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.
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 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 Award recognizes an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults:
- Coretta Scott King Author Book Award: “Nigeria Jones” by Ibi Zoboi
- Coretta Scott King—John Steptoe New Talent Author Award: “There Goes the Neighborhood” by Jade Adia
William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens:
- Award Winner: “Rez Ball” by Byron Graves
Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults:
- Award Winner: “The Collectors: Stories” edited by A. S. King and 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
Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.
- Middle-Grade Winner: “The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman” by Mari Lowe
- Young Adult Winner: “The Blood Years” by Elana K. Arnold
Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience:
- Middle-Grade Winner: “The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn” by Sally J. Pla
- Young Adult Winner: “Forever Is Now” by Mariama J. Lockington
Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award is given annually to children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience:
- Award Winner: “Cross My Heart and Never Lie” written and illustrated by Nora Dåsnes
- Young Adult Winner: “Only This Beautiful Moment” by Abdi Nazemian
YALSA (Young Adult Library Services Association) Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults honors the best nonfiction book published for those ages 12-18.
- Award Winner: “Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed” by Dashka Slater
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit. The award offers three youth categories—picture book, children’s literature, and youth literature—and is administered by the Asian/Pacific American Librarians Association, an affiliate of the American Library Association.
- Award Winner: “I’d Rather Burn Than Bloom” by Shannon C. F. Rogers
American Indian Youth Literature Awards are announced in even years and were established to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America. Selected titles present Indigenous peoples in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts.
- Middle-Grade Winner: “We Still Belong” by Christine Day
- Young Adult Winner: “Rez Ball” by Byron Graves
Alex Award winners are the 10 best adult books that appeal to a teen audience. You can find the full list of winners here.
