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December 21, 2023
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February 1, 20242024 ALA Award-Winners List + FREE Award-Book Pane + Chance to Win
THIS YEAR'S AWARD-WINNERS reminded me a lot about the talented creatives that produce books: the authors and illustrators (and those who do both), as well as the agents and editors that get behind books and rally them to the bookshelf.
Arthur Levine, Levine Querido, award-winning Harry Potter editor, posted titles in many categories. Cynthia Leitich Smith, author-curator of the Heartdrum Imprint showed us that identifying and respecting cultural talent is a worthy ambition.
Our Caldecott Winner, Vashti Harrison, who carved out an emotional story connecting the profound magic of art and words, is one to watch. Our 2024 Newbery Medalist, David Eggers, gives us a new perspective on life—through the eyes of an unexpected narrator. Our Sibert Medalist, Dashka Slater gives us another mind-spinning true story about how social media changes lives in an instant—a warning about social media use and how it may impact others.
Celebrating A Year of Powerful Word-Image Creations
Newbery
John Newbery Medal
The Eyes and the Impossible, written by Dave Eggers and illustrated by Shawn Harris (Knopf Books for Young Readers & McSweeney’s), is the 2024 Newbery Medal winner.
Five Newbery Honor Books Selected
- Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson (Roaring Brook Press)
- Elf Dog and Owl Head by M. T. Anderson, illustrated by Junyi Wu, (Candlewick Press)
- Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, by Pedro Martín (Dial Books for Young Readers)
- Simon Sort of Says, by Erin Bow (Disney Hyperion)
- The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams, by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Daniel Miyares (Levine Querido)
Caldecott
Randolph Caldecott Medal
Big, illustrated and written by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown and Company) , is the 2024 Caldecott Medal winner.
Five Caldecott Honor Books Selected
- In Every Life by Marla Frazee (Beach Lane Books)
- Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter, illustrated by Molly Mendoza, written by Aida Salazar (Scholastic Press)
- There Was a Party for Langston, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds (Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
- The Truth About Dragons, illustrated by Hanna Cha, written by Julie Leung (Henry Holt and Company)
King Author
Coretta Scott King Author Awards
Nigeria Jones, written by Ibi Zoboi, is the King Author Book winner (Balzer + Bray, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers).
Three Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books Selected
- Big by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown and Company)
- How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Candlewick Press)
- Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford (Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
King Illustrator
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
An American Story, illustrated by Dare Coulter, written by Kwame Alexander (Little, Brown and Company) is the King Illustrator Book winner.
Three Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books Selected
- Big by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown and Company)
- Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes, illustrated by Shannon Wright, written by Traci N. Todd (Orchard Books)
- There Was a Party for Langston, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarret Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds (Caitlyn Dlouhy Books/Atheneum Books for Young Readers)
New Talent
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award
There Goes the Neighborhood by Jade Adia, is the Steptoe author award winner (Hyperion/Buena Vista Books).
New Talent
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award
We Could Fly, illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, written by Rhiannon Giddens (Candlewick Press), is the Steptoe illustrator award winner.
Lifetime
Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement
Christopher Paul Curtis 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. As a historical fiction novelist, Curtis writes for emerging readers to understand the world around them. His novels have received numerous starred reviews and awards throughout ALA, like ALSC Notables, Odyssey, and YALSA Best Books for Young Adults.
Printz
Michael L. Printz Award
The Collectors: Stories, edited by A.S. King, written by M.T. Anderson, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, A.S. King, David Levithan, Cory McCarthy, Anna-Marie McLemore, G. Neri, Jason Reynolds, Randy Ribay and Jenny Torres Sanchez, published by Dutton, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Four Michael L. Printz Honor Books Selected
- Fire from the Sky by Moa Backe Åstot, translated by Eva Apelqvist (Em Querido, an imprint of Levine Querido)
- Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow (Candlewick Press)
- The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption by Shannon Gibney (Dutton Books)
- Salt the Water by Candice Iloh (Dutton Books)
Schneider
Schneider Family Book Award
The book that best embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience: Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song and published by Chronicle Books wins the award for young children (ages 0 to 8).
Two Schneider Young Children Honor Books Selected
- Dancing Hands by Joanna Que and Charina Marquez, illustrated by Fran Alvarez (Chronicle Books)
- What Happened to You? by James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George (Little, Brown and Company)
Schneider
Schneider Family Book Award (Middle Grades)
The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla and published by Quill Tree Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers is the winner for middle grades (ages 9 to 13).
Two Schneider Middle Grade Honor Books Selected
- Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt (Scholastic Press)
- Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow (Disney • Hyperion)
Schneider
Schneider Family Books Award (Young Adult)
Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington and published by Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group, is the winner for teens (ages 14-18).
Two Schneider Teen Honor Books Selected
- Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest (Scholastic Press)
- Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings (Wednesday Books)
Alex
Alex Awards
Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences named and the 2024 Alex Award winners are:
Ten Best Teen to Adult Crossover Books Selected
- Bad Cree by Jessica Johns (Doubleday)
- Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah, (Pantheon Books)
- Chlorine by Jade Song, (William Morrow)
- Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros (Red Tower Books, Entangled Publishing)
- The Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph by Oksana Masters (Scribner/Simon & Schuster)
- I Will Greet the Sun Again by Khashayar J. Khabushani, (Hogarth Press)
- Maame by Jessica George, (St. Martin’s Press)
- Starter Villain by John Scalzi, (Tor Books)
- The Talk by Darrin Bell, (Henry Holt & Company)
- Whalefall by Daniel Kraus, (MTV Books/Atria Books)
ALSC
Kyle Lukoff, ALSC Children's Literature Lecture
The ALSC Children's Literature Lecture is an annual event featuring an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children’s literature. Author Kyle Lukoff will deliver the 2025 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture.
Lukoff's Books Include
- Newbery Honor Book, Stonewall Award winner and National Book Award finalist,Too Bright to See
- Stonewall Book Award winner, When Aidan Became a Brother
- If You’re a Kid Like Gavin: The True Story of a Young Trans Activist
- Different Kinds of Fruit
Legacy
Children’s Literature Legacy Award
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 2024 winner is Pam Muñoz Ryan. Her award-winning works include these notable titles.
Notable Award Books Selected
- 2002 Pura Belpré Author Award for Esperanza Rising
- 2011 Pura Belpré Author Award for The Dreamer
- 2016 Newbery Honor for Echo
- 2003 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Honor for When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson
Batchelder
Mildred L. Batchelder Award
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: Houses with a Story: A Dragon’s Den, a Ghostly Mansion, a Library of Lost Books, and 30 More Amazing Places to Explore is the 2024 Batchelder Award winner. Originally published in Japanese as Houses with a Story, the book was written by Seiji Yoshida, illustrated by Seiji Yoshida, translated by Jan Mitsuko Cash and published by Amulet Books, an imprint of Abrams.
Three Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Books Selected
- The House of the Lost on the Cape, published by Yonder, an imprint of Restless Books, written by Sachiko Kashiwaba, illustrated by Yukiko Saito and translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa
- Later, When I’m Big, published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers, written by Bette Westera, illustrated by Mattias De Leeuw and translated by Laura Watkinson
- Pardalita, published by Levine Querido, written and illustrated by Joana Estrela and translated by Lyn Miller-Lachmann
Odyssey
Odyssey Award
Odyssey Award for the best audiobooks produced for children and young adults, available in English in the United States: El Deafo, produced by Matie Argiropoulos for Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio, written by Cece Bell and narrated by a full cast, is the 2024 Odyssey Award winner for children. Promise Boys, produced by Macmillan Young Listeners, a Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company, written by Nick Brooks and narrated by a full cast.
Five Odyssey Honor Audiobooks Selected
- Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods, produced by Ghenet Harvey (Hachette Audio)
- Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, produced by Diane McKiernan and Olivia Langen (Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group)
- Once There Was, produced by Allison Light (Simon & Schuster Audio)
- Sisters of the Lost Marsh, produced by Paul R. Gagne (Scholastic Audio)
- Stateless, produced by Elece Green and Dennis Kao (Hachette Audiobooks)
Belpré
Pura Belpré Illustrator Awards
Honoring Latinx writers and illustrators whose children's and young adult books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience is Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, written and illustrated by Pedro Martín, is the 2024 Pura Belpré Youth Illustration Award winner (Dial Books for Young Readers).
Three Pura Belpré Youth Illustrator Honor Books Selected
- Mi papá es un agrícola/My Father, the Farmworker, illustrated by José B. Ramírez, written by J. Roman Pérez Varela (Lil’ Libros)
- Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz, written by Jesús Trejo (Minerva/Astra Books for Young Readers)
- Remembering, illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia, written by Xelena González (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
Belpré
Pura Belpré Author Awards
Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, written by Pedro Martín, is the 2024 Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award winner. The book is illustrated by Pedro Martín and published by Dial Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Penguin Random House.
Five Pura Belpré Youth Author Honor Books Selected
- Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera (Levine Querido)
- Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez (Dial Books for Young Readers)
- Benita y las Criaturas Nocturnas by Mariana Llanos, illustrated by Cocoretto and (Barefoot Books)
- Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz (Minerva/Astra Books for Young Readers)
- Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango (Random House Children's Books)
Belpré
Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award
Saints of the Household, written by Ari Tison, is the 2024 Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award winner (Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers).
Two Pura Belpré Youth Author Honor Books Selected
- The Prince and the Coyote by David Bowles, illustrated by Amanda Mijangos (Arthur A. Levine/Levine Querido)
- Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey, by Edel Rodriguez (Metropolitan Books/Henry Holt and Company)
Sibert
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children: The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Day and illustrated by Brett Helquist, is the 2024 Sibert Award winner (Random House Studio).
Four Sibert Honor Books Selected
- The Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Matt Patterson (Clarion Books/HarperCollins Publishers)
- Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes by Traci N. Todd, illustrated by Shannon Wright (Orchard Books/ Scholastic)
- Jumper: A Day in the Life of the Backyard Jumping Spider written and illustrated by Jessica Lanan (Roaring Brook Press)
- Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandler (Astra Young Readers)
Stonewall
Stonewall Book Children's Awards
Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience is Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes, translated by Matt Bagguley (Hippo Park, an imprint of Astra Books for Young Readers).
Four Stonewall Children's Honor Books Selected
- Desert Queen by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli (Levine Querido)
- Not He or She, I’m Me by A. M. Wild, illustrated by Kah Yangni (Henry Holt and Company)
- The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans (Bloomsbury Children’s Books)
- Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton, illustrated by Aśka (Graphix/ Scholastic)
Stonewall
Stonewall Book Young Adult Awards
The 2024 recipient of the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Young Adult Literature Award is Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins Publishers)
Four Stonewall Young Adult Literature Honor Books Selected
- Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa (Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Publishing Group)
- Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli (Balzer + Bray,/HarperCollins Publishers)
- The Long Run by James Acker (Inkyard Press)
- The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White (Peachtree Teen)
Geisel
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
The 2024 Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner for the most distinguished beginning reader book, is Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins).
Two Geisel Honor Books Selected
- Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song (Chronicle Books)
- Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends by Kaz Windness (Simon Spotlight)
Morris
William C. Morris Award
The 2024 William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens is Rez Ball by Byron Graves (Heartdrum/HarperCollins Publishers).
William C. Morris Honor Books Selected
- All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr (Amulet Books/Abrams)
- Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef (Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers)
- Saints of the Household by Ari Tison (Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers/Macmillan)
- She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran (Bloomsbury YA)
YALSA
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slater (Farrar Straus Giroux Books for Young Readers/Macmillan).
Four YALSA Award Honor Books Selected
- America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History by Ariel Aberg-Riger (Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins Publishers)
- Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam by Thien Pham (First Second Books/Roaring Brook Press)
- From Here by Luma Mufleh (Nancy Paulsen Books/Penguin Random House)
- Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself by Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge (Zest Books/Lerner Publishing)
Indian
American Indian Youth Literature Awards
Two Picture Book Awards
- Forever Cousins by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Charlesbridge)
- A Letter for Bob by Kim Rogers, illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Heartdrum/HarperCollins Publishers)
Two Picture Book Awards
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Celebration by Lily Hope, illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote (Sealaska Heritage Institute)
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Contenders by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Arigon Starr (Kokila/Penguin Random House)
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Berry Song by Michaela Goade (Little, Brown and Company)
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Remember by Joy Harjo, illustrated by Michaela Goade (Random House Studio)
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Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Heartdrum)
Indian
American Indian Youth Literature Awards - Middle Grade
We Still Belong by Christine Day, cover art by Madelyn Goodnight (Heartdrum/HarperCollins Publishers)
Middle Grade Honor Books selected
- Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson (Roaring Brook Press)
- Mascot by Traci Sorell and Charles Waters (Charlesbridge)
- Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants by Dawn Quigley, illustrated by Tara Audibert (Heartdrum)
- Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day by Dawn Quigley, illustrated by Tara Audibert (Heartdrum)
- She Persisted: Maria Tallchief by Christine Day, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Philomel Books)
- She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Philomel Books,)
- She Persisted: Deb Haaland by Laurel Goodluck, illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Philomel Books)
Indian
American Indian Literary Association - Young Adult
Rez Ball by Byron Graves, jacket art by Natasha Donovan (Heartdrum/HarperCollins)
Young Adult Honor Books:
- Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley, jacket illustrations by Michaela Goade (Henry Holt and Company)
- Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline (Tundra Books)
- Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers, illustrated by Jeff Edwards (Levine Querido)
- Running with Changing Woman by Lorinda Martinez (Salina Bookshelf)
- Heroes of the Water Monster by Brian Young (Heartdrum)
Asian
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature - Picture Books
The award promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit. The award offers three categories. The Picture Book winner is The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung, illustrated by Hanna Cha (Henry Holt and Company).
One Picture Book Honor Selected
- Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans, illustrated by Thi Bui (HarperCollins)
Asian
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature - Middle Grade
Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li (Quill Tree Books).
One Middle Grade Honor selected
- Parachute Kids: A Graphic Novel by Betty C. Tang (Graphix/Scholastic)
Asian
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature - Young Adult
The Young Adult Literature winner is I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom by Shannon C. F. Rogers (Feiwel and Friends).
One Young Adult Honor selected
- In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee (First Second)
Taylor
Sydney Taylor Book Award - Picture Book
Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. This year's Picture Book winner us Two New Years by Richard Ho, illustrated by Lynn Scurfield (Chronicle Books).
Three Picture Book Honor Titles selected
- Afikomen by Tziporah Cohen, illustrated by Yaara Eshet, (Groundwood Books)
- Hanukkah Upside Down by Elissa Brent Weissman, illustrated by Omer Hoffmann (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
- Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaust by Elisa Boxer, illustrated by Amy June Bates (Abrams Books for Young Readers)
Add an Award Book Explore Pane to Your Alex
Here's How
- Download Image + Award-Book.txt file
- Open /ExploreBuilder/
- Save to Desktop
- Click COG + Import
- Select TXT + Click OK.
Comment Before Feb 29th for Chance to Win
