2025 Youth Media Award Winners

It’s finally here! It’s award season … for books! Early every year, the American Library Association (ALA) hosts its annual Youth Media Awards Press Conference. At this time, authors and illustrators of children’s and young adult literature are honored for the outstanding works they have published over the last year. 

These books are selected by judging committees of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work. Below are the awards honoring distinguished books for young adult readers. Be sure to check out the book lists for the complete list of winners and honorees! 

Coretta Scott King Book

These awards honor the best books by African American authors and illustrators.

Coretta Scott King Book Winner

King Author Honors

William C. Morris Award

This award is given to the best debut young adult book.

Winner

Honors

Michael L. Printz Award

This award honors the most distinguished work of young adult literature in a year.

Winner

  • Brownstone written by Samuel Teer, illustrated by Mar Julia

Honors

The Sydney Taylor Book Award

These awards honor the best in Jewish literature, highlighting the Jewish experience, for young readers.

Gold Medalist for Middle-Grade Literature

  • “The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival” by Estelle Nadel and Sammy Savos with Bethany Strout, illustrated by Sammy Savos

Silver Medalists for Middle Grade Literature

Gold Medalist for Young Adult Literature

  • “Night Owls” by A.R. Vishny

Silver Medalists for Young Adult Literature

Schneider Family Book Award

These awards honor the best books representing the disability experience.

Schneider Middle Grade Winner

  • Popcornwritten and illustrated by Rob Harrell

Schneider Middle Grade Honor

Schneider Young Adult Winner

Schneider Young Adult Honors

Stonewall Book Awards

These awards are for excellence in LGBTQ+ books published in English. 

Stonewall Book Award for Young Adult Literature Winner

Stonewall Book Award for Young Adult Literature Honors

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults

This award honors the best in nonfiction written for young adults.

Winner

Honors

Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature

These awards honor the best in children’s literature about Asian American and Pacific Islander American culture and heritage.

Young Adult Winner

Young Adult Honors

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

These awards honor the best books published for adults but with excellent appeal to young adults.

Winner

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