Showing posts with label Awards and Honors. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Awards and Honors. Show all posts

Tuesday, January 27, 2026

ALA Youth Media Awards

This year's ALA Youth Media Awards are in!! The ALA released their top picks for children and young adults. This includes the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards as well as recognizing the honor books that were considered. Here are some highlights from the awards:

  • John Newberry Medal: All the Blues in the Sky, written by Renée Watson
    When thirteen-year-old Sage's best friend dies, Sage struggles with grief and feels that she is at fault, but when she joins a grief group, she slowly learns to heal.

  • Randolph Caldecott Medal: Fireworks, illustrated by Cátia Chien and written by Matthew Burgess
    Part poem, part portable fireworks display with a vertical gatefold, this picture book from the award-winning team of Matthew Burgess and Catia Chien highlights the simple delights of a steamy July day in the city as two siblings eagerly await a spectacular fireworks display. POP!

  • Coretta Scott King Author Book Award: Will’s Race for Home, written by Jewell Parker Rhodes
    During the land rush of 1889, African American Will and his father journey from Texas to Oklahoma, racing thousands of others to stake their claim.

  • Coretta Scott King Illustrator Book Award: The Library in the Woods, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey
    A Black family maintains a farm in North Carolina until, after the crops are destroyed two years running, Junior’s father moves his wife and son into town. Although the library there excludes Black residents, Junior discovers a log cabin in a forest clearing, where he can borrow three books per visit. This library’s collection includes many books by Black writers.

  • Coretta Scott King—John Steptoe New Talent Author Award: Under the Neon Lights, written by Arriel Vinson
    Sixteen-year-old Jaelyn Coleman lives for Saturdays at WestSide Roll, the iconic neighborhood roller rink. On these magical nights, Jae can lose herself in the music of DJ Sunny, the smell of nachos from the concession, and the crowd of some of her favorite people: old heads, dance crews, and other regulars like herself. Here, Jae and other Black teens can fully be themselves.

  • Michael L. Printz Award: Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories, edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
Set at a classic drive-in restaurant that seems to exist in every Native community, this anthology unites the stories of teens from all kinds of backgrounds through the shared theme of Native joy, with stories and poems reflecting hope, healing, humor, love, friendship, romance, and joy. 

  • Schneider Family Book Awards
    • Young Child: Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe, written by Amy S. Hansen and Wanda Díaz Merced, illustrated by Rocio Arreola Mendoza
Growing up in Puerto Rico, Wanda Díaz Merced wanted to study the stars. But when she lost her sight, she had to find a new way to work. Through the use of sonification, which turns data into sound, she was able to make a path for herself and other scientists with disabilities.


    • Middle Grade: Where Only Storms Grow, written by Alyssa Colman
      During the worst storm of the Dust Bowl in Oklahoma, twins Howe and Joanna must put their differences aside and work together to save their farm from ruin.

    • Young Adult: Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen, written by James Robinson, illustrated by Brian Rea
      From Emmy Award-winning documentary filmmaker James Robinson comes a breathtaking illustrated memoir for middle-grade readers (and adults, too)-inspired by the viral, Emmy-nominated short film Whale Eyes. Told through an experimental mix of intimate anecdotes and interactive visuals, this book immerses readers in James's point of view, allowing them to see the world through his disabling eye conditions.

  • Pura Belpré Awards
    • Children’s Author Award: The Pecan Sheller, written by Lupe Ruiz-Flores
      In 1930s San Antonio, after her father's death, thirteen-year-old Petra must quit school to work at a pecan shelling factory where dangerous conditions and low wages push her to take a vital stand for change.

    • Young Adult Author Award: On the Wings of la Noche by Vanessa L. Torres

    • Death waits for Estrella (Noche) Villanueva. In her human form, she is a lonely science girl grieving the tragic accidental drowning of her girlfriend, Dante Fuentes. At night, she is a Lechuza who visits her dead girlfriend at the lake, desperate for more time with her. The longer Dante's soul roams the earth, the more likely it is that she will fade into the unknown, lost forever, but Noche cannot let go.

  • Stonewall Book Award: Halfway to Somewhere, written and illustrated by Jose Pimienta
  • Ave must adjust to a new country, a new school, and a new family dynamic when their mom and younger brother move to Kansas while their father and older sister stay in Mexico during the parents' divorce.

  • William C. Morris Award: All the Noise at Once, written by DeAndra Davis
    Aiden has always dreamed of playing football like his star quarterback brother, Brandon. After struggling with an overstimulation meltdown during summer tryouts, Aiden gets a second chance when a spot unexpectedly opens on the team. However, not all teammates are happy with his inclusion, worried about how Aiden's autism will affect the game.



  • YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown, written by Candace Fleming
    A chronicle of one of American history's most notorious cults, a book including first-person accounts follows Jim Jones from humble origins to "Jonestown" in Guyana, South America, and traces his transformation of Peoples Temple into a nefarious experiment in mind control.


To see all the complete list of award winners and honor books, stop here. [American Library Association announces 2026 Youth Media Award winners. ALA website. January 26, 2026.]

Sunday, October 19, 2025

WLA Honors YSS Members

Two members of YSS will be honored at the WLA Fall Conference in Middleton at the end of the month.

Alison Loewen, current YSS past chair, will be honored with the 2025 Demco Librarian of the Year Award! Alison has served on the YSS board for the past four years. She is being honored as an innovative collaborator and leader in early literacy within her community and beyond. You can read more about her accomplishments here.


Marge Loch-Wouters, longtime YSS member and recent YSS blog administrator, will be inducted into the Wisconsin Library Hall of Fame. She is being honored for her almost fifty years of work on behalf of youth librarians and youth in the state and nationally. You can read more about her accomplishments here

Both honors will be given at the WLA Awards and Honors banquet on Thursday evening October 30 at 6:30 pm at the Marriot West conference center. 

For those not attending the banquet, there will be a chance to join some of the honorees at an informal get-together starting at 8:45 pm following the banquet at the Marriott’s bar hosted by Jamie Matczak and Marge Loch-Wouters. We hope to see many youth folks there to celebrate!




Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Tuesday Tips: Recent Awards to Celebrate

Sam Jones is the Youth Services Librarian at the Beaver Dam Public Library. Today she shares a tip on a wonderful resource to be aware of.

Last week, there were two award ceremonies. On the 22nd, The Horn Book announced the 2022 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards winners. This was the award's 55th year! The award has three categories: picture books, poetry and fiction, and nonfiction. Elissa Gershowitz at The Horn Book says, "Young people today are living through history. This selection of winners and honorees so beautifully captures this shared moment and the extraordinary issues young people face. At a time of increased book bans and challenges, it’s vital for readers to have access to thought-provoking, mind-expanding, worldview-questioning titles such as these.” 


The second award is the Walter Dean Myers Awards for Outstanding Children's Literature, which was presented on the 23rd. This award is through the We Need Diverse Books organization. The winners of this award have to have been written by a diverse author and contain a diverse main character or discuss diversity if there is no main character. They have awards for a teen category and young adult category. Firekeeper's Daughter by Angeline Boulley won the teen category, which I was particularly excited about since it was one of my favorite reads of 2021. Borders by Thomas King and illustrated by Natasha Donovan was selected as an honor book for both the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award and the Walter Dean Myers Award. 

Both of these awards recognized some great books, so be sure to check out the winners and honorees (and maybe consider adding them to your collection if they aren't already) 

Monday, January 17, 2022

Watch Live - ALA Big Youth Awards Announcements!


From a recent ALA press release:

Each year the American Library Association (ALA) honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, the ALA Youth Media Awards (YMA), including the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, Printz, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards, guide parents, educators, librarians, and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media.

The 2022 Youth Media Award announcements will take place virtually on Monday, Jan. 24, 2022, at 8 a.m. CT  during LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience, a completely new conference experience based on years of research, exploration, and feedback from industry partners, event planning experts, and most importantly, ALA members. A live video stream will be available at https://ala.unikron.com/

The 2022 announcements will include ALA Affiliate Awards including the Asian/Pacific American Awards for LiteratureSydney Taylor Book Award, and The biennial American Indian Youth Literature Award.

Click here to read more about each award as well as how to celebrate the Newbery's 100th Anniversary!

Monday, January 27, 2020

Hot Off the Presses - ALA Youth Media Award Honorees


The big ALA awards for children's and teens print and non-print material were announced today in Philadelphia at the ALA Midwinter meeting. Let's cheer for the marvelous book and media creators who create great content for youth. And let's cheer this vital annual focus on youth materials that bring their importance and diversity to a national audience!

PHILADELPHIA- The American Library Association (ALA) today announced the top books, video and audio books for children and young adults – including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards – at its Midwinter Meeting in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

A list of all the 2020 award winners follows:

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature:

“New Kid,” written by Jerry Craft, is the 2020 Newbery Medal winner. The book is illustrated by the author and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.

Four Newbery Honor Books also were named: “The Undefeated,” written by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Kadir Nelson and published by Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; “Scary Stories for Young Foxes,” written by Christian McKay Heidicker, illustrated by Junyi Wu and published by Henry Holt and Company, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group; “Other Words for Home,” written by Jasmine Warga and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; and “Genesis Begins Again,” written by Alicia D. Williams and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book.

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children:
“The Undefeated,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson is the 2020 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Kwame Alexander and published by Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Three Caldecott Honor Books also were named: “Bear Came Along,” illustrated by LeUyen Pham, written by Richard T. Morris and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group; “Double Bass Blues,” illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez, written by Andrea J. Loney and published by Alfred A. Knopf, a division of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC; and “Going Down Home with Daddy,” illustrated by Daniel Minter, written by Kelly Starling Lyons and published by Peachtree Publishers. 

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African-American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:

“New Kid” written by Jerry Craft, is the King Author Book winner. The book is illustrated by the author and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers.

Three King Author Honor Books were selected: “The Stars and the Blackness Between Them,” written by Junauda Petrus and published by Dutton Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC; “Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky,” written by Kwame Mbalia and published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group; and “Look Both Ways: A Tale Told in Ten Blocks,” written by Jason Reynolds and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award:

“The Undefeated,” illustrated by Kadir Nelson, is the King Illustrator Book winner. The book is written by Kwame Alexander and published by Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

Three King Illustrator Honor Books were selected: “The Bell Rang,” illustrated by James E. Ransome, written by the illustrator and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book; “Infinite Hope: A Black Artist’s Journey from World War II to Peace,” illustrated by Ashley Bryan, written by the illustrator and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book; and “Sulwe,” illustrated by Vashti Harrison, written by Lupita Nyong’o and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award:

“Genesis Begins Again,” written by Alicia D. Williams, is the Steptoe author award winner. The book is published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, a Caitlyn Dlouhy Book.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award:

“What Is Given from the Heart,” illustrated by April Harrison, is the Steptoe illustrator award winner. The book is written by Patricia C. McKissack and published by Schwartz & Wade Books, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement:

Mildred D. Taylor is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton.

Born in Mississippi in 1943 and raised in Ohio, Taylor resides in Colorado. “Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry” won the 1977 Newbery Award and a Coretta Scott King Book Award honor. Taylor received the international 2003 inaugural NSK Neustadt Prize for Children's Literature. Her books earned national recognition including four CSK author awards and two author honors. Her 2020 Logan family series conclusion “All the Days Past, All the Days to Come” continues addressing systemic injustice, entrenched inequality and the roots of racism.

Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:

“Dig,” written by A.S. King, is the 2020 Printz Award winner. The book is published by Dutton Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House.

Four Printz Honor Books also were named: “The Beast Player,” written by Nahoko Uehashi, translated by Cathy Hirano and published by Godwin Books/Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; “Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me,” written by Mariko Tamaki, illustrated by Rosemary Valero-O’Connell and published by First Second/Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group; “Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir,” written by Nikki Grimes and published by Wordsong, an imprint of Boyds Mills & Kane; and “Where the World Ends,” written by Geraldine McCaughrean and published by Flatiron Books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers.

Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:

“Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You,” written by Sonia Sotomayor, illustrated by Rafael López and published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC, wins the award for young children (ages 0 to 10). One honor book for Young Children was selected: “A Friend for Henry,” written by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song and published by Chronicle Books LLC.

“Song for a Whale,” written by Lynne Kelly and published by Delacorte Press, an imprint of Random House Children’s Book, a division of Penguin Random House LLC, is the winner for middle grades (ages 11-13). One honor book for middle grades was selected: “Each Tiny Spark,” written by Pablo Cartaya and published by Kokila Penguin Young Readers Group, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC.

“Cursed,” written by Karol Ruth Silverstein and published by Charlesbridge, is the winner for teens (ages 13-18). One honor book for teens was selected: “The Silence Between Us,” written by Alison Gervais and published by Blink.

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences:

A Boy and His Dog at the End of the World,” By C.A. Fletcher, Published by Orbit, a division of Hachette Group
“Do You Dream of Terra-Two?” By Temi Oh, Published by Saga Press/Gallery Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc.

Dominicana,” By Angie Cruz, Published by Flatiron Books, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers

Gender Queer: A Memoir,” By Maia Kobabe, Published by Lion Forge, an imprint of Oni Press

High School,” By Sara Quin and Tegan Quin, Published by MCD, a division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers

In Waves,” By AJ Dungo, Published by Nobrow

Middlegame,” By Seanan McGuire, Published by Tor.com Publishing, an imprint of Tom Doherty Associates, a division of Macmillan

“The Nickel Boys,” By Colson Whitehead, Published by Doubleday, a division of Penguin Random House

Red, White & Royal Blue” By Casey McQuiston, Published by St. Martin’s Griffin, a division of St. Martin’s Publishing Group, an imprint of Macmillan Publishers

The Swallows,” By Lisa Lutz, Published by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Random House, a division of Penguin Random House

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. The 2020 winner is Kevin Henkes, whose award-winning works include “Kitten’s First Full Moon” which won the Caldecott Award in 2005 and “The Year of Billy Miller,” recipient of a Newbery Honor in 2014. In addition, Henkes has received two Geisel honors, two Caldecott honors and a second Newbery honor.

Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults:

The 2020 winner is Steve Sheinkin. His books include: “Bomb: The Race to Build-and Steal-the World's Most Dangerous Weapon,” “The Port Chicago 50: Disaster, Mutiny, and the Fight for Civil Rights,” and “The Notorious Benedict Arnold: A True Story of Adventure, Heroism, & Treachery,” all published by Roaring Brook Press, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group, and “Lincoln's Grave Robbers,” published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.

2020 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture Award recognizing an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children's literature, who then presents a lecture at a winning host site.

Dr. Rudine Sims Bishop will deliver the 2021 Children’s Literature Lecture. Dr. Sims Bishop, Professor Emerita at The Ohio State University, has served on numerous noteworthy committees for ALA and other organizations, and has been recognized with prestigious awards for her work. Her research, writing, and teaching have informed and expanded conversations about representation of African Americans in children's literature and provided a critical framework for research and pedagogy. Her essay, "Mirrors, Windows, and Sliding Glass Doors," is not only cited globally, it has inspired shifts in publishing, teaching, and the inclusion of authentic, diverse voices in literature for children and teens.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award for an outstanding children’s book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States:

“Brown” is the 2020 Batchelder Award winner. Originally published in Norwegian as “Brune,” the book was written by Håkon Øvreås, illustrated by Øyvind Torseter, translated by Kari Dickson and published by Enchanted Lion Books.

Four Honor Books also were selected: “The Beast Player,” published by Godwin Books/Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group, written by Nahoko Uehashi, illustrated by Yuta Onoda and translated from the Japanese by Cathy Hirano; “The Distance Between Me and the Cherry Tree,” published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division, written by Paola Peretti, illustrated by Carolina Rabei, translated from the Italian by Denise Muir; “Do Fish Sleep?” published by Enchanted Lion Books, written by Jens Raschke, illustrated by Jens Rassmus, translated from the German by Belinda Cooper; and “When Spring Comes to the DMZ,” published by Plough Publishing House, written by Uk-Bae Lee, illustrated by the author, translated from the Korean by Chungyon Won and Aileen Won.

Odyssey Award for best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States:

“Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction,” produced by Scholastic Audiobooks, is the 2020 Odyssey Award winner. The book is written by Jarrett J. Krosoczka and narrated by the author, Jeanne Birdsall, Jenna Lamia, Richard Ferrone and a full cast.

Four Odyssey Honor Audiobooks also were selected:

“Redwood and Ponytail,” produced by Hachette Audio, written by K.A. Holt and narrated by Cassandra Morris and Tessa Netting; “Song for a Whale,” produced by Listening Library, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, written by Lynne Kelly and narrated by Abigail Revasch with the author; “We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga,” produced by Live Oak Media, written by Traci Sorell and narrated by Lauren Hummingbird, Agalisiga (Choogie) Mackey, Ryan Mackey, Traci Sorell, Tonia Weavel; “We’re Not from Here,” produced by Listening Library, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, written by Geoff Rodkey and narrated by Dani Martineck.

Pura Belpré Awards honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience:

“Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln,” illustrated by Rafael López, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner. The book was written by Margarita Engle and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing Division.

Three Belpré Illustrator Honor Books were named:

"Across the Bay,” illustrated by Carlos Aponte, written by the illustrator and published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC; "My Papi Has a Motorcycle," illustrated by Zeke Peña, written by Isabel Quintero and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House LLC; and "¡Vamos! Let’s Go to the Market," illustrated by Raúl Gonzalez, written by the author and published by Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.

“Sal and Gabi Break the Universe,” written by Carlos Hernandez, is the Pura Belpré Author Award winner. The book is published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group.

Four Belpré Author Honor Books was named:

"Lety Out Loud," written by Angela Cervantes and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic Inc.; "The Other Half of Happy," written by Rebecca Balcárcel and published by Chronicle Books; "Planting Stories: The Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré," written by Anika Aldamuy Denise, illustrated by Paola Escobar and published by HarperCollins Children’s Books, a division of HarperCollins Publishers; and "Soldier for Equality: José de la Luz Sáenz and the Great War," written by Duncan Tonatiuh, illustrated by the author and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, an imprint of ABRAMS.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children:

“Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story,” written by Kevin Noble Maillard and illustrated by Juana Martinez-Neal, is the Sibert Award winner. The book is published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing Holdings.

Four Sibert Honor Books were named:

"All in a Drop: How Antony van Leeuwenhoek Discovered an Invisible World," written by Lori Alexander, illustrated by Vivien Mildenberger and published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt; "This Promise of Change: One Girl’s Story in the Fight for School Equality," written by Jo Ann Allen Boyce and Debbie Levy and published by Bloomsbury Children's Books; "Ordinary Hazards: A Memoir," written by Nikki Grimes and published by WordSong, an imprint of Highlights; and "Hey, Water!" written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis and published by Neal Porter Books, Holiday House.

The Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award is given to a digital media producer that has created distinguished digital media for an early learning audience.

The 2020 in Early Learning Digital Media Award winner is Molly of Denali, produced by PBS Kids.

The committee selected two honor recipients including “Seek," produced by iNaturalist, and “States of Matter by Tinybop,” produced by Tinybop, Inc. 

Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience:

“When Aidan Became a Brother,” written by Kyle Lukoff, illustrated by Kaylani Juanita and published by Lee & Low Books Inc. and “The Black Flamingo,” written by Dean Atta, illustrated by Anshika Khullar and published by Hodder Children’s Books, an imprint of Hachette Children’s Group, part of Hodder and Stoughton are the 2020 recipients of the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award.

Three Honor Books were selected:

“Pet,” written by Akwaeke Emezi and published by Make Me a World, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House LLC; “Like a Love Story,” written by Abdi Nazemian and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, and “The Best at It,” written by Maulik Pancholy and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book is:

“Stop! Bot!” written and illustrated by James Yang. The book is published by Viking, Penguin Young Readers.

Three Geisel Honor Books were named: 

“Chick and Brain: Smell My Foot!” written and illustrated by Cece Bell and published by Candlewick Press; “Flubby Is Not a Good Pet!” written and illustrated by J. E. Morris and published by Penguin Workshop, an imprint of Penguin Random House; and “The Book Hog,” written and illustrated by Greg Pizzoli and published by Disney-Hyperion, an imprint of Disney Book Group.

William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:

“The Field Guide to the North American Teenager,” written by Ben Philippe, is the 2020 Morris Award winner. The book is published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Four other books were finalists for the award:  

“The Candle and the Flame,” written by Nafiza Azad and published by Scholastic Press, an imprint of Scholastic; “Frankly in Love,” written by David Yoon and published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House; “Genesis Begins Again,” written by Alicia D. Williams and published by Atheneum/Caitlyn Dlouhy Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing; and “There Will Come a Darkness,” written by Katy Rose Pool and published by Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: 

“Free Lunch,” written by Rex Ogle, is the 2020 Excellence winner. The book is published by Norton Young Readers, an imprint of W.W. Norton & Company.

Four other books were finalists for the award: 

"The Great Nijinsky: God of Dance," written and illustrated by Lynn Curlee and published by Charlesbridge Teen; "A Light in the Darkness: Janusz Korczak, His Orphans, and the Holocaust," written by Albert Marrin and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House; "A Thousand Sisters: The Heroic Airwomen of the Soviet Union in World War II," written by Elizabeth Wein and published by Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers; and "Torpedoed: The True Story of the World War II Sinking of 'The Children's Ship'," written by Deborah Heiligman and published by Henry Holt, an imprint of Macmillan Children’s Publishing Group.


Asian/Pacific American Award for LiteratureThe award promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit. The award offers three youth categories including Picture Book, Children’s Literature and Young Adult Literature.  The award is administered by the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association (APALA), an affiliate of the American Library Association.  This year’s winners include:
The Picture Book winner is “Queen of Physics: How Wu Chien Shiung Helped Unlock the Secrets of the Atom,” written by Teresa Robeson, illustrated by Rebecca Huang and published by Sterling Children's Books. The committee selected one Picture Book honor title: “Bilal Cooks Daal,” written by Aisha Saeed, illustrated by Anoosha Syed and published by Salaam Reads/Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
The Children’s Literature winner is “Stargazing,” written by Jen Wang and published by First Second, an imprint of Macmillan Children's Publishing Group. The committee selected one children’s literature honor title: “I’m Ok, written by Patti Kim and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.
The Young Adult Literature winner is “They Called Us Enemy,” written by George Takei, Justin Eisinger and Steven Scottillustrated by Harmony Becker and published by Top Shelf Productions, an imprint of IDW Publishing. The committee selected one Young Adult Literature honor title: “Frankly in Love,” written by David Yoon and published by G. P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Young Readers, a division of Penguin Random House LLC.
The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature. This year’s winners include: 

The Picture Book winner is “The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come,” by Sue Macy, illustrated by Stacy Innerst and published by Paula Wiseman Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster. Two Picture Book honor books were selected: “Gittel’s Journey,” by Lesléa Newman, illustrated by Amy June Bates and published by Abrams Books for Young Readers, and “The Key from Spain: Flory Jagoda and Her Music,”  by Debbie Levy, illustrated by Sonja Wimmer and published by Kar-Ben Publishing, a division of Lerner Publishing Group.

The Middle Grade winner is “White Bird: A Wonder Story,” by R. J. Palacio and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Two Middle Grade honor books were selected: “Anya and the Dragon,” by Sofiya Pasternack and published by Versify, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and “Games of Deception: The True Story of the First U.S. Olympic Basketball Team at the 1936 Olympics in Hitler’s Germany,” by Andrew Maraniss and published by Philomel Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

The Young Adult winner is “Someday We Will Fly,” by Rachel DeWoskin and published by Viking Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House. Two Young Adult honor books were selected: “Dissenter on the Bench: Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Life and Work,” by Victoria Ortiz and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of Houghton Mifflin Harcourt, and “Sick Kids in Love,” by Hannah Moskowitz and published by Entangled Teen, an imprint of Entangled Publishing LLC.

The American Indian Youth Literature award is announced in even years and established to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. The award is administered by the American Indian Library Association (AILA), an affiliate of the American Library Association.  Additional information regarding the American Indian Youth Literature Award is available at ailanet.org. This year’s winners include:

The Picture Book winner is “Bowwow Powwow: Bagosenjige-niimi’idim,” written by Brenda J. Child (Red Lake Ojibwe), translated into Ojibwe by Gordon Jourdain (Lac La Croix First Nation), illustrated by Jonathan Thunder (Red Lake Ojibwe) and published by the Minnesota Historical Society Press.

The committee selected five Picture Book Honor titles including: “Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story,” written by Kevin Noble Maillard (Seminole Nation, Mekusukey Band), illustrated by Juana Martínez-Neal (Peruvian-American) and published by Roaring Brook Press / Macmillan; “Birdsong,” written and illustrated by Julie Flett (Cree-Métis) and published by Greystone Kids; “At the Mountain’s Base,” written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee), illustrated by Weshoyot Alvitre (Tongva/Scots-Gaelic), and published by Kokila / Penguin Random House; “We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga,” written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee), illustrated by Frané Lessac, and published by Charlesbridge; and “Raven Makes the Aleutians,” adapted from a traditional Tlingit story and illustrated by Janine Gibbons (Haida, Raven of the Double-Finned Killer Whale clan, Brown Bear House) and published by Sealaska Heritage.

The Middle Grade Book winner is “Indian No More,” written by Charlene Willing McManis (Umpqua/Confederated Tribes of Grande Ronde) with Traci Sorell (Cherokee), cover art by Marlena Myles (Spirit Lake Dakota, Mohegan, Muscogee Creek), published by Tu Books / Lee & Low.

The committee selected two Middle Grade Book Honor titles including: “I Can Make This Promise,” written by Christine Day (Upper Skagit), with cover art by Michaela Goade (Tlingit, Kiks.ádi clan, Steel House), published by HarperCollins; and “The Grizzly Mother,” written by Hetxw’ms Gyetxw (“Brett D. Huson,” Gitxsan), illustrated by Natasha Donovan (Métis Nation of British Columbia), and published by Highwater Press.

The Young Adult Book winner is “Hearts Unbroken,” written by Cynthia Leitich Smith (Muscogee) and published by Candlewick Press.

The committee selected four Young Adult Book Honor titles including: “Surviving the City,” written by Tasha Spillett (Nehiyaw-Trinidadian), illustrated by Natasha Donovan (Métis Nation of British Columbia), and published by Highwater Press; “Reawakening Our Ancestors’ Lines: Revitalizing Inuit Traditional Tattooing,” gathered and compiled by Angela Hovak Johnston (Inuk), with photography by Cora De Vos (Inuk), published by Inhabit Media; “An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young People,” written by Debbie Reese (Nambé Owingeh) and Jean Mendoza adapted from the adult book by Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz, published by Beacon Press; and “Apple in the Middle,” written by Dawn Quigley (Ojibwe, Turtle Mountain Band) and published by North Dakota State University Press.

Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children’s experts, the awards encourage original and creative work.  For more information on the ALA youth media awards and notables, please visit www.ala.org/yma .