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. The very best books and media of the previous year 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 2026 ALA Youth Media Awards were announced Monday, January 26, in Chicago.
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.
- The Favorites, by Layne Fargo, published by Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House.
- The Girls Who Grew Big, by Leila Mottley, published by Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Penguin Random House.
- Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert, by Bob the Drag Queen, published by Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster.
- Hole in the Sky, by Daniel H. Wilson, published by Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House.
- Insectopolis: A Natural History, by Peter Kuper, published by W.W. Norton & Company.
- Plum, by Andy Anderegg, published by Hub City Press.
- Sonita: My Fight Against Tyranny and My Escape to Freedom, by Sonita Alizada, published by HarperOne, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
- These Heathens, by Mia McKenzie, published by Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House.
- What Kind of Paradise, by Janelle Brown, published by Random House, an imprint and division of Penguin Random House.
- The Whyte Python World Tour, by Travis Kennedy, published by Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House.
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 the Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC). Learn more about the Batchelder Award.
Award Winner
Tapioca Stories is the winner of the 2026 Mildred L. Batchelder Award for Croco. Originally published in Spanish in 2022 as Croco, the book was written and illustrated by Azul López and translated by Kit Maude.
In this tale of resilience and self-efficacy, Croco, a crocodile, tries to find a way out of a hole. With playful, mixed-media illustrations and a vertical layout, this book encourages rapt expectation. Like animals in his community, readers root for Croco while also learning that individuals control their own stories.
Honor Books:
The Adventures of Cipollino, published by Enchanted Lion Books, originally published in Italian in 1951 as “La avventure di Cipollino,” written by Gianni Rodari, illustrated by Dasha Tolstikova and translated by Antony Shugaar.
From Memen to Mori, published by Yen Press, originally published in Japanese in 2023 as “Memen to Mori,” written and illustrated by Shinsuke Toshitake and translated by Ajani Oloye.
Picking Tea with Baba, published by Charlesbridge, originally published in Chinese in 2023 as “Father’s Tea Garden on Hilltop,” written by Xu Bin, illustrated by Yu Yin and translated by Shan Chen.
Pilgrim Codex, published by Em Querido, an imprint of Levine Querido, originally published in Spanish in 2022 as “Códice peregrino,” written by Vivian Mansour, illustrated by Emmanuel Valtierra and translated by Carlos Rodriguez Cortez.
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
Fireworks, illustrated by Cátia Chien, written by Matthew Burgess, and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
In Fireworks, two children navigate a sweltering city summer day as the book’s sensory-rich illustrations and percussive prose transform ordinary urban sights into moments of shared joy. From spraying hydrants to pulsing street rhythms, the day builds toward a stunning fireworks finale that lifts childhood wonder skyward.
Honor Books:
Every Monday Mabel, illustrated and written by Jashar Awan, and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Our Lake, illustrated and written by Angie Kang, and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave, illustrated and written by Drew Beckmeyer, and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Sundust, illustrated and written by Zeke Peña, and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
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.
Candace Fleming is the winner of the 2026 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. Her numerous works include Muncha! Muncha! Muncha! (Atheneum Books for Young Readers, 2002 an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division) and The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary (Schwartz & Wade Books an imprint of Random House Inc, 2008).
Fleming writes with a distinct style employing literary forms and devices in an accessible and engaging manner. She writes storybooks that demand to be read aloud and riveting informational texts that challenge the reader.
Candace Fleming’s award-winning works include Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis mellifera which won the Robert F. Sibert Medal in 2021, and The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II, recipient of the Robert F. Sibert Honor Medal in 2025. In addition, Fleming has received the YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction, the Orbis Pictus Award, and Boston Globe-Horn Book Award for Nonfiction.
Coretta Scott King Book Awards
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.
Author Award
Medal Winner:
Will’s Race for Home, written by Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes, published by Little, Brown and Company, Hachette Book Group Inc.
Will’s Race for Home is a thrilling adventure story about a son and his father who journey from Texas to claim free land during the Oklahoma Land Rush. But the journey isn’t easy—the terrain is rough, the bandits are brutal, and every interaction carries a heavy undercurrent of danger.
Honor Books:
The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze, by Derrick Barnes, published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
The Library in the Woods, by Calvin Alexander Ramsey illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
Split the Sky, by Marie Arnold, published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group Inc.
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
The Library in the Woods, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
In segregated North Carolina of the 1950s, Junior moves with his family to Roxboro after a storm devastates his parents’ farm. While adjusting to life in town, new friends take him to a log cabin that houses a secret library for Black residents, inspiring a sense of possibility and community.
Honor Books
- André: André Leon Talley–A Fabulously Fashionable Fairy Tale, illustrated by Lamont O’Neal, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders and published by Henry Holt and Company, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group.
- City Summer, Country Summer, illustrated by Alexis Franklin, written by Kiese Laymon and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
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
Arriel Vinson, author of Under the Neon Lights, published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
“Arriel Vinson’s debut novel-in-verse eloquently conveys the cherished moments of young love and community solidarity rooted in roller skating culture,” Huggins said.
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: Kadir Nelson
“The jury recognizes Kadir Nelson as a brilliant artist whose contributions to children’s literature capture the African American experience with a beauty and depth that cannot be erased,” said Award Committee Chair Dr. Andrea Jamison.
Nelson is a renowned artist and storyteller whose work as both author and illustrator appears in over 30 children’s books. He has received numerous honors for his contributions to children’s literature, including the Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, Robert F. Sibert Medal and multiple New York Times Best Illustrated Book distinctions.
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.
Candace Fleming is the recipient of the 2026 Margaret A. Edwards Award, honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens for Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart, Crash From Outer Space: Unraveling the Mystery of Flying Saucers, Alien Beings, and Roswell, The Family Romanov: Murder, Rebellion, and the Fall of Imperial Russia, The Great and Only Barnum: The Tremendous, Stupendous Life of Showman P. T. Barnum, Murder Among Friends: How Leopold and Loeb Tried to Commit the Perfect Crime, Our Eleanor: A Scrapbook Look at Eleanor Roosevelt’s Remarkable Life, Presenting Buffalo Bill: The Man Who Invented the Wild West, and The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh.
Fleming is a prolific author known for her gripping narrative nonfiction Amelia Lost, which suspensefully recounts Amelia Earhart’s life and disappearance. Crash From Outer Space explores the 1947 Roswell incident, deftly separating fact from fiction. In The Family Romanov, the privilege and plight of the infamous Romanovs is contrasted with the misfortune of Russia’s peasants. The Great and Only Barnum brings the realities behind the showman’s legend to life. Murder Among Friends examines the notorious Leopold and Loeb case, shining a light on how corruption and social attitudes of the day impacted the verdict. Our Eleanor portrays Eleanor Roosevelt’s transformation into a powerful, empathetic leader, while Presenting Buffalo Bill reframes the myth and history of “Buffalo Bill” Cody. The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh doesn’t shy away from the aviator’s controversial political opinions. Fleming’s work deconstructs polished images of historical figures and events, presenting them with nuance and depth.
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
Producers WeatherHunters, Inc. and Silver Creek Falls Entertainment, Inc.
The Hunter family introduces the amazing world of weather and its natural phenomena through STEM explorations and relatable stories. The committee was impressed with connections made by our shared experiences of weather and meteorology. The show integrates African American history with a loving family. Extension articles, games and activities add to the show’s quality and educational impact.
Honor Titles:
- Reading Rainbow, produced by Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM) PBS and Kidzuko.
Mychal Threets brings library joy to this revamp of the beloved childhood favorite. Each 26-minute episode highlights a picture book through a read-aloud, discussion, related titles, activities and children’s reviews. The inclusion of libraries and the joy of reading make this an appealing addition to children’s digital media.
- Terrestrials, produced by WNYC and Radiolab.
Terrestrials is a podcast for science-minded listeners featuring rad topics with diverse perspectives in an accessible interview format. Host Lulu Miller talks with a spectacular array of experts, discussing everything from farts to octopus escapes to gravitational waves. Don’t miss the catchy original tunes!
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
Stop That Mop!, written and illustrated by Jonathan Fenske, published by Simon Spotlight, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
An animated mop leads a menagerie of animals on a merry chase. Hop, clop, and flop – it’s the cream of the crop! Rhyming text pairs concise vocabulary with expressive illustrations and zany humor for a decodable tale that will keep beginning readers engaged while strengthening their skills.
Honor Books
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Earl and Worm: The Big Mess and Other Stories, written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.
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I Like Hoops by Juwanda G. Ford and illustrated by Jada Jeni Bennett and published by Holiday House.The Tunneler T
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The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel, written and illustrated by Michael Rex and published by Simon Spotlight, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
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
All the Noise at Once, written by DeAndra Davis, published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
Aiden has always dreamed of being a football star like his older brother, Brandon, despite the challenges his autism presents. Then Brandon’s arrest at a party due to supposed violence toward a white cop opens up a crucial exploration of racism and the social justice system, highlighting its brokenness and how society often works against those perceived as “different.”
Award Finalists:
First Love Language, written by Stefany Valentine, and published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House.
Love, Misha, written and illustrated by Askel Aden, and published by First Second, an imprint of Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.
Red Flags and Butterflies, written by Sheryl Azzam, and published by DCB Young Readers, an imprint of Cormorant Books Inc.
You and Me on Repeat, written and illustrated by Mary Shyne, and published by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
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
All the Blues in the Sky, written by Renée Watson, and published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing.
Sage’s best friend is dead. Analytical at heart, she struggles with the turbulent nature of grief. Watson mixes verse and prose to convey the aftermath of a 13-year-old trying to move forward after immeasurable loss. Experiencing shades of grief, Sage discovers that from the buds of sorrow, strength still blooms.
Honor Books
The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli, written and illustrated by Karina Yan Glaser, and published by Allida, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez, written by María Dolores Águila, and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.
The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story, written by Daniel Nayeri, and published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido.
The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest, written by Aubrey Hartman, illustrated by Marcin Minor and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
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
Live Oak Media, producer of the audiobook Clack, Clack, Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story, has won the 2026 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Children.
Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story, written by Traci Sorell, narrated by the author and a full cast, and produced by Arnie and Debra Cardillo for Live Oak Media, is a beautiful creation and an act of gadugi (gah-dew-ghee), the Cherokee value of collaboration. Young stickball players learn to cooperate, and all production elements unite by centering the voices of elders and children in English and Tsalagi (jah-long-ghee) layering in a culturally resonant soundscape, and narration of a game.
Award Winner Young Adult
Listening Library, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, producer of the audiobook Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day.
Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day, written and illustrated by Alex L. Combs and Andrew Eakett, narrated by the authors and a full cast, and produced by Juan García Ticoulat and Iris McElroy for Listening Library, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, incorporates a full cast of global historians and multifaceted voices. It represents an exceptional translation of the graphic format to a clear and cohesive audiobook. Sprinkled with humor, the intimate nonfiction narration from the authors poses thoughtful questions about the treatment and agency of transgender individuals throughout history.
Honor Audiobooks:
- The Dead of Summer, written by Ryan La Sala, narrated by the author and a full cast, and produced by Zane Birdwell and Paul Gagne for Scholastic Audio.
- Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith and produced by Sydney Mathieu of Eljin Productions, Inc. for Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins.
- Soundtrack, written by Jason Reynolds, narrated by a full cast and produced by Dan Zitt and Brian Ramcharan for Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group.
- Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen, written by James Robinson, illustrated by James Rea, narrated by the author, and produced by Iris McElroy and Olivia Langen for Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group.
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
Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith, written by the editor and 16 others, and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Sandy June’s Legendary Frybread Drive-In occupies a liminal space where Indigenous teens of all Nations are able to find a place of healing and belonging. Employing a continuation of Native storytelling tradition, seventeen YA authors weave characters, objects, events and themes thereby elevating traditional story elements into a memorable cultural celebration.
In addition to Smith, contributors to the all-Native anthology include Kaua Māhoe Adams, Marcella Bell, Angeline Boulley, K. A. Cobell, A. J. Eversole, Jen Ferguson, Eric Gansworth, Byron Graves, Kate Hart, Christine Hartman Derr, Karina Iceberg, Cheryl Isaacs, Darcie Little Badger, David A. Robertson, Andrea L. Rogers, and Brian Young.
Honor Books
Cope Field, written by T.L. Simpson and published by Flux, an imprint of North Star Editions, Inc.
The House That No One Sees, written by Adina King and published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Sisters in the Wind, written by Angeline Boulley and published by Henry Holt Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Song of a Blackbird, written and illustrated by Maria van Lieshout and published by First Second, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
Pura Belpré Awards
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.
Children's Author Award
Award Winner
The Pecan Sheller, written by Lupe Ruiz-Flores, published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
In The Pecan Sheller, set in 1930s San Antonio, 13-year-old Petra dreams of becoming a writer, but her father’s death forces her to leave school for work in a pecan factory to support her family. When grueling conditions lead to tragedy and wage cuts, Petra and her coworkers strike for better pay and safety, risking everything for a better future.
Honor Books
A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation, written by Pablo Cartaya and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
The Island of Forgotten Gods, written by Victor Piñeiro and published by Sourcebooks Young Readers, an imprint of Sourcebooks Kids.
A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez, written by María Dolores Águila and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.
Young Adult Author Award
Award Winner:
On the Wings of la Noche, written by Vanessa L. Torres, published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.
On the Wings of la Noche introduces us to 17-year-old Estrella “Noche” Villanueva, who’s trying to figure out her supernatural duties as a legendary Lechuza who escorts souls to the next world. The problem—her girlfriend Dante recently died, and Noche is not ready to let Dante’s soul go.
Honor Books:
Rosa by Any Other Name, written by Hailey Alcaraz and published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide, written and illustrated by Pablo Leon and published by HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
The Story of My Anger, written by Jasminne Mendez and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Youth Illustration Award
Winner
Popo the Xolo, illustrated Abraham Matiasby, written by Paloma Angelina Lopez, and published by Charlesbridge.
In Popo the Xolo, having spent an ordinary day with her loving family, Nana (Grandma) falls asleep in her chair and finds herself journeying through the many strange lands of Mictlān, an indigenous Mexican afterworld, accompanied by her beloved dog, Popo the xoloitzcuintle (a breed native to Mexico). The book was written by Paloma Angelina Lopez and published by Charlesbridge.
Honor Books:
A-Ztec: A Bilingual Alphabet Book, illustrated and written by Emmanuel Valtierra and published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido.
The Invisible Parade, illustrated by John Picacio, written by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
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
Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe, written by Amy S. Hansen with Wanda Díaz Merced, illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza and published by Charlesbridge.
In this gripping biography of the life of astrophysicist Wanda Díaz Merced, a curious young girl with dreams of the stars grows to reach them through ingenuity and determination. While her vision loss from diabetes temporarily interrupts this dream, her persistence provides new opportunities to explore the universe.
Young Children Honor:
Bat and the Business of Ferrets, written by Elana K. Arnold, with pictures by Charles Santoso and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
I Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea, written by Janice Milusich, illustrated by Chris Raschka and published by Anne Schwartz Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.
Middle Grade Winner
Where Only Storms Grow, written by Alyssa Colman and published by Farrar Strauss Giroux Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group.
Twelve-year-old twins, Howe and Joanna, must work together to save their family’s Oklahoma farm. Considered fragile due to scoliosis, Joanna is determined to prove she is physically strong enough to overcome the misfortunes the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression have sent her family’s way.
Middle Grade Honor
Octopus Moon, written by Bobbie Pyron and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
The Strongest Heart, written by Saadia Faruqi and published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Teen Winner
Whale Eyes: A Memoir about Seeing and Being Seen, written by James Robinson, illustrated by Brian Rea and published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Filmmaker James Robinson’s illustrated memoir details his experiences with a form of strabismus, a disability that causes his eyes to focus differently. Brian Rea’s innovative illustrations and Robinson’s thorough descriptions allow readers to understand how this disability affects his vision, his ability to read and his social interactions with others.
Teen Honor:
The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar, written by Sonora Reyes and published by Harper, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
The Poetry of Car Mechanics, written by Heidi E.Y. Stemple and published by Wordsong, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, a division of Astra Publishing 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, which celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. Learn more about the Sibert Award.
Award Winner
Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka Con La Papa, written by Sara Andrea Fajardo, illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, and published by Roaring Brook Press,
Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka Con La Papa is a picture book biography of agriculture scientist Alberto Salas, who is racing to save potato varieties in the Andes Mountains before they disappear due to climate change.
Honor Books:
At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom, written by Erin Entrada Kelly and published by Greenwillow Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer, written by Quartez Harris, illustrated by Gordon C. James and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
The History of We, written and illustrated by Nikkolas Smith and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide, written and illustrated by Pablo Leon and published by HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
A World Without Summer: a Volcano Erupts, a Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out, written by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Yas Imamura and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.
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
Halfway to Somewhere, written and illustrated by Jose Pimienta, and published by RH Graphic, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.
In this nuanced graphic novel, nonbinary middle schooler Ave must put down new roots after a move to the U.S. from their beloved Mexicali home. Through an affirming and memorable cast, tender plot, and vibrant illustrations, themes of language, location, and identity are presented with subtlety, inviting readers to question borders and binaries with complexity and care.
Award Winner Young Adult Literature
One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller, published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido.
When Grace Woodhouse rejoins her high school football team after publicly transitioning, she is thrust into a spotlight she has no desire to fill. With powerful prose and vivid characters, this story does not flinch from the realities faced by contemporary queer and transgender athletes but simultaneously radiates the joy of team sports and community solidarity.
Children’s and Young Adult Award Honor Books
Call Me Gray, written by Andrew Larsen and Bells Larsen, illustrated by Tallulah Fontaine and published by Kids Can Press Ltd.
Devils Like Us, written by L.T. Thompson and published by Bloomsbury YA, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing.
He’s So Possessed with Me, written by Corey Liu and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Hick: The Trailblazing Journalist Who Captured Eleanor Roosevelt’s Heart, written by Sarah Miller and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.
The Ink Witch, written by Steph Cherrywell and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.
Ollie in Between, written by Jess Callans and published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group.
Sometimes the Girl, written by Jennifer Mason-Black and published by Carolrhoda Lab, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.
Woods & Words: The Story of Poet Mary Oliver, written by Sara Holly Ackerman illustrated by Naoko Stoop and published by Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s 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
Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown, written by Candace Fleming, published by Anne Schwartz Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.
This detailed examination of the rise and fall of Jim Jones and the Peoples Temple explores his life and various factors that made its members vulnerable to manipulation. Through pictures and first-person survivor accounts, readers discover what led to the deaths of more than 900 people in Jonestown, Guyana.
Award Finalists:
- American Spirits: The Famous Fox Sisters and the Mysterious Fad That Haunted a Nation, written by Barb Rosenstock, and published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, a division of Astra Publishing House.
- White House Secrets: Medical Lies and Cover-Ups, written by Gail Jarrow, and published by Calkins Creek, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers, a division of Astra Publishing House.
- White Lies: How the South Lost the Civil War, then Rewrote the History, written by Ann Bausum, and published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
- A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, A Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out, written by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Yas Imamura, and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.
Affiliate Awards
American Indian Youth Literature Awards
Awarded biennially by the American Indian Library Association (AILA), the award identifies and honors the best writings and illustrations for youth, by and about Native American and Indigenous peoples of North America. Works selected to receive the award, in picture book, middle grade, and young adult categories, present Native American and Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity in present, past and future contexts.
Picture Book Award
Chooch Helped, written by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation) illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz (Cherokee Nation) and published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido.
Picture Book HonorTitles
- Braided Roots, written by Pasha Westbrook (Chickasaw Nation and Choctaw Freedman), illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation), and published by Orchard Books, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
- Fierce Aunties! written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tshimshian), illustrated by Steph Littlebird (Oregon’s Grand Ronde Confederate Tribes) and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon and Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.
- For a Girl Becoming, written by Joy Harjo (Mvskoke Nation), illustrated by Adriana Garcia and published by Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton & Company.
- Raven’s Ribbons, written by Tasha Spillett (Cree and Trinidadian), illustrated by Daniel Ramirez (Saginaw Chippewa Tribe of Michigan) and published by Little, Brown and Company.
- We Weave, written by Daniel W. Vandever (Navajo and Irish), illustrated by Deonoveigh Mitchell (Navajo and Black American) and published by South of Sunrise Creative.
Middle Grade Award
Buffalo Dreamer, written by Violet Duncan (Plains Cree and Taino from Kehewin Cree Nation) and published by Nancy Paulsen Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Middle Grade Honor Titles
- Jo Jo Makoons: The Super-Scary Sleepover, written by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), illustrated by Tara Audibert (Wolastoquey and French), and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
- Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival, written by Trina Rathgeber (Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation), illustrated by Alina Pete (Little Pine First Nation), and published by Orca Book Publishers.
- Outfoxed, written by Elise McMullen-Ciotti (Cherokee Nation), and published by Scholastic Inc.
- The Ribbon Skirt, written and illustrated by Cameron Mukwa (Anishinaabe) and published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
- Red Bird Danced, written by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Summer of the Bone Horses, written by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve (Rosebud Sioux Tribe), illustrated by Steph Littlebird (Oregon’s Grand Ronde Confederate Tribes), and published by Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.
Young Adult Award
Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee Nation), and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers
Young Adult Honor Titles
- Sheine Lende: A Prequel to Elatsoe, written by Darcie Little Badger (Lipan Apache), illustrated by Rovina Cai, and published by Levine Querido.
- Sisters in the Wind, written by Angeline Boulley (Sault St. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) and published by Henry Holt and Company.
- Super Indian, Volume 3, written and illustrated by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo Tribe of Oklahoma) and published by Wacky Productions Unlimited.
- The Unfinished, written by Cheryl Isaacs (Kanyen’keha) and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins.
- Where Wolves Don’t Die, written by Anton Treuer (Ojibwe) and published by Levine Querido
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.
Best Pasifika Picture Book
Kaho’olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People, written by Kamalani Hurley, illustrated by Harinani Orme, and published by Millbrook Press, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group.
Coinciding with the 50th anniversary of its fight for reclamation, “Kahoʻolawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People,” tells the story of Kaho’olawe’s importance in historical Pasifika migration to Hawaiʻi, her near devastation by American militarism, and her position as the inspiration for the Hawaiian Sovereignty movement and Renaissance.
Pasifika Picture Book Honor Titles
Filo’s Butterflies, written by Litea Fuata, illustrated by Myo Yim, and published by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, an imprint of Hardie Grant Publishing.
White Sunday, written by Litea Fuata, illustrated by Myo Yim, and published by Hardie Grant Children’s Publishing, an imprint of Hardie Grant Publishing.
Best Asian American Picture Book:
Many Things At Once, written by Veera Hiranandani, illustrated by Nadia Alam, and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.
Drawing on her own family background, Hiranandani beautifully conveys the complex experience of being biracial and from an interfaith family. Pencil and digital illustrations show the narrator’s evolving sense of self while evoking the feel of a scrapbook in scenes depicting her grandparents’ history in India and Poland.
Asian American Picture Book Honor Titles
Every Peach Is a Story, written by David Mas Masumoto and Nikiko Masumoto, illustrated by Lauren Tamaki, and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.
A Vaisakhi to Remember, written by Simran Jeet Singh, illustrated by Japneet Kaur, and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.
Children’s Literature Award
Hungry Bones, written by Louise Hung and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Jade is a ghost trapped in a house unable to move on until Molly and her mother move in. This haunting tale blends culture and mystery, resulting in a powerful story of family, history, and remembering and honoring the pain of the past, as we move toward a brighter future.
Children’s Literature Honor Titles
The Queen Bees of Tybee County, written by Kyle Casey Chu and published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
Fresh Start, written and illustrated by Gale Galligan, and published by Graphix, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.
Young Adult Literature Award
The Red Car to Hollywood, written by Jennie Liu and published by Carolrhoda Lab, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group.
With a meticulously researched and tightly paced plot set in 1924, Los Angeles’s Chinatown comes to life around sixteen-year-old Ruby Chan’s and rising star Anna May Wong’s friendship. This novel blends suspense with emotional depth while navigating intricate themes of self-determination, familial expectations, and assimilation amidst systemic racism and sexism.
Young Adult Literature Honor Title
Tall Water, written by SJ Sindu, illustrated by Dion MBD and published by HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
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
Shabbat Shalom: Let’s Rest and Reset by Suzy Ultman and published by Rise x Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House, is the winner in the Picture Book category.
A gentle reflection on the meaning of the Jewish Sabbath (Shabbat) as a weekly day of rest, paired with whimsical, imaginative illustrations. This sophisticated board book combines succinct text with playful art to create a post-denominational depiction of Jewish ritual that will engage the youngest readers, captivate Pre-K audiences and delight older children.
Picture Book Honors:
- The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder, illustrated by Leanne Hatch and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.
- The Keeper of Stories, by Caroline Kusin Pritchard” illustrated by Selina Alko and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
- My Body Can by Laura Gehl, illustrated by Alexandra Colombo and published by Apples & Honey Press, an imprint of Behrman House Publishers.
Middle Grade Winner
Neshama by Marcella Pixley and published by Candlewick Press, is the winner in the Middle Grade category.
In this haunting novel in verse, sixth grader Anna Fleischman encounters the ibur of her Aunt Ruthie, a righteous soul seeking to finish her earthly work. With Anna’s consent, Ruthie shares her body, guiding her through family secrets, bullying and intergenerational trauma. Jewish spirituality, Shabbat with Bubbe and poetic exchanges infuse this powerful story of identity, justice and healing.
Middle Grade Honors:
- Beinoni by Mari Lowe and published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido.
Young Adult Winner
D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T. by Abby White and published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido, is the winner in the Young Adult category.
D.J. Rosenblum idolized her cousin Rachel (the G.O.A.T. – Greatest Cousin of All Time). After Rachel’s sudden passing, D.J. moves to her cousin’s town, determined to uncover the truth while navigating grief and family fractures. Preparing for her postponed bat mitzvah, she wrestles with her Torah portion and faith, finding strength to face loss and begin moving forward.
Young Adult Honors:
The Rebel Girls of Rome by Jordyn Taylor and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.
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