard garden.
Honor Books:
- Cruzita and the Mariacheros, written by Ashley Granillo and published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group Inc.
- Ultraviolet, written by Aida Salazar and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award
The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by REFORMA, ALSC, and YALSA. Learn more about the Pura Belpré Award.
Award Winner: Shut Up, This Is Serious, written by Carolina Ixta and published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Shut Up, This Is Serious is a captivating, contemporary story of a real urban teen experience. It explores the intersections of cultural differences between generations, family dynamics and obligations, mental health, racism, colorism, sexism, teen pregnancy, religion and embracing heritage while staying true to yourself.
Honor Books:
- Libertad, written by Bessie Flores Zaldívar and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
- Wild Dreamers, written by Margarita Engle and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.
Pura Belpré Youth Illustration Award
The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at New York Public Library. The Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented annually to a Latino/Latina illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. It is co-sponsored by REFORMA, ALSC, and YALSA. Learn more about the Pura Belpré Award.
Winner:The Dream Catcher, illustrated by Marcelo Verdad, published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group Inc.
The Dream Catcher is a story about the different types of dreams in this world, including Miguelito’s special dream of raising funds to buy a plane by selling dream catchers and coconuts with his grandfather. The book’s mixed-media illustrations reflect an authentic experience of different life circumstances, while also exhibiting the hope that dreaming keeps alive.
Honor Books:
- Abuelo, the Sea, and Me, illustrated by Tatiana Gardel, written by Ismée Williams and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.
- A Maleta Full of Treasures, illustrated by Juana Medina, written by Natalia Sylvester and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Schneider Family Book Award
The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences. The award is donated by Dr. Katherine Schneider. Three annual awards are presented for the best Teen, Middle School, and Children’s Book. ALA administers the Awards, and each recipient receives $5000 and a framed plaque. Learn more about the Schneider Family Book Award.
Young Children Winner: A Little Like Magic, written and illustrated by Sarah Kurpiel and published by Rocky Pond Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Ice festivals welcome guests to explore the beauty of sculptures, but the narrator is unsure. She nervously navigates this new setting in her wheelchair. After leaving, she discovers that she lost her horse figurine somewhere in the crowd. She returns to search and discovers magic emerging from the cold.
Young Children Honor:
- Monster Hands, written by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan, illustrated by Dion MBD, and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
- You’re So Amazing!, written by James and Lucy Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George and published by Little, Brown & Company, a division of Hatchette Book Group Inc.
Middle Grade Winner: Popcorn, written and illustrated by Rob Harrell and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
It’s picture day. Through a humorously illustrated depiction of the day, Andrew journeys through the catastrophic ups and downs of middle school, while navigating his anxiety and OCD. His anxiety builds, erupts and eventually subsides with the help of his teachers and friends.
Middle Grade Honor:
- Louder Than Hunger, written by John Schu and published by Candlewick Press.
- Shark Teeth, written by Sherri Winston and published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books.
Teen Winner: Chronically Dolores, written by Maya Van Wagenen and published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
A diagnosis of interstitial cystitis and an embarrassing bathroom incident leaves Dolores with a cruel nickname and no friends. To regain her social status, she hatches a plan with the sheltered Terpsichore to fake a friendship. When it all goes awry, Dolores must confront what it really means to be a good friend.
Teen Honor:
- Light Enough to Float, written by Lauren Seal and published by Rocky Pond Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
- On the Bright Side, written by Anna Sortino and published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Sibert (Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal)
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year. The award is named in honor of Robert F. Sibert, the long-time President of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. of Jacksonville, Illinois. ALSC administers the award. Learn more about the Sibert Award.
Award Winner: Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall, written by Lynn Brunelle, illustrated by Jason Chin, and published by Neal Porter Books, Holiday House.
Life After Whale, is an informational book about the complex ecosystem engendered by the slow decay of a blue whale’s body on the ocean floor.
Honor Books:
- Call Me Roberto!: Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos, written by Nathalie Alonso, illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez and published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers.
- The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II, written by Candace Fleming and published by Scholastic Focus, an imprint Scholastic Inc.
- The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival, written by Estelle Nadel and Sammy Savos with Bethany Strout, illustrated by Sammy Savos and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.
- Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills, written by Billy Mills and Donna Janell Bowman, illustrated by S.D. Nelson and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group Inc.
Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award
Stonewall Book Award–Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award is given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. The award is sponsored by ALA's Rainbow Round Table. Learn more about the Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children's & Young Adult Literature Award.
Award Winner Children's Literature: Lunar Boy, written by Jes and Cin Wibowo and published by HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Moon-child Indu’s definition of home, family and identity are challenged when he moves to New Earth with his adoptive mother. His loneliness draws him back to the moon. Rooted in Indonesian culture, this luminous graphic novel centers a trans protagonist searching for his place in the universe.
Honor Books Children’s Literature
- Marley’s Pride, written by Joëlle Retener, illustrated by DeAnn Wiley and published by Barefoot Books;
- Murray Out of Water, written by Taylor Tracy and published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers;
- The Flicker, written by H.E. Edgmon and published by Feiwel & Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group;
- What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice, written by Jay Leslie, illustrated by Loveis Wise and published by Hillman Grad Books, an imprint of Zando.
Award Winner Young Adult Literature Canto Contigo, written by Jonny Garza Villa and published by Wednesday Books, an imprint of St. Martin’s Publishing Group.
Talented singer Rafael wrestles with ego, heart and grief as he prepares for his final high school mariachi competition. His chief vocal rival is Rey, the trans boy who stole his heart months ago. This culturally rich queer romance set in Texas celebrates music, first love and becoming your best self.
Honor Books for Young Adult Literature
- Most Ardently: A Pride and Prejudice Remix, written by Gabe Cole Novoa and published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group;
- Navigating with You, written by Jeremy Whitley, illustrated by Cassio Ribeiro and published by Maverick, Mad Cave Studios;
- Road Home, written by Rex Ogle and published by Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton & Company, Inc.;
- Time and Time Again, written by Chatham Greenfield and published by Bloomsbury YA, Bloomsbury Publishing Inc., part of Bloomsbury Publishing.
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18) during a November 1 to October 31 publishing year. The award is administered YALSA. Learn more about the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction.
Award Winner: Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire, written by Paula Yoo and published by Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton & Company.
Paula Yoo astutely tackles the events surrounding the 1992 Los Angeles rebellion through the personal stories of Latasha Harlins, Rodney King and Edward Jae Song Lee. Nuanced, balanced and empathetic, these accounts craft a compelling and unforgettable read about race, injustice and hope.
Award Finalists:
A Greater Goal: The Epic Battle for Equal Pay in Women's Soccer—and Beyond, written by Elizabeth Rusch and published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Homebody, written and illustrated by Theo Parish and published by HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges, and a Town that Looked Away, written by Candy J. Cooper and published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, a division of Astra Publishing House.
The Unboxing of a Black Girl, written by Angela Shanté and published by Page Street Publishing Co.
Sydney Taylor Book Award
Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature. Gold medals are presented in three categories: Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult. Honor Books are awarded silver medals, and Notable Books are named in each category. A Body-of-Work Award is given periodically for significant contributions to the genre of Jewish children’s literature. Learn more about the Sydney Taylor Book Awards.
Picture Book Winner: An Etrog from Across the Sea by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky, illustrated by Stacey Dressen McQueen and published by Kar-Ben Publishing, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group.
Papa has promised to bring an etrog (citron) for Sukkot from a trading voyage, but when his ship does not appear, Leah and Aaron return to the family’s Hudson Valley homestead, hoping that he will arrive in time to celebrate with them. Hand-painted illustrations are styled after early American folk art.
Picture Book Honors:
- Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan's Newspaper Gave a Voice to Jewish Immigrants by Norman H. Finkelstein, illustrated by Vesper Stamper and published by Holiday House.
- Joyful Song: A Naming Story by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Susan Gal, an Arthur A. Levine book, published by Levine Querido.
- Rising by Sidura Ludwig, illustrated by Sophia Vincent Guy, and published by Candlewick Press.
- The Tree of Life: How a Holocaust Sapling Inspired the World by Elisa Boxer, illustrated by Alianna Rozentsveig and published by Rocky Pond, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Middle Grade Winner: The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival by Estelle Nadel and Sammy Savos with Bethany Strout, illustrated by Sammy Savos, and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing, is the winner in the Middle Grade category.
In this poignant, thoughtfully illustrated biographical graphic novel, Enia’s happy Jewish childhood in rural Poland is cruelly disrupted when she is forced to hide from the Nazis. Enia, later called Estelle, suffers devastating losses and separations but draws on her inner resources and love of singing to endure.
Middle Grade Honors:
- Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar, published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
- Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop by Joshua S. Levy, published by Katherine Tegen Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
- Just Shy of Ordinary by A.J. Sass, published by Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Hachette Book Group.
Young Adult Winner: Night Owls by A.R. Vishny, published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Molly and Clara are estries -- bread-eating, owl-shifting women vampires -- living in an indie cinema/former Yiddish theater. When Molly's girlfriend vanishes, the sisters team up with reluctant medium Boaz, facing down a monstrous Manhattan underworld to find her before they all disappear. An immersive urban fantasy with a Jewish twist.
Young Adult Honors:
- The Forbidden Book by Sacha Lamb, an Arthur A. Levine book, published by Levine Querido.
- Trajectory by Cambria Gordon, published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
The goal of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature is to honor and recognize individual work about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit. Learn more about the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature.
The Picture Book Winner: Aloha Everything, written by Kaylin Melia George, illustrated by Mae White and published by Red Comet Press.
Through the medium of hula, a young girl learns the true meaning of aloha. Verses richly interspersed with the Hawaiian language and lush, eye-catching illustrations honor the beauty and vitality of the Hawaiian people, history, ecology and folklore.
Picture Book Honor: The Rock in My Throat, written by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Jiemei Lin and published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group Inc.
Children’s Literature Winner: Continental Drifter, written and illustrated by Kathy MacLeod, and published by First Second, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership.
While Kathy loves the idyllic beauty of her father’s hometown in Maine, she doesn’t look like the other kids at summer camp there and misses parts of her life at home in Bangkok, Thailand. With her mixed background, Kathy yearns to belong in Thailand, Maine or simply anywhere.
Children Literature Honor:
- Mabuhay!, written and illustrated by Zachary Sterling, and published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
- Clairboyance, written by Kristiana Kahakauwila, and published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Young Adult Literature Winner: Everything We Never Had, written by Randy Ribay, and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Ribay tackles generational trauma, mental health, and toxic masculinity in families while interrogating issues of immigration, racism, and class to create a deeply powerful and emotional narrative of four generations of Filipino American teenage boys navigating their identities, dreams, and familial relationships, and ultimately, hope.
Young Adult Literature Honor:
- Lunar New Year Love Story, written by Gene Luen Yang, illustrated by LeUyen Pham, and published by First Second, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings Limited Partnership.
- Dragonfruit, written by Makiia Lucier, and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
