Awarded biennially, the American Indian Youth Literature Award honors authors who present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity. In odd-numbered years, nominations are encouraged in fiction or nonfiction and may include graphic novels; for picture books, the award is for both author and illustrator. Awards are granted in even-numbered years. Authors/illustrators may win the American Indian Youth Literature Award in the categories Best Picture Book, Best Middle Grade Book, and Best Young Adult Book. In addition, up to five awards may be selected as Honors books in each category. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Winners - Picture Books
Forever Cousins by
In this Native American story, Kara and Amanda are best-friend cousins. Then Kara leaves the city to move back to the Rez. Will their friendship stay the same? Kara and Amanda hate not being together. Then it's time for the family reunion on the Rez. Each girl worries that the other hasn't missed her. But once they reconnect, they realize that they are still forever cousins. This story highlights the ongoing impact of the 1950s Indian Relocation Act on Native families, even today. This tender story about navigating change reminds readers that the power of friendship and family can bridge any distance.
A Letter for Bob by
With humor and heart, and brought to life by Jonathan Nelson's warm, distinctive artwork, Kim Rogers's A Letter for Bob celebrates the treasured cars that carry us through our most meaningful childhood moments. Ever since the day Mom and Dad brought Bob home from the car dealership, Bob has been a part of Katie's family. Bob has taken them all over, from powwows to vacations to time spent with faraway family. Bob has been there in sad and scary times and for some of the family's most treasured memories. But after many miles, it's time for the family to say goodbye to Bob... This humorous and tender story about a beloved family car--and all the stories and love carried along for the ride--will appeal to every kid whose family has owned a special car! Kim Rogers is the author of Just Like Grandma, illustrated by Julie Flett, which received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly and Booklist, which called it "a joyous, uplifting celebration of culture and family."
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Picture Book Honors
Rock Your Mocs by
In this happy, vibrant tribute to Rock Your Mocs Day, observed yearly on November 15, author Laurel Goodluck (Mandan, Hidatsa, and Tsimshian) and artist Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw) celebrate the joy and power of wearing moccasins--and the Native pride that comes with them. A perfect book for Native American Heritage Month, and all year round! We're stepping out and kicking it up. Wearing beauty on their feet-- as art, as tradition, with style, with pride-- kids from different Native Nations know every day is a day to ROCK YOUR MOCS! This book contains an author's note with additional information about moccasins and Rock Your Mocs day, for readers curious to learn more about intertribal pride and the joy found in different Native identities! Rock Your Mocs Day has now been extended to a week in November, and during that week, kids from all over the United States join together to show pride in their heritage.
Berry Song (Caldecott Honor Book) by
A Caldecott Honor Book! An Indie Bestseller! Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade's first self-authored picture book is a gorgeous celebration of the land she knows well and the powerful wisdom of elders. On an island at the edge of a wide, wild sea, a girl and her grandmother gather gifts from the earth. Salmon from the stream, herring eggs from the ocean, and in the forest, a world of berries. Salmonberry, Cloudberry, Blueberry, Nagoonberry. Huckleberry, Snowberry, Strawberry, Crowberry. Through the seasons, they sing to the land as the land sings to them. Brimming with joy and gratitude, in every step of their journey, they forge a deeper kinship with both the earth and the generations that came before, joining in the song that connects us all. Michaela Goade's luminous rendering of water and forest, berries and jams glows with her love of the land and offers an invitation to readers to deepen their own relationship with the earth.
Remember by
THE NATIONAL BESTSELLER * AN AMERICAN INDIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION HONOR BOOK * A BOSTON GLOBE-HORN BOOK HONOR AWARD * NAMED ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR BY School Library Journal * Publishers Weekly * The Horn Book * NPR * The Bulletin * Kirkus Reviews US Poet Laureate Joy Harjo's iconic poem "Remember," illustrated by Caldecott Medalist Michaela Goade, invites young readers to pause and reflect on the wonder of the world around them, and to remember the importance of their place in it. Remember the sky you were born under, Know each of the star's stories. Remember the moon, know who she is. Remember the sun's birth at dawn, That is the strongest point of time. So begins the picture book adaptation of the renowned poem that encourages young readers to reflect on family, nature, and their heritage. In simple and direct language, Harjo, a member of the Mvskoke Nation, urges readers to pay close attention to who they are, the world they were born into, and how all inhabitants on earth are connected. Michaela Goade, drawing from her Tlingit culture, has created vivid illustrations that make the words come alive in an engaging and accessible way. This timeless poem paired with magnificent paintings makes for a picture book that is a true celebration of life and our human role within it.
Contenders by
The true story of John Meyers and Charles Bender, who in 1911 became the first two Native pro baseball players to face off in a World Series. This picture book teaches important lessons about resilience, doing what you love in the face of injustice, and the fight for Native American representation in sports. Charles Bender grew up on the White Earth Reservation in Northwestern Minnesota. John Meyers was raised on the Cahuilla reservation in Southern California. Despite their mutual respect for each other's talents and their shared dedication to Native representation in baseball, the media was determined to pit them against each other. However, they never gave up on their dreams of being pro baseball players and didn't let the supposed rivalry created by the media or the racism they faced within the stadium stop them. They continued to break barriers and went on to play a combined total of nine championships. With text by Traci Sorell and illustrations by Arigon Starr that brings these two players to life, the stories of John Meyers and Charles Bender remain an inspiration for achieving and maintaining one's dreams in the face of prejudice.
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner - Middle Grades
We Still Belong by
A thoughtful and heartfelt middle grade novel by American Indian Youth Literature Honor-winning author Christine Day (Upper Skagit), about a girl whose hopeful plans for Indigenous Peoples' Day (and plans to ask her crush to the school dance) go all wrong--until she finds herself surrounded by the love of her Indigenous family and community at an intertribal powwow. Wesley is proud of the poem she wrote for Indigenous Peoples' Day--but the reaction from a teacher makes her wonder if expressing herself is important enough. And due to the specific tribal laws of her family's Nation, Wesley is unable to enroll in the Upper Skagit tribe and is left feeling "not Native enough." Through the course of the novel, with the help of her family and friends, she comes to embrace her own place within the Native community. Christine Day's debut, I Can Make This Promise, was an American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Book, was named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus, School Library Journal, the Chicago Public Library, and NPR, and was also picked as a Charlotte Huck Honor Book. Her sophomore novel, The Sea in Winter, was an American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Book, as well as named a Best Book of the Year by Kirkus and School Library Journal. We Still Belong is an accessible, enjoyable, and important novel from an author who always delivers.
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Middle Grades Honor Books
Eagle Drums by
**A NEWBERY HONOR BOOK** A magical realistic middle grade debut about the origin story of the Iñupiaq Messenger Feast, a Native Alaskan tradition. As his family prepares for winter, a young, skilled hunter must travel up the mountain to collect obsidian for knapping--the same mountain where his two older brothers died. When he reaches the mountaintop, he is immediately confronted by a terrifying eagle god named Savik. Savik gives the boy a choice: follow me or die like your brothers. What comes next is a harrowing journey to the home of the eagle gods and unexpected lessons on the natural world, the past that shapes us, and the community that binds us. Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson is part cultural folklore, part origin myth about the Messenger's Feast - which is still celebrated in times of bounty among the Iñupiaq. It's the story of how Iñupiaq people were given the gift of music, song, dance, community, and everlasting tradition.
Mascot by
What if a school's mascot is seen as racist, but not by everyone? In this compelling middle-grade novel in verse, two best-selling BIPOC authors tackle this hot-button issue. In Rye, Virginia, just outside Washington, DC, people work hard, kids go to school, and football is big on Friday nights. An eighth-grade English teacher creates an assignment for her class to debate whether Rye's mascot should stay or change. Now six middle schoolers--all with different backgrounds and beliefs--get involved in the contentious issue that already has the suburb turned upside down with everyone choosing sides and arguments getting ugly. Told from several perspectives, readers see how each student comes to new understandings about identity, tradition, and what it means to stand up for real change. "Waters and Sorell's plain spoken verse is always sharp and direct." -The New York Times Book Review "The kids and I are so grateful for this gift you both have given to teachers, kids, and our world." -Ms. Corgill, 5th Grade Teacher, Alabama A Publishers Weekly Best Book of 2023 A New York Public Library Best Book of 2023 A National Public Radio "Books We Love" title of 2023
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner - Young Adult
Rez Ball by
This compelling debut novel by new talent Byron Graves tells the relatable, high-stakes story of a young athlete determined to play like the hero his Ojibwe community needs him to be. These days, Tre Brun is happiest when he is playing basketball on the Red Lake Reservation high school team--even though he can't help but be constantly gut-punched with memories of his big brother, Jaxon, who died in an accident. When Jaxon's former teammates on the varsity team offer to take Tre under their wing, he sees this as his shot to represent his Ojibwe rez all the way to their first state championship. This is the first step toward his dream of playing in the NBA, no matter how much the odds are stacked against him. But stepping into his brother's shoes as a star player means that Tre can't mess up. Not on the court, not at school, and not with his new friend, gamer Khiana, who he is definitely not falling in love with. After decades of rez teams almost making it, Tre needs to take his team to state. Because if he can live up to Jaxon's dreams, their story isn't over yet. This book is published by Heartdrum, an imprint that publishes high-quality, contemporary stories about Indigenous young people in the United States and Canada.
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Young Adult Honors
Warrior Girl Unearthed by
An Instant New York Times bestseller! A #1 Indies Bestseller! A Publisher's Lunch Best YA of 2023! An Amazon Best Book of the Year! Winner of the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award! A Horn Book Fanfare Title! A BookPage Best Book of the Year! An Indigo Teen Staff Pick of the Month! An Indie Next Pick! FIVE STARRED REVIEWS FOR WARRIOR GIRL UNEARTHED! #1 New York Times bestselling author of Firekeeper's Daughter Angeline Boulley takes us back to Sugar Island in this high-stakes thriller about the power of discovering your stolen history. Perry Firekeeper-Birch has always known who she is - the laidback twin, the troublemaker, the best fisher on Sugar Island. Her aspirations won't ever take her far from home, and she wouldn't have it any other way. But as the rising number of missing Indigenous women starts circling closer to home, as her family becomes embroiled in a high-profile murder investigation, and as greedy grave robbers seek to profit off of what belongs to her Anishinaabe tribe, Perry begins to question everything. In order to reclaim this inheritance for her people, Perry has no choice but to take matters into her own hands. She can only count on her friends and allies, including her overachieving twin and a charming new boy in town with unwavering morals. Old rivalries, sister secrets, and botched heists cannot - will not - stop her from uncovering the mystery before the ancestors and missing women are lost forever. Sometimes, the truth shouldn't stay buried. Pick this up if you love: ● high stakes heist ● will-they-won't-they romance ● family secrets spanning decades
Man Made Monsters by
WALTER DEAN MYERS AWARD WINNER AMERICAN INDIAN LIBRARY ASSOCIATION YOUTH LITERATURE HONOR INTERNATIONAL LITERACY ASSOCIATION BOOK AWARD WINNER WHIPPOORWHILL AWARD WINNER READING THE WEST BOOK AWARDS SHORTLIST NEA READ ACROSS AMERICA RECOMMENDED TITLE BEST OF THE YEAR Washington Post · Booklist Editors' Choice · Publishers Weekly · Horn Book · New York Public Library Tsalagi should never have to live on human blood, but sometimes things just happen to sixteen-year-old girls. Making her YA debut, Cherokee writer Andrea L. Rogers takes her place as one of the most striking voices of the horror renaissance that has swept the last decade. Horror fans will get their thrills in this collection - from werewolves to vampires to zombies - all the time-worn horror baddies are there. But so are predators of a distinctly American variety - the horrors of empire, of intimate partner violence, of dispossession. And so too the monsters of Rogers' imagination, that draw upon long-told Cherokee stories - of Deer Woman, fantastical sea creatures, and more. Following one extended Cherokee family across the centuries, from the tribe's homelands in Georgia in the 1830s to World War I, the Vietnam War, our own present, and well into the future, each story delivers a slice of a particular time period that will leave readers longing for more. Alongside each story, Cherokee artist and language technologist Jeff Edwards delivers haunting illustrations that incorporate Cherokee syllabary. But don't just take it from us - award-winning writer of The Only Good Indians and Mongrels Stephen Graham Jones says that "Andrea Rogers writes like the house is on fire and her words are the only thing that can put it out." Man-Made Monsters is a masterful, heartfelt, haunting collection ripe for crossover appeal - just don't blame us if you start hearing things that go bump in the night. P R A I S E ★ "Many of these stories sound as if they were passed down as family histories. It may read like speculative fiction, but it feels like truth." --Horn Book (starred) ★ "Stunning collection of short stories follows a Cherokee family through two centuries, beginning with something akin to a vampire attack and ending with zombies." --BCCB (starred) ★ "Spine-tingling...A simultaneously frightening and enthralling read." --Publishers Weekly (starred) ★ "Chilling... Exquisite... A creepy and artful exploration of a haunting heritage." --Kirkus (starred) ★ "Startling...Will leave readers--adults as well as teens--unsettled, feeling like they have caught a glimpse into a larger world." --Booklist (starred)
Heroes of the Water Monster by
An unmissable companion to Healer of the Water Monster, which won the American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award, this novel by Navajo author Brian Young tells the story of two contemporary young Navajo heroes--and one water monster--who must learn to work together to save their present world from the lasting hurts of their people's past. Edward feels ready to move in with his dad's girlfriend and her son, Nathan. He might miss having his dad all to himself, but even if things in their new home are a little awkward, living with Nathan isn't so bad. And Nathan is glad to have found a new guardian for Dew, the young water monster who has been Nathan's responsibility for two years. Now that Nathan is starting to lose his childhood connection to the Holy Beings, Edward will be the one to take over as Dew's next guardian. But Edward has a lot to learn about taking care of a water monster. And fast. Because Dew's big sister, the powerful Yitoo Bii'aanii, is coming up to Fourth World to instruct Dew after recovering in the Third World for 160 years. She suspects a monstrous and enormous Enemy from the Hero Twins stories has returned and is stealing water from all of the Navajo Nation. In their search for the Modern Enemy, Nathan, Edward, Dew, and Yitoo must confront their past and their inner selves if they are to save the Fourth World from a devastating disaster. A riveting, emotionally affecting adventure--and an American Indian Library Association Youth Literature Award Honor Book!
The Américas Award was first given in 1993 to encourage and commend authors, illustrators and publishers who produce quality children’s and young adult books that portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States, and to provide teachers with recommendations for classroom use. The Center for Latin American Studies offers up to two annual book awards, together with a commended list of titles. A list of previous winners can be found here.
The 2024 Américas Award Winners
Mexikid by
NEWBERY HONOR AWARD WINNER * An unforgettable graphic memoir about a Mexican American boy's family and their adventure-filled road trip to bring their abuelito back from Mexico "One of those books that kids will pass to their friends as soon as they have finished it."--Victoria Jamieson, creator of the National Book Award finalist When Stars Are Scattered WINNER OF THE PURA BELPRÉ AUTHOR AWARD AND ILLUSTRATOR AWARD * ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Booklist, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library Pedro Martín has grown up hearing stories about his abuelito--his legendary crime-fighting, grandfather who was once a part of the Mexican Revolution! But that doesn't mean Pedro is excited at the news that Abuelito is coming to live with their family. After all, Pedro has 8 brothers and sisters and the house is crowded enough! Still, Pedro piles into the Winnebago with his family for a road trip to Mexico to bring Abuelito home, and what follows is the trip of a lifetime, one filled with laughs and heartache. Along the way, Pedro finally connects with his abuelito and learns what it means to grow up and find his grito.
Saints of the Household by
Winner of the Pura Belpré Award and Walter Dean Myers Award for Young Adult Literature! Saints of the Household is a haunting contemporary YA about an act of violence in a small-town--beautifully told by a debut Indigenous Costa Rican-American writer--that will take your breath away. Max and Jay have always depended on one another for their survival. Growing up with a physically abusive father, the two Bribri American brothers have learned that the only way to protect themselves and their mother is to stick to a schedule and keep their heads down. But when they hear a classmate in trouble in the woods, instinct takes over and they intervene, breaking up a fight and beating their high school's star soccer player to a pulp. This act of violence threatens the brothers' dreams for the future and their beliefs about who they are. As the true details of that fateful afternoon unfold over the course of the novel, Max and Jay grapple with the weight of their actions, their shifting relationship as brothers, and the realization that they may be more like their father than they thought. They'll have to reach back to their Bribri roots to find their way forward. Told in alternating points of view using vignettes and poems, debut author Ari Tison crafts an emotional, slow-burning drama about brotherhood, abuse, recovery, and doing the right thing.
The 2024 Américas Award Honorable Mention Titles
9 Kilometers by
The United States Board on Books for Young People (USBBY) Outstanding International Books List - PreK-2 (2024) Kirkus Reviews Best Picture Books of the Year List (2023) The New York Public Library Best Books for Kids List (2023) A memorable, compelling story about the perseverance of a child and the human right to education. The sky is still dark when a young boy leaves home for school. He has a long path ahead: nine kilometers-over five-and-a-half miles-through the mountains and rain forests of Chile. But the boy doesn't mind. While he walks, he can count butterflies and lizards, and he can think about where the 15,000 steps he takes every morning could lead. Nine kilometers could bring the boy across ninety soccer fields, up the world's ten largest buildings, or into a classroom at last... Set against the lush backdrop of southern Chile, this book features one of the many children around the world who travel long distances in order to go to school. After the story, thoughtfully illustrated back matter explores the unique birds of Chile and the courage of similar students' journeys in other countries. Striking and timely, 9 Kilometers will open lasting conversations about social inequalities, the value of learning, and the resilience of those who push past obstacles toward a better future. Latin American Studies Program AmÉricas Award Honor Book (2024) The Children's Book Council Librarian FAVORITES List 3rd-5th Grade (2024) Center for the Study of Multicultural Children's Literature Best Multicultural Children's Books List (2023)
Brighter Than the Sun by
A timely and thought-provoking story about a teen girl shouldering impossibly large responsibilities and ultimately learning that she doesn't have to do it alone from the award-winning author of Indivisible. Every morning, sixteen-year-old Sol wakes up at the break of dawn in her hometown of Tijuana, Mexico and makes the trip across the border to go to school in the United States. Though the commute is exhausting, this is the best way to achieve her dream: becoming the first person in her family to go to college. When her family's restaurant starts struggling, Sol must find a part-time job in San Diego to help her dad put food on the table and pay the bills. But her complicated school and work schedules on the US side of the border mean moving in with her best friend and leaving her family behind. With her life divided by an international border, Sol must come to terms with the loneliness she hides, the pressure she feels to succeed for her family, and the fact that the future she once dreamt of is starting to seem unattainable. Mostly, she'll have to grapple with a secret she's kept even from herself: that maybe she's relieved to have escaped her difficult home life, and a part of her may never want to return.
The Arab American Book Award is a literary program created in 2006 to honor books written by and about Arab Americans. The program generates greater awareness of Arab American scholarship and writing through an annual award competition and educational outreach. Winners are announced in November each year. A list of previous winners can be found here.
2024 Arab American Book Award Winners for Children & Young Adults
Old Enough to Know by
Being the new kid is always hard, but try starting the year with a name like Mohammed Omar Mohammed Abu Srour, with a homemade lunch of humus and za'atar. On top of that, on the very first day of school, a kid tells his older hijab-wearing sister to "go back where you came from." Mohammed and his sister love their grandmother, but she thinks her stories about life in Palestine will help them with their problems. What does Grandmother's ancient history have to do with classroom bullies? She never learned to read and Mohammed can't even find Palestine on a map. Feels like fourth grade's going to last forever. Nine-year old Mohammed is facing his first week in a new city and the fourth grade at a new school. He's lonely and his desire for acceptance is threatened by a classroom bully and the intrusive curiosity of his classmates. As the week unfolds, Mohammed befriends Noah, a Chinese-American boy, and together they figure out their school survival strategies and bond over their unusual lunches, immigrant families, band practice, and love of soccer. Mohammed's tough and defiant older sister Zaynab, who wears a hijab and is also faced with harassment from other students, is torn by her desire to fit in and be a "normal" American teenager while staying true to her religion. Mohammed reaches a crisis when his fourth-grade class begins a segment on family histories. He finds himself puzzling over the absence of Palestine on the world map. Zaynab, agonizing over the dress code rules for the swim team, is on the brink of taking off her hijab. At home their grandmother, (Sitti) who came to the US from a refugee camp in Bethlehem, notices they are struggling and decides to share her story. Each day after school, through a series of vivid flashbacks told in the first person, she describes living in a peasant village west of Jerusalem in 1943, fleeing as a ten-year-old girl in 1948, and struggling for survival in a refugee camp until she decides to leave to join her oldest son in the United States. As Mohammed develops an understanding of his family, he learns that he is grounded in the US and in Palestine and comes to understand all the gifts he has received from Sitti, the stories, the food, the sense of place and dignity, the love and yearning for the land.
Homeland by
A father and his daughters may not be able to return home . . . but they can celebrate stories of their homeland! As bedtime approaches, three young girls eagerly await the return of their father who tells them stories of a faraway homeland--Palestine. Through their father's memories, the Old City of Jerusalem comes to life: the sounds of juice vendors beating rhythms with brass cups, the smell of argileh drifting through windows, and the sight of doves flapping their wings toward home. These daughters of the diaspora feel love for a place they have never been, a home they cannot visit. But, as their father's story comes to an end, they know that through his memories, they will always return. A Palestinian family celebrates the stories of their homeland in this moving autobiographical picture book debut by Hannah Moushabeck. With heartfelt illustrations by Reem Madooh, this story is a love letter to home, to family, and to the persisting hope of people that transcends borders. UNIVERSAL MESSAGE: There are so many people who long to return to their homelands but are unable to. This story will resonate with immigrant families and refugees of all ethnicities and origins, as well as anyone who yearns for home. INTERGENERATIONAL STORIES: This sweet father-daughter story celebrates the bedtime ritual of storytelling, promoting intergenerational sharing and modeling learning about family trees and family histories. A perfect read-aloud for Father's Day! PRAISE: "Hannah Moushabeck has written a marvelous, utterly transporting story describing the gentle power of precious transmitted memory and the wistfulness of immigrants, particularly those in exile from an occupied or altered place. Homeland does what decades of sad news stories have repeatedly failed to do for Palestine--humanize a beautiful people and place. I wish my father were alive so I could give him this book."--Naomi Shihab Nye, award-winning author of Habibi and Sitti's Secrets "Like many picture books about immigration, Homeland creates a tapestry of both love and loss reinvented in a story by a granddaughter. This one, in particular, rings with truth while the drum's heartbeat holds a family and its history together."--Jane Yolen, author of Owl Moon, Eeny Up Above, and others "Homeland brings a rich, beautiful, intimate picture of Palestine to life that is rarely seen in American media. The details are absolutely delectable, and the storytelling is playful, yet deeply moving perfection." --Phoebe Wahl, author, and illustrator of Little Witch Hazel Perfect for: Anyone looking for Palestinian or Arab books for kids Readers seeking immigrant or refugee stories or diverse picture books Father's Day gift giving to dads, grandparents, uncles, and friends with a heartfelt connection to their homelands Readers with a passion for memoirs and stories that illustrate the immigrant experience
2024 Arab American Book Award for Children & Young Adults Honorable Mentions
Tagging Freedom by
Out of the revolutions across the Arab world comes this inspirational story of hope, freedom, and belonging, perfect for fans of Other Words for Home and A Good Kind of Trouble. Kareem Haddad of Damascus, Syria, never dreamed of becoming a graffiti artist. But when a group of boys from another town tag subversive slogans outside their school, and another boy is killed while in custody, Kareem and his friends are inspired to start secretly tag messages of freedom around their city. Meanwhile, in the United States, his cousin, Samira, has been trying to make her own mark. Anxious to fit in at school, she joins the Spirit Squad where her natural artistic ability attracts the attention of the popular leader. Then Kareem is sent to live with Sam's family, and their worlds collide. As graffitied messages appear around town and all eyes turn to Kareem, Sam must make a choice: does she shy away to protect her new social status, or does she stand with her cousin? Informed by her time as a journalist, author Rhonda Roumani's Tagging Freedom is a thoughtful look at the intersection between art and activism, infused with rich details and a realistic portrayal of how war affects and inspires children, similar to middle grade books for middle schoolers by Aisha Saeed, The Night Diary by Veera Hiranandi, or Refugee by Alan Gratz.
Salma Makes a Home by
Charming, creative Salma takes on big feelings with even bigger ideas as she navigates life in a new country, Syrian identity, family changes and new friendships in this engaging and heartfelt early chapter book series. After a year, eleven months, and six days apart, Salma's dad is finally joining her family in their new home. Salma is so happy to see her baba-but she's also worried. What if he misses Syria so much that he leaves them again? She throws herself into showing him around the city and helping him learn English, but as Baba shares memories of Damascus Salma starts to realize how much she misses Syria, too. Can Salma make space in her heart for two homes? And can Baba?
The Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature honors and recognizes individual works about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit. A list of past winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Winner for Young Adult Literature
Everything We Never Had by
Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Longlisted for the National Book Award From the author of the National Book Award finalist Patron Saints of Nothing comes an emotionally charged, moving novel about four generations of Filipino American boys grappling with identity, masculinity, and their fraught father-son relationships. Watsonville, 1930. Francisco Maghabol barely ekes out a living in the fields of California. As he spends what little money he earns at dance halls and faces increasing violence from white men in town, Francisco wonders if he should've never left the Philippines. Stockton, 1965. Between school days full of prejudice from white students and teachers and night shifts working at his aunt's restaurant, Emil refuses to follow in the footsteps of his labor organizer father, Francisco. He's going to make it in this country no matter what or who he has to leave behind. Denver, 1983. Chris is determined to prove that his overbearing father, Emil, can't control him. However, when a missed assignment on "ancestral history" sends Chris off the football team and into the library, he discovers a desire to know more about Filipino history―even if his father dismisses his interest as unamerican and unimportant. Philadelphia, 2020. Enzo struggles to keep his anxiety in check as a global pandemic breaks out and his abrasive grandfather moves in. While tensions are high between his dad and his lolo, Enzo's daily walks with Lolo Emil have him wondering if maybe he can help bridge their decades-long rift. Told in multiple perspectives, Everything We Never Had unfolds like a beautifully crafted nesting doll, where each Maghabol boy forges his own path amid heavy family and societal expectations, passing down his flaws, values, and virtues to the next generation, until it's up to Enzo to see how he can braid all these strands and men together.
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Winner for Children's Literature
Continental Drifter by
Winner of the American Library Association's Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature With a Thai mother and an American father, Kathy lives in two different worlds. She spends most of the year in Bangkok, where she's secretly counting the days till summer vacation. That's when her family travels for twenty-four hours straight to finally arrive in a tiny seaside town in Maine. Kathy loves Maine's idyllic beauty and all the exotic delicacies she can't get back home, like clam chowder and blueberry pie. But no matter how hard she tries, she struggles to fit in. She doesn't look like the other kids in this rural New England town. Kathy just wants to find a place where she truly belongs, but she's not sure if it's in America, Thailand . . . or anywhere.
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Winner for Picture Books
Aloha Everything by
Winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature An ALA Notable Children's Book ★ "A stunning tribute to Hawaiian culture and identity."-starred review, Kirkus New York Public Library Top Ten Best Kid's Book of 2024 A Center for the Study of Multicultural Literature Best Book of 2024 A 2025 Notable Book for a Global Society - International Literacy Association Aloha Everything is a magical story that will take you on a thrilling journey through the breathtaking islands of Hawaiʻi! In this exciting adventure, you'll encounter mighty canoes crashing over ocean waves, regal hawks soaring high above the clouds, and brilliant lizards jumping nimbly through forest trees! Most importantly, you'll meet a courageous young girl named Ano who learns, grows, and comes to love her island home with all her heart. Since the day that Ano was born, her heart has been connected to her home. But, this adventurous child has a lot to learn! When Ano begins to dance hula -- a storytelling dance form that carries the knowledge, history, and folklore of the Hawaiian people -- Ano comes to understand the true meaning of aloha. Aloha Everything is both a captivating read and a fantastic educational resource for learning about Hawaiian history, ecology, and culture. With breathtaking hand-painted illustrations and beautiful rhyming poetry that will lull little ones into brilliant dreams of vibrant adventure, this book is sure to capture the hearts of both children and parents alike. The beautiful poetry--weaving its way through every page--artfully blends 25 Hawaiian words into the English prose and provides a thoughtful exploration of the meaning of aloha in relation to the land, the people, and the lore. There is also a pronunciation guide and glossary providing additional information for those looking to learn more about the rich language and culture of Hawai'i.
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book for Young Adult Literature
Lunar New Year Love Story by
An NPR Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Best Book of the Year A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year A Booklist Best Book of the Year A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year A Horn Book Best Book of the Year A New York Public Library Best Book of the Year Graphic novel superstars Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham join forces in this heartwarming rom-com about fate, family, and falling in love. She was destined for heartbreak. Then fate handed her love. Val is ready to give up on love. It's led to nothing but secrets and heartbreak, and she's pretty sure she's cursed--no one in her family, for generations, has ever had any luck with love. But then a chance encounter with a pair of cute lion dancers sparks something in Val. Is it real love? Could this be her chance to break the family curse? Or is she destined to live with a broken heart forever?
Dragonfruit by
From acclaimed author Makiia Lucier, a dazzling, romantic fantasy inspired by Pacific Island mythology. In the old tales, it is written that the egg of a seadragon, dragonfruit, holds within it the power to undo a person's greatest sorrow. But as with all things that offer hope when hope had gone, the tale came with a warning. Every wish demands a price. Hanalei of Tamarind is the cherished daughter of an old island family. But when her father steals a seadragon egg meant for an ailing princess, she is forced into a life of exile. In the years that follow, Hanalei finds solace in studying the majestic seadragons that roam the Nominomi Sea. Until, one day, an encounter with a female dragon offers her what she desires most. A chance to return home, and to right a terrible wrong. Samahtitamahenele, Sam, is the last remaining prince of Tamarind. But he can never inherit the throne, for Tamarind is a matriarchal society. With his mother ill and his grandmother nearing the end of her reign. Sam is left with two choices: to marry, or to find a cure for the sickness that has plagued his mother for ten long years. When a childhood companion returns from exile, she brings with her something he has not felt in a very long time-hope. But Hanalei and Sam are not the only ones searching for the dragonfruit. And as they battle enemies both near and far, there is another danger they cannot escape...that of the dragonfruit itself.
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book for Children's Literature
Mabuhay!: a Graphic Novel by
An Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (APALA) Honor Book An Eisner Award Nominee From rising star Zachary Sterling comes a humorous and heartwarming middle-grade graphic novel that celebrates food, family, and folklore. Can two kids save the world and work their family food truck? First-generation Filipino siblings JJ and Althea struggle to belong at school. JJ wants to fit in with the crowd, while Althea wants to be accepted as she is. To make matters worse, they have to help their parents run the family food truck by dressing up as a dancing pig and passing out samples. Ugh! And their mom is always pointing out lessons from Filipino folklore -- annoying tales they've heard again and again. But when witches, ogres, and other creatures from those same stories threaten their family, JJ and Althea realize that the folklore may be more real that they'd suspected. Can they embrace who they really are and save their family?
Clairboyance by
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection Perfect for fans of Debbi Michiko Florence and Lisa Greenwald, Clairboyance's heartfelt and sweet coming of age story with a touch of magic follows Clara as her life is turned upside down when she discovers that she has boy-specific ESP abilities. After accidentally wishing on a family heirloom to hear what boys are thinking, Clara wakes up the next day able to do just that. Every idea, every worry, every generous or petty thought crossing their minds--somehow, they now form a chorus of voices in hers. But why couldn't her newfound powers have arrived sooner Then, maybe, she could have stopped her ex-best friend Leo from betraying her and ditching her for the more popular kids. At least her dad is open to the idea of moving her off O'ahu and out to Arizona to be with him. If Clara can use what she hears to solve her problems, then her powers might just be able to make up for lost time--but instead, she ends up making a bigger mess of everything. While scrambling to fix her mistakes, Clara must question old friendships, enter into new ones, and try to figure out what makes a home, and if she is willing to leave hers behind.
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book for Picture Books
The Rock in My Throat by
Praise for The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang, illustrated by Jiemei Lin: Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature Picture Book Honor Booklist Editor's Choice The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books Blue Ribbon Award Heartland Booksellers Award Finalist A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection At first, no one noticed when I stopped talking at school. In this moving true story, Kao Kalia Yang shares her experiences as a young Hmong refugee navigating life at home and at school. Having seen the poor treatment her parents received when making their best efforts at speaking English, she no longer speaks at school. Kalia feels as though a rock has become lodged in her throat, and it grows heavier each day. Although the narrative is somber, it is also infused with moments of beauty, love, and hope. This is a story for anyone who has ever struggled to find their voice.
YALSA's Award for Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18) during a Nov. 1 – Oct. 31 publishing year. One winner and four honor books are named in January. A list of winners and honor books from previous years can be found here.
2025 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Winner
Rising from the Ashes by
In the spring of 1992, after a jury returned not guilty verdicts in the trial of four police officers charged in the brutal beating of a Black man, Rodney King, Los Angeles was torn apart. Thousands of fires were set, causing more than a billion dollars in damage. In neighborhoods abandoned by the police, protestors and storeowners exchanged gunfire. More than 12,000 people were arrested and 2,400 injured. Sixty-three died. In Rising from the Ashes, award-winning author Paula Yoo draws on the experience of the city's Korean American community to narrate and illuminate this uprising, from the racism that created economically disadvantaged neighborhoods torn by drugs and gang-related violence, to the tensions between the city's minority communities. At its heart are the stories of three lives and three families: those of Rodney King; of Latasha Harlins, a Black teenager shot and killed by a Korean American storeowner; and Edward Jae Song Lee, a Korean American man killed in the unrest. Woven throughout, and set against a minute-by-minute account of the uprising, are the voices of dozens others: police officers, firefighters, journalists, business owners, and activists whose recollections give texture and perspective to the events of those five days in 1992 and their impact over the years that followed.
2025 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Finalists
A Greater Goal by
More than 250 women have played on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, and most contributed to the battle for equal pay. This narrative nonfiction book by the award-winning author and journalist Elizabeth Rusch traces the evolution of that fight, bringing this important rights issue in sports and in our culture to the attention of young readers. Features extensive back matter. With the passage of Title IX in 1972, the doors opened for young women to play sports at a higher level. But for the women on the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team, being able to compete at an international level didn't mean fair treatment and fair compensation. From economy-class airplane seats and inadequate lodging to minimal marketing and slashed wages, the women representing the United States at the Olympics, the World Cup, and other tournaments had reason to be fed up. They were expected to--and did--win, but they weren't compensated for their talent and dedication. With the help of their union and in collaboration with the men's team, they secured an equitable contract in 2022 that ultimately benefited both national teams as well as athletes of the future. Elizabeth Rusch's A Greater Goal chronicles how members of the U.S. Women's National Soccer Team fought to receive fair treatment and equal pay despite the intense pushback they received from U.S. Soccer, the governing body of soccer in the United States. With a narrative that includes player profiles and vignettes framed from team member perspectives, A Greater Goal illuminates the work, support, and grit needed to be treated with equality in a world that often undervalues the contributions of women. Features extensive back matter, including a, call to action, additional resources, and an index.
Shackled by
2025 YALSAExcellence in Nonfiction Finalist TheNew York Public Library Best Books for Teens 2024 Here is the explosive story of the Kids for Cash scandal in Pennsylvania, a judicial justice miscarriage that sent more than 2,500 children and teens to a for-profit detention center while two judges lined their pockets with cash, as told by Candy J. Cooper, an award-winning journalist and Pulitzer Prize finalist. In the early 2000s, Judge Mark Ciavarella and Judge Michael Conahan of Luzerne County, Pennsylvania were known as no-nonsense judges. Juveniles who showed up in their courtrooms faced harsh words and even harsher sentencing. In the post-Columbine era, many people believed that was just what the county needed to ensure its children and teens stayed on the straight and narrow path. But as more and more children faced shocking sentences for seemingly benign crimes, and a newly built for-profit detention center filled up further and further, a sinister pattern of abuses and bribery emerged. Through extensive research and original reporting leading into contemporary times, award-winning journalist Candy J. Cooper tells the story of a scandal that the Juvenile Law Center calls "one of the largest and most serious violations of children's rights in the history of the American legal system."
Homebody by
YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Finalist In their comics debut, Theo Parish masterfully weaves an intimate and defiantly hopeful memoir about the journey one nonbinary person takes to find a home within themself. Combining traditional comics with organic journal-like interludes, Theo takes us through their experiences with the hundred arbitrary and unspoken gender binary rules of high school, from harrowing haircuts and finally the right haircut to the intersection of gender identity and sexuality--and through tiny everyday moments that all led up to Theo finding the term "nonbinary," which finally struck a chord. "Have you ever had one of those moments when all of a sudden things become clear...like someone just turned on a light?" A whole spectrum of people will be drawn to Theo's storytelling, from trans or questioning teens and adults, to folks who devoured Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe or The Fire Never Goes Out by ND Stevenson, to any person looking to dive a little deeper into the way gender can shape identity. Throughout the book, Theo's crystal-clear voice reminds the reader that it's okay not to know, it's okay to change your mind, and it's okay to take your time finding your way home. "We are all just trying to find a place to call our own. We are all deserving of comfort and safety, a place to call home."
The Unboxing of a Black Girl by
Written as a collection of vignettes and poetry, The Unboxing of a Black Girl is a creative nonfiction reflection on Black girlhood. The debut YA title, by award-winning author Angela Shanté, is a love letter to Black girls set in New York City and serves as a personal and political critique of how the world raises Black girls. As Shanté navigates the city through memory, she balances poetry with vignettes that explore the innocence and joy of childhood eroded by adultification. Through this book, she illuminates the places where Black girls are nurtured or exploited in stories and poems about personal and political boxes, love, loss, and sexual assault. Many entries are also studded with cultural footnotes designed to further understanding.
The National Council for the Social Studies established the Carter G. Woodson Book Awards for the most distinguished books appropriate for young readers that depict ethnicity in the United States. First presented in 1974, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to ethnic minorities and race relations sensitively and accurately.” Carter G. Woodson was a distinguished African American historian and educator who wrote books for adults and young people. Dr. Woodson received his Ph.D. in history from Harvard University. A list of previous winners and honorees can be found here.
2024 Elementary Level Winner
My Powerful Hair by
From the award-winning and bestselling author of We Are Water Protectors comes an empowering picture book about family history, self-expression, and reclaiming your identity Our ancestors say our hair is our memories, our source of strength and power, a celebration of our lives. Mom never had long hair--she was told it was too wild. Grandma couldn't have long hair--hers was taken from her. But one young girl can't wait to grow her hair long: for herself, for her family, for her connection to her culture and the Earth, and to honor the strength and resilience of those who came before her. From Carole Lindstrom, author of the New York Times bestseller and Caldecott Medal winner We Are Water Protectors, and debut illustrator Steph Littlebird comes an empowering and healing celebration of hair and its significance across Indigenous cultures.
2024 Elementary Level Honorees
How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by
A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book "This moving picture book portrays a girl who met injustice with dignity and excelled."--Booklist (starred review) From a multi-award-winning pair comes a deeply affecting portrait of determination against discrimination: the story of young spelling champion MacNolia Cox. MacNolia Cox was no ordinary kid. Her idea of fun was reading the dictionary. In 1936, eighth grader MacNolia Cox became the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio, spelling bee. And with that win, she was asked to compete at the prestigious National Spelling Bee in Washington, DC, where she and a girl from New Jersey were the first African Americans invited since its founding. She left her home state a celebrity--right up there with Ohio's own Joe Louis and Jesse Owens--with a military band and a crowd of thousands to see her off at the station. But celebration turned to chill when the train crossed the state line into Maryland, where segregation was the law of the land. Prejudice and discrimination ruled--on the train, in the hotel, and, sadly, at the spelling bee itself. With a brief epilogue recounting MacNolia's further history, How Do You Spell Unfair? is the story of her groundbreaking achievement magnificently told by award-winning creators and frequent picture-book collaborators Carole Boston Weatherford and Frank Morrison.
Unstoppable by
This powerful and triumphant picture book biography tells the story of how openly gay civil rights leader Bayard Rustin defied prejudice as he planned and organized the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom. *An ALA Rainbow List Selection *WINNER, Best Illustrations - Black Kidlit Awards *Bank Street College's Best Books of the Year List 2024 *"A civil rights luminary finally gets his due. The prose works in perfect harmony with Jackson's warmly colored, stunning illustrations, which present Rustin as a gifted, passionate visionary whose talents helped turn the march from a dream into an unprecedented success. This work's greatest contribution is its unflinching honesty in demonstrating the backlash Rustin faced for being gay, both from White America and his own Black colleagues within the movement, who felt that his sexuality would detract from its success. A joyful tribute to the work of an important American hero." Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review * "The 1963 March on Washington and Martin Luther King's iconic 'I Have a Dream' speech would never have happened if not for Bayard Rustin, the individual behind the conception, organization, and management of the event. [This] picture book thoughtfully addresses basic human rights and introduces young readers to an important behind-the-scenes hero." - Booklist, Starred Review "Incredible." TEACH Magazine "This beautifully illustrated book makes it clear that peaceful change is possible. I am grateful Bayard's life continues to inspire young people to work for change and to build the beloved community." Walter Naegle, Partner of Bayard Rustin Bayard Rustin was a troublemaker. He spent his life disrupting racism and prejudice with nonviolent direct action. He organized protests against war, nuclear weapons, racial segregation and discrimination. He was a friend and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., and he was unapologetically gay and Black. When Bayard and his mentor, A. Philip Randolph, set out to organize the historic March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom, Bayard was targeted by those who wished to see the movement fail. But Bayard Rustin would not be stopped. With the support of Dr. King and future congressman John Lewis, Bayard organized the largest protest in civil rights history. This stunning picture book ,written by Rustin scholar Michael G. Long and illustrated by the New York Times bestselling artist Bea Jackson, tells the incredible story of how Bayard Rustin led over 250,000 people to the doorstep of the United States government demanding change.
2024 Middle Level Winner
Contenders by
The true story of John Meyers and Charles Bender, who in 1911 became the first two Native pro baseball players to face off in a World Series. This picture book teaches important lessons about resilience, doing what you love in the face of injustice, and the fight for Native American representation in sports. Charles Bender grew up on the White Earth Reservation in Northwestern Minnesota. John Meyers was raised on the Cahuilla reservation in Southern California. Despite their mutual respect for each other's talents and their shared dedication to Native representation in baseball, the media was determined to pit them against each other. However, they never gave up on their dreams of being pro baseball players and didn't let the supposed rivalry created by the media or the racism they faced within the stadium stop them. They continued to break barriers and went on to play a combined total of nine championships. With text by Traci Sorell and illustrations by Arigon Starr that brings these two players to life, the stories of John Meyers and Charles Bender remain an inspiration for achieving and maintaining one's dreams in the face of prejudice.
2024 Secondary Level Winner
Family Style by
A moving young adult graphic memoir about a Vietnamese immigrant boy's search for belonging in America, perfect for fans of American Born Chinese and The Best We Could Do!Thien's first memory isn't a sight or a sound. It's the sweetness of watermelon and the saltiness of fish. It's the taste of the foods he ate while adrift at sea as his family fled Vietnam.After the Pham family arrives at a refugee camp in Thailand, they struggle to survive. Things don't get much easier once they resettle in California. And through each chapter of their lives, food takes on a new meaning. Strawberries come to signify struggle as Thien's mom and dad look for work. Potato chips are an indulgence that bring Thien so much joy that they become a necessity.Behind every cut of steak and inside every croissant lies a story. And for Thien Pham, that story is about a search-- for belonging, for happiness, for the American dream.
2023 Secondary Level Honoree
The Children's Literature Legacy Award is presented to a U.S. author or illustrator whose body of work is deemed to have made a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children. Since 2001 it has been presented every two years. A complete list of winners can be found here.
Carole Boston Weatherford is the winner of the 2025 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 "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre" (Carolrhoda Books, 2021) and "BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom" (Candlewick, 2020).
The award was announced today, during the American Library Association's (ALA) LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held January 24 – 27 in Phoenix. The award is administered annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of ALA.
"Weatherford's powerful storytelling illuminates forgotten struggles and unsung heroes, inspiring young readers to embrace their heritage and seek justice," said Children's Literature Legacy Award Committee Chair Jason Miles Driver Sr.
Carole Boston Weatherford, born in 1956 in Baltimore, began her literary journey in first grade. With over 50 children's books published, she is renowned for her non-fiction and poetry works that amplify marginalized voices and explore African American history.
Some of Weatherford's award-winning works include "Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre," which won the Coretta Scott King Author Award in 2022, and "BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom," recipient of the Newbery Medal Honor in 2021. In addition, Weatherford has received multiple NAACP Image Awards and Coretta Scott King Honors.
Weatherford's books primarily focus on African American history and culture, using poetry and prose to bring forgotten stories to life. Her work spans from jazz and civil rights to lesser-known historical events, consistently championing diversity and social justice.
2025 Charlotte Huck Award Winner
The Last Stand by
The author of Nigel and the Moon, delivers a tender intergenerational story inspired by his childhood in the rural south. Here's a farm stand that represents the importance of family, community, and hope. A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, BOOKPAGE, and SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR * WINNER: National Council of Teachers of English Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children Every stand has a story. This one is mine. Saturday is for harvesting. And one little boy is excited to work alongside his Papa as they collect eggs, plums, peppers and pumpkins to sell at their stand in the farmer's market. Of course, it's more than a farmer's market. Papa knows each customer's order, from Ms. Rosa's pumpkins to Mr. Johnny's peppers. And when Papa can't make it to the stand, his community gathers around him, with dishes made of his own produce. Heartwarming illustrations complement the lyrical text in this poignant picture book that reveals a family's pride in their work, and reminds us to harvest love and hope from those around us.
2025 Charlotte Huck Award Honor Books
And Then, Boom! by
A gripping new novel in verse by the author of the Printz Honor-winning Starfish, featuring a poverty-stricken boy who bravely rides out all the storms life keeps throwing at him Joe Oak is used to living on unsteady ground. His mom can't be depended on as she never stays around long once she gets "the itch," and now he and his beloved grandmother find themselves without a home. Fortunately, Joe has an outlet in his journals and drawings and takes comfort from the lessons of comic books-superheroes have a lot of "and then, boom" moments, where everything threatens to go bust but somehow they land on their feet. And that seems to happen a lot to Joe too, as in this crisis his friend Nick helps them find a home in his trailer park. But things fall apart again when Joe is suddenly left to fend for himself. He doesn't tell anyone he's on his own, as he fears foster care and has hope his mom will come back. But time is running out-bills are piling up, the electricity's been shut off, and the school year's about to end, meaning no more free meals. The struggle to feed himself gets intense, and Joe finds himself dumpster diving for meals. He's never felt so alone-until an emaciated little dog and her two tiny pups cross his path. And fate has even more in store for Joe, because an actual tornado is about to hit home-and just when it seems all is lost, his life turns in a direction that he never could have predicted.
Dad, I Miss You by
This story is dedicated to the author's mother and father, both of whom are residential school survivors. Told in the voice of a boy and his father by turns, this book takes a thoughtful and heartfelt look at the emotional toll of a child being taken from their family and community to attend residential school. While the child's internal monologue expresses his fear, confusion, and loss, the father's monologue conveys his own sadness, fears, and hopes for the future of his child. The narrative gives voice to the things left unsaid between a parent and child experiencing this heart-rending separation. Upon his return to his community, when father and son are reunited, they must start the long process of reconnection. Based on the author's family history of residential school separation, this book provides a unique perspective on the difficult cycle of loss, reconnection, and regaining hope for the future.
Popcorn by
The beloved author of Wink is back with a hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety on a day when everything is going wrong Andrew's just trying to make it through Picture Day, which is easier said than done when it seems like the whole world is out to get him--from a bully to a science experiment gone wrong to a someone else's juice snot (don't ask). But as Andrew goes through the school day, and as one thing after another goes wrong, that little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter, until it threatens to pop and turn into a public panic attack, his worst fear. He tries to keep his anxiety at bay, but the news that his grandmother with Alzheimer's is missing is too much. Interspersed with humorous spot art and "anxiety file" panels that depict the real, difficult feelings of anxiety and OCD and real tips for coping, this is a poignant, personal, and laugh-out-loud funny story about letting go of control and accepting help--all while trying to get the perfect school picture.
A Flicker of Hope by
A heartwarming tale of a girl waiting for her beloved Papá to return when the monarchs fly south to their home in Mexico. Lucía loves to watch the monarchs' migration from her home in Mexico with Papá. But this year, the monarchs' journey north holds extra weight; Papá is heading north, too, to look for work. He promises her that when "the weather turns cold and the monarcas return, our winged ancestors will guide me home." So while he spends the summer months harvesting produce on faraway farms, Lucía watches the skies for signs of the monarchs'--and her papá's--return. Told through the parallel stories of the butterflies' journey and Lucía's migrant farmer father, Cynthia Harmony's A Flicker of Hope is a love letter to the power of families and nature, both of which know no borders.
Summer at Squee by
From Newbery Honor-winning author Andrea Wang, a new middle grade novel about a Chinese American tween who attends a Boston-based Chinese cultural overnight camp-and the many ways it transforms her. Phoenny Fang plans to have the best summer ever. She's returning to Summertime Chinese Culture, Wellness, and Enrichment Experience (SCCWEE for short and "Squee" to campers in the know), and this year she's a senior camper. That means she; her best friend, Lyrica Chu; and her whole Squad will have the most influence. It almost doesn't matter that her brother is a CIT (counselor-in-training) and that her mom and auntie are the camp directors. Time spent at Squee is sacred, glorious, and free. On the day Phoenny arrives, though, she learns that the Squad has been split up, and there's an influx of new campers this year. Phoenny is determined to be welcoming and to share all the things she loves about camp-who doesn't love spending hours talking about and engaging in cultural activities? But she quickly learns how out of touch she is with others' experiences, particularly of the campers who are adoptees. The same things that make her feel connected to her culture and community make some of the other campers feel excluded. Summer at Squee turns out to be even more transformative than Phoenny could've imagined, with new friendships, her first crush, an epic show, and a bigger love for and understanding of her community.
2024 Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Books
Isabel in Bloom by
A middle-school girl discovers a connection between her home in the Philippines and her new home in the U.S. through a special garden in "this sweet and heartfelt novel [that] explores how bumpy beginnings can offer chances for new growth" (The New York Times) A National Council of Teachers of English Recommended Book Twelve-year-old Isabel is the new kid in her San Francisco middle school. It's the first time in many years that she'll be living with her mother again. Mama's job in the US allowed Isabel and her grandparents to live more comfortably in the Philippines, but now Isabel doesn't really know her own mother anymore. Making new friends in a new city, a new country, is hard, but joining the gardening and cooking club at school means Isabel will begin to find her way, and maybe she too, will begin to bloom. In this beautifully rendered novel-in-verse, Mae Respicio explores how growth can take many forms, offering both the challenges and joy of new beginnings.
Deer Run Home by
Effie is Deaf, and no one in her family speaks sign language, her language. This moving story of survival and found family, inspired by a true court case, is perfect for fans of Wonder and Out of My Mind. * "Quietly extraordinary." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "Elegantly weaves a heartbreaking story with hope." --School Library Journal, starred review "Through Effie, young readers both deaf and hearing will encounter a heartfelt homecoming story, and reassurance that they are not alone."--The New York Times Effie and her older sister, Deja, have recently moved into their father's trailer after an incident at their mom's house. Daddy communicates with Effie by pointing, stomping on the floor, and making thoughtless jokes. Even if they did understand each other, could she tell the terrible secret she carries when telling feels impossible--and dangerous? But what if telling is the only way to be seen? This tender, spare, emotionally charged story about the impact of abuse and the power of love explores what it feels like to be an outsider in your own family and to awaken--through friendship, writing, and kinship with the natural world--to a new understanding and appreciation of yourself.
When Isaac Hears the Rain by
Celebrate the unexpected joy of a rainy day with this quietly exuberant book about a young boy who delights in the rejuvenating power of rain. When the rain starts to fall, others may dash, yelp, and dodge, as their smiles turn into frowns. But not Isaac. Isaac embraces the rain with curiosity and wonder, grateful for its renewing power and grounded in the world around him. Written with equal parts heart and whimsy, and with a nod to Ezra Jack Keats' The Snowy Day, this environmentally conscious narrative makes a fantastic read-aloud for readers, young and old. ​Author Julie Thompson wrote this sweet celebration of Black Boy Joy as an ode to her two sons. And the lyrical text will encourage readers everywhere to cherish those unexpected moments of joy that provide a welcome respite from the challenges of life.
Missing Momma by
A tender picture book about a veteran's PTSD and a family's love for each other--on good days and hard days--from award-winning creators Winsome Bingham and Rahele Jomepour Bell Momma wears combat boots, a camouflage jacket, and a U.S. ARMY tag on her chest. She is a fighter for her country's freedom, but she is also a fighter for her family. When Momma comes home from a long deployment, however, something has changed. Our narrator, Momma's "Baby," misses the big hugs, uniform fashion shows, and music mornings they used to share. And she really misses planting vegetables together. Now her Momma won't even come out to the garden. But maybe, just maybe, she can bring the garden to Momma. Missing Momma is the poignant and ultimately hopeful, comforting story of a child with a parent affected by PTSD. Sensitively written by Winsome Bingham and movingly illustrated by Rahele Jomepour Bell, Missing Momma beautifully reminds kids that a family's love endures even on days that aren't picture perfect.
Show up and Vote by
From the Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, political activist, and feminist icon comes a story of connectedness and collective responsibility, as told through the eyes of a young child going to vote for the first time. Singer-songwriter, activist, feminist, and best-selling author Ani Di Franco has penned a lyrical narrative for her youngest audience: a picture book about the eye-opening act of voting. A young girl accompanies her mother to their local polling station and pays witness to the commonality of this experience. Her mother gently reinforces the great responsibility and importance of this act, while the girl moves through feelings of excitement, nervousness, and ultimately, invigoration. Rachelle Baker adds an authentic neighborhood feel in a range of bright, bold colors and familiar faces, establishing a realistic and relatable setting. An age-appropriate call-to-action for all young citizens.
Duel by
A rivalry between sisters culminates in a fencing duel in this funny and emotional debut graphic novel sure to appeal to readers of Raina Telgemeier and Shannon Hale. Sixth grader Lucy loves fantasy novels and is brand-new to middle school. GiGi is the undisputed queen bee of eighth grade (as well as everything else she does). They've only got one thing in common: fencing. Oh, and they're sisters. They never got along super well, but ever since their dad died, it seems like they're always at each other's throats. When GiGi humiliates Lucy in the cafeteria on the first day of school, Lucy snaps and challenges GiGi to a duel with high sisterly stakes. If GiGi wins, Lucy promises to stay out of GiGi's way; if Lucy wins, GiGi will stop teasing Lucy for good. But after their scene in the cafeteria, both girls are on thin ice with the principal and their mom. Lucy stopped practicing fencing after their fencer dad died and will have to get back to fighting form in secret or she'll be in big trouble. And GiGi must behave perfectly or risk getting kicked off the fencing team. As the clock ticks down to the girls' fencing bout, the anticipation grows. Their school is divided into GiGi and Lucy factions, complete with t-shirts declaring kids' allegiances. Both sisters are determined to triumph. But will winning the duel mean fracturing their family even further?
Mi Terra by
Amaya Nuñez loves that no one else has her name. She loves her apartment and her busy New York City neighborhood. She loves when her Abuelo visits all the way from Spain. She loves summer trips to Vermont and dinners with her Tía and Tío. But those aren't su tierra. Amaya's tierra has subways and bodegas, sidewalks and sprawling parks, and the most beautiful city sunsets. Su tierra is one of a kind. Just like her. "Mi Tierra" is an early chapter book by Adria Quiñones that tells the heartfelt journey of Amaya Nuñez. Throughout the book, Amaya experiences the following: * Embracing Singularity: Accompany Amaya as she celebrates the beauty of her name and the vibrant diversity of her New York City neighborhood. * Multigenerational Connections: Share Amaya's shares special moments with her grandfather, which create cherished memories that bridge continents and strengthen family bonds. * Exploration and Adventure: Experience the magic of summer trips to Vermont and comforting family dinners. Each moment adds depth to Amaya's rich cultural experiences. * Discovering Identity: Dive into Amaya's journey of self-discovery as she navigates the complexities of belonging and finding her place in the world. * Celebrating Diversity: Through vivid descriptions of subways, bodegas, expansive parks, and stunning city sunsets, Amaya's story celebrates the unique beauty of her "land" and the richness of her Puerto Rican and Spanish heritage. Perfect for readers ages 7-12!
Abuela's Letter by
Abuela's Letter is a beautiful story that addresses loss and grief within a Latin family where a young girl is challenged by the death of her grandmother and discovers letter-writing as a way to cope and connect with her loved one's passing. NCTE Charlotte Huck Award® for Outstanding Fiction for Children Alma's favorite days are when her big family gathers at Abuela's house. Tíos take siestas while tías tell their stories, and primos play dominoes while Abuela stirs the frijoles. Always at the center is the love of Abuela! Alma's beloved grandmother and her number one fan! When Abuela dies, all of this is suddenly gone. Alma is filled with sadness and grief, until she finds a letter that Abuela left for her. Could Abuela's words be what fills her heart again with love and sweet memories? This thoughtful story captures the concept of "familismo" beautifully ― a Latin cultural value that involves dedication, commitment, and loyalty to family. Regularly spending time with one's immediate and extended family is part of familismo, as well as seeking the family's advice and support for important decisions and life transitions, such grief and loss. Includes a note to readers in English and Spanish with coping strategies essential to Latino and Hispanic families about grief and loss of a loved one, as well as additional ways to support children and honor the life and memory of beloved family members.
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Coretta Scott King Medal Winner - Author
Twenty-Four Seconds from Now ... by
A Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner A New York Times Bestseller Seven starred reviews! "Jason Reynolds has done it again!...Fresh from start to finish...This is what it could be, should be, if only we were all as lucky as Aria. Girls (and everyone) wait for your Neon!" --Judy Blume, New York Times bestselling author of Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret. and Forever... #1 New York Times bestselling author Jason Reynolds tackles it--you know...it--from the guy's perspective in this stream of consciousness story of a teen boy about to experience a huge first. "Reynolds's foray into romance is as spectacular as expected...Undoubtedly, a story for everyone" (Booklist, starred review). Twenty-four months ago: Neon gets chased by a dog all around the parking lot of a church. Not his finest moment. And definitely one he would have loved to forget if it weren't for the dog's owner: Aria. Dressed in sweats, a t-shirt, hair in a ponytail. Aria. Way more than fine. Twenty-four weeks ago: Neon's dad insists on talking to him about tenderness and intimacy. Neon and Aria are definitely in love, and while they haven't taken that next big step...yet, they've starting talking about...that. Twenty-four days ago: Neon's mom finds her--gulp--bra in his room. Hey! No judging! Those hook thingies are complicated! So he'd figured he'd better practice, what with the big day only a month away. Twenty-four minutes ago: Neon leaves his shift at work at his dad's bingo hall, making sure to bring some chicken tenders for Aria. They're not candlelight and they definitely aren't caviar, but they are her favorite. And right this second? Neon is locked in Aria's bathroom, completely freaking out because twenty-four seconds from now he and Aria are about to...about to... Well, they won't do anything if he can't get out of his own head (all the advice, insecurities, and what ifs) and out of this bathroom!
2025 Coretta Scott King Medal Winner - Illustrator
My Daddy Is a Cowboy by
Tall. High as the clouds. Strong as a horse's back. Like a cowboy. In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery, and pride. Seeing her city from a new vantage point and feeling seen in a new way, the child discovers that she too is a cowboy-strong and confident in who she is. Thoughtfully and lyrically written by debut author Stephanie Seales, with vibrant illustrations from award-winning artist C. G. Esperanza, this beautiful picture book is a celebration of Black joy, outdoor play, and quality time spent between child and parent.
Kwame Crashes the Underworld by
Winner of the Coretta Scott King John Steptoe New Talent Award Discover a stunning middle grade fantasy about a boy hurled into the Ghanaian underworld to help his grandmother save humanity, perfect for fans of Tristan Strong and Amari and the Night Brothers. Twelve-year-old Kwame Powell isn't ready to deal with losing his grandmother, even as he and his family head to Ghana for her celebration of life. He's definitely not ready when he's sucked into a magical whirlpool that leads straight to Asamando, the Ghanaian underworld. There, he comes face to face with his grandmother, who is very much alive, and somehow still...a kid? Together with his best friend, Autumn, and a talkative aboatia named Woo, Kwame must battle angry nature gods, and stop the underworld from destroying the land of the living. But there's an even bigger problem: Only living souls can leave Asamando. In order to save the mortal world and return home, Kwame will need to find the courage to do the bravest thing of all -- learn how to say goodbye. *** Praise for Kwame Crashes the Underworld: A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year ★ "A grand tale, funny and terrifying in turns, steeped in Ghanaian spirituality and folklore, and wrapped around themes of identity, obligation, true friendship, and devastating loss." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ "This swashbuckling, supernatural adventure into the land of Ghanian mythology will have all readers (and especially fans of Rick Riordan Presents titles) craving more. Highly recommended." -- School Library Journal, starred review "Brimming with laughter, joy, and beautiful messages about grief, hope, lost loved ones, identity, and the ancestors, Kwame Crashes the Underworld rattles the spirit. Kwame Powell is a much-welcomed hero to the canon of children's books." -- Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times-bestselling author of The Marvellers and The Memory Thieves "Craig Kofi Farmer brings to life the myths of Ghana with heart, humor, and cinematic flair. I wish this book had existed when I was a child. I dare readers not to let Kwame Powell into their hearts." -- Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times-bestselling author of Serwa Boateng's Guide to Vampire Hunting
Jimmy's Rhythm and Blues by
Celebrate James Baldwin's one-hundredth birthday anniversary with the first-ever illustrated biography of this legendary writer, orator, activist, and intellectual. Before he became a writer, James "Jimmy" Baldwin was a young boy from Harlem, New York, who loved stories. He found joy in the rhythm of music, family, and books. But Jimmy also found the blues, as a Black man living in America. When he discovered the written word, he discovered true power. Writing gave him a voice. And that voice opened the world to Jimmy. From the publication of the groundbreaking collection of essays The Fire Next Time to his passionate demonstrations during the civil rights movement, Jimmy used his voice fearlessly. Michelle Meadows, author of Brave Ballerina and Flying High, introduces young readers to the great American novelist, essayist, poet, playwright, orator, and artist James Baldwin, who, with the fire of his pen, dared a nation to dream of a more equitable world filled with love. Brought to life with warm illustrations by Jamiel Law, Jimmy's Rhythm & Blues chronicles the life of an incredible visionary who left an indelible mark on American literature and history.
Black Girl You Are Atlas by
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book Winner of the Walter Dean Myers Award A thoughtful celebration of Black girlhood by award-winning author and poet Renée Watson. In this semi-autobiographical collection of poems, Renée Watson writes about her experience growing up as a young Black girl at the intersections of race, class, and gender. Using a variety of poetic forms, from haiku to free verse, Watson shares recollections of her childhood in Portland, tender odes to the Black women in her life, and urgent calls for Black girls to step into their power. Black Girl You Are Atlas encourages young readers to embrace their future with a strong sense of sisterhood and celebration. With full-color art by celebrated fine artist Ekua Holmes throughout, this collection offers guidance and is a gift for anyone who reads it.
Black Star by
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book The thrilling second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Door of No Return trilogy stars Kofi's granddaughter, Charley, who's set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball but who soon has to contend with the tensions about to boil over in her segregated town. You can't protect her from knowing. The truth is all we have. 12-year old Charley Cuffey is many things: a granddaughter, a best friend, and probably the best pitcher in all of Lee's Mill. Set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball, Charley doesn't need reminders from her best friend Cool Willie Green to know that she has lofty dreams for a Black girl in the American South. Even so, Nana Kofi's thrilling stories about courageous ancestors and epic journeys make it impossible not to dream big. She knows he has so many more to tell, but according to her parents, she isn't old enough to know about certain things like what happened to Booker Preston that one night in Great Bridge and why she can never play on the brand-new real deal baseball field on the other side of town. When Charley challenges a neighborhood bully to a game at the church picnic, she knows she can win, even with her ragtag team. But when the picnic spills over onto their ball field, she makes a fateful decision. A child cannot protect herself if she does not know her history, and Charley's choice brings consequences she never could have imagined. In this riveting second book of the Door of No Return trilogy, set during the turbulent segregation era, and the beginning of The Great Migration, Kwame Alexander weaves a spellbinding story of struggle, determination, and the unflappable faith of an American family.
One Big Open Sky by
A Newbery Honor Book Three women narrate a perilous wagon journey westward that could set them free--or cost them everything they have--in this intergenerational verse novel that explores the history of the Black homesteader movement. 1879, Mississippi. Young dreamer Lettie may have her head in the stars, but her body is on a covered wagon heading westward. Her father, Thomas, promises that Nebraska will be everything the family needs: an opportunity to claim the independence they've strived for over generations on their very own plot of land. But Thomas' hopes--and mouth--are bigger than his ability to follow through. With few supplies and even less money, the only thing that feels certain is danger. Right after the war ended/and we were free/we believed/all of us did/that couldn't nothing hurt us/the way master had when we were slaves/Couldn't no one tell us/how to live/how to die. Lettie, her mother, Sylvia, and young teacher Philomena are free from slavery--but bound by poverty, access to opportunity, and patriarchal social structures. Will these women survive the hardships of their journey? And as Thomas' desire for control overpowers his common sense, will they truly be free once they get there? Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome's striking verse masterfully portrays an underrepresented historical era. Tackling powerful themes of autonomy and Black self-emancipation, Cline-Ransome offers readers an intimate look into the lives of three women and an expansive portrait of generations striving for their promised freedom. A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children's Book of the Year An ALSC Notable Children's Book Selected for the Rise: Feminist Book List
Coretta: the Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King by
Celebrate the life of the extraordinary civil and human rights activist Coretta Scott King with this picture book adaptation of her critically acclaimed adult memoir. This is the autobiography of Coretta Scott King--wife of Martin Luther King, Jr.; founder of the Martin Luther King, Jr. Center for Nonviolent Social Change (the King Center); architect of the MLK, Jr. legacy; and global leader in movements for civil and human rights as well as peace. Learn about how a girl born in the segregated deep south became a global leader at the forefront of the peace movement and an unforgettable champion of social change. Resilience, bravery, and joy lie at the center of this timeless story about fighting for justice against all odds.
Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem by
A Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Book A Shelf Awareness Best Book of the Year A Kirkus Best Picture Book of the Year A Kirkus Best Picture Book Biography A Kirkus Reviews Most Anticipated Book of 2024 The New York Public Library Best Books for Kids 2024 (Top 10) A child of the Harlem Renaissance and an artistic collaborator of Langston Hughes, Roy DeCarava is an unsung hero of Black history. Convinced that the lives of ordinary Black people deserved to be immortalized and documented in photos, Roy celebrated Black people through his art, a process that the incomparable author Gary Golio and illustrator E. B. Lewis capture in this beautiful picture book. ★ Kirkus Reviews, starred review ★ Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ Shelf Awareness, starred review ★ The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review "Life is how you look at it." And for Black photographer Roy DeCarava, life in his neighborhood was beautiful. Follow Roy through 1940s Harlem, as he takes out his camera, pops in a roll of film, and opens his eyes to the beauty all around him. There's a little boy drawing on the sidewalk with chalk. SNAP! A young man at the bus stop with a baby in his arms. SNAP! Kids playing in an open fire hydrant. SNAP! Looking at them all, Roy sees beauty everywhere in Harlem, and so do the people who look at his photos. This deeply researched picture book also includes additional information on DeCarava, a list of places to view his photos, a bibliography, and photos.
Go Forth and Tell: the Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller by
From an award-winning author and illustrator comes this picture book biography about beloved librarian and storyteller Augusta Braxton Baker, the first Black coordinator of children's services at all branches of the New York Public Library. Before Augusta Braxton Baker became a storyteller, she was an excellent story listener. Her grandmother brought stories like Br'er Rabbit and Arthur and Excalibur to life, teaching young Augusta that when there's a will, there's always a way. When she grew up, Mrs. Baker began telling her own fantastical stories to children at the 135th Street branch of the New York Public Library in Harlem. But she noticed that there were hardly any books at the library featuring Black people in respectful, uplifting ways. Thus began her journey of championing books, writers, librarians, and teachers centering Black stories, educating and inspiring future acclaimed authors like Audre Lorde and James Baldwin along the way. As Mrs. Baker herself put it- "Children of all ages want to hear stories. Select well, prepare well and then go forth and just tell."
NCTE established the Award for Excellence in Poetry for Children in 1977 to honor a living American poet for their aggregate work for children ages 3-13. NCTE also recognizes and fosters excellence in children’s poetry by encouraging its publication and by exploring ways to acquaint teachers and children with poetry through such means as publications, programs, and displays.
Each year, the committee also produces a Notable Poetry Books and Verse Novels list.
The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people. A list of titles for each year can be found here.
2025 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Winners
They Call Me Teach by
In this stirring and powerfully illustrated story, an enslaved young man uses his ability to read and write to educate others in the pursuit of freedom. Back inside the store I write up receipts for Master's deliveries for Master's orders In 'tween I write up a receipt for her freedom The young man known as Teach secretly learned to read, write, and use numbers growing up alongside the master's son. And although on this Southern plantation these are skills he can never flaunt, Teach doesn't keep them to himself: In the course of a week, he'll teach little ones the alphabet in the corner stall of a stable and hold a moonlit session where men scratch letters in the dirt. He'll decipher a discarded letter bearing news of Yankee soldiers and forge a pass for a woman hoping to buy precious time on a perilous journey north. And come Sunday, Teach will cross the swamp to a hidden cabin, reading aloud to the congregation God's immortal words to the pharaoh: Let my people go. With a spare, moving first-person narration told in an era-appropriate dialect, complemented by stunning watercolor illustrations, the celebrated duo of Lesa Cline-Ransome and James E. Ransome honor the bravery and generosity of spirit behind countless untold acts of resistance during the time of slavery. An author's note highlights the vital role of literacy and education toward the securing of freedom, both historically and to the present day.
Not Nothing by
Four starred reviews! "The book we all need at the time we all need it." --Katherine Applegate, Newbery Award-winning author of The One and Only Ivan In this "tale of intergenerational friendship forged through a shared understanding of loss...told with spellbinding grace" (Publishers Weekly, starred review) from #1 New York Times bestselling author Gayle Forman, a boy assigned to spend his summer volunteering at a senior living facility learns unexpected lessons. Alex is twelve, and he did something very, very bad. A judge sentences him to spend his summer volunteering at a retirement home where he's bossed around by an annoying and self-important do-gooder named Maya-Jade. He hasn't seen his mom in a year, his aunt and uncle don't want him, and Shady Glen's geriatric residents seem like zombies to him. Josey is 107 and ready for his life to be over. He has evaded death many times, having survived ghettos, dragnets, and a concentration camp--all thanks to the heroism of a woman named Olka and his own ability to sew. But now he spends his days in room 206 at Shady Glen, refusing to speak and waiting (and waiting and waiting) to die. Until Alex knocks on Josey's door...and Josey begins to tell Alex his story. As Alex comes back again and again to hear more, an unlikely bond grows between them. Soon a new possibility opens up for Alex: Can he rise to the occasion of his life, even if it means confronting the worst thing that he's ever done?
2025 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor Titles
Small Shoes, Great Strides by
On November 14, 1960, first graders Leona Tate, Tessie Prevost, and Gail Etienne stepped into history by going to school. Escorted by U.S. Marshals and facing swarms of shouting protestors, they became the first children in New Orleans to integrate a previously all-white school, just ten minutes before Ruby Bridges. Like Ruby, the trio faced crowds of protestors fighting against public school desegregation efforts and relied on US Marshals to keep them safe. That day was just the beginning of their journey. Despite hate mail, death threats, and ongoing protests, Leona, Tessie, and Gail continued attending McDonogh No. 19 Public School. To ensure their safety, classroom windows were covered with paper, and they weren't allowed outside for recess. With the love and protection of their parents, the Marshals, and their kindly teacher, the girls carried on and formed a close bond, becoming friends for life. Award-winning author Vaunda Micheaux Nelson conducted extensive interviews to bring this little-known story from the Civil Rights Movement to young readers. With vivid illustrations by fine artist Alex Bostic that highlight courage and determination, this book celebrates how three little girls made great strides to ensure all children could receive the education they deserve.
A Map for Falasteen by
A Kirkus Best Book of 2024 A Booklist Editors Choice 2024 A young Palestinian girl living in diaspora struggles to find her homeland on a map in this gentle and heartfelt picture book. At school, Falasteen and her classmates are tasked with finding their families' home countries on a map, but no matter how hard she looks, Falasteen can't find Palestine. Can a place exist if it's not on a map? Confused, Falasteen turns to her family for answers. Her grandfather, grandmother, and Mama encourage her to see their homeland from a different perspective, and each of their stories helps her understand her people's history and her own place in the world. Filled with beautiful, inspiring illustrations and thoughtful back matter that outlines key terms and historical moments, this is a story of family, resilience and home always being where the heart is.
Black Star by
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book The thrilling second book in the #1 New York Times bestselling Door of No Return trilogy stars Kofi's granddaughter, Charley, who's set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball but who soon has to contend with the tensions about to boil over in her segregated town. You can't protect her from knowing. The truth is all we have. 12-year old Charley Cuffey is many things: a granddaughter, a best friend, and probably the best pitcher in all of Lee's Mill. Set on becoming the first female pitcher to play professional ball, Charley doesn't need reminders from her best friend Cool Willie Green to know that she has lofty dreams for a Black girl in the American South. Even so, Nana Kofi's thrilling stories about courageous ancestors and epic journeys make it impossible not to dream big. She knows he has so many more to tell, but according to her parents, she isn't old enough to know about certain things like what happened to Booker Preston that one night in Great Bridge and why she can never play on the brand-new real deal baseball field on the other side of town. When Charley challenges a neighborhood bully to a game at the church picnic, she knows she can win, even with her ragtag team. But when the picnic spills over onto their ball field, she makes a fateful decision. A child cannot protect herself if she does not know her history, and Charley's choice brings consequences she never could have imagined. In this riveting second book of the Door of No Return trilogy, set during the turbulent segregation era, and the beginning of The Great Migration, Kwame Alexander weaves a spellbinding story of struggle, determination, and the unflappable faith of an American family.
Safiyyah's War by
Inspired by the true story of how the Grand Mosque of Paris saved the lives of hundreds of Jews during World War II, Hiba Noor Khan weaves a breathtaking tale of suspense, compassion, and courage, starring an extraordinary young heroine readers will never forget. CARNEGIE MEDAL FINALIST KIRKUS PRIZE FINALIST A BOOKPAGE BEST BOOK A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK FOUR STARRED REVIEWS! Safiyyah loathes the brutal Nazi occupation of Paris, even though her Muslim identity keeps her safe--or, at least, safer than her Jewish neighbors. Violence lurks in the streets, her best friend has fled, and even her place of refuge--the library--has turned shadowy and confusing, as the invaders fear the power of books. Safiyyah longs to fight back and hates feeling powerless to help her Jewish friends. Worse yet, her father--who taught her to always do the right thing--is acting strangely and doing nothing to help them either. Or is he? Unravelling the mystery of her father's odd behavior draws Safiyyah deep in the heart of the perilous underground resistance to the Nazis, where her bravery is put to the ultimate test...
2025 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalists
Barrio Rising by
A vivid historical fiction account of the community activism behind San Diego's Chicano Park-home to the largest outdoor mural collection in the U.S.-and just one example of the Mexican American community's rich history of resistance and resilience. Barrio Logan, one of San Diego's oldest Chicane neighborhoods, once brimmed with families and stretched all the way to the glorious San Diego Bay. But in the decades after WWII, the community lost their beach and bayfront to factories, junkyards, and an interstate that divided the neighborhood and forced around 5,000 people out of their homes. Then on April 22, 1970, residents discovered that the construction crew they believed was building a park-one the city had promised them years ago-was actually breaking ground for a police station. That's when they knew it was time to make their voices heard. Barrio Rising invites readers to join a courageous young activist and her neighbors in their successful twelve-day land occupation and beyond, when Barrio Logan banned together and built the colorful park that would become the coraz n of San Diego's Chicane community. Also available in Spanish/tambien disponible en espanol- El barrio se levanta *Two starred reviews!* *"A marvelous testament to barrio-based might."-Kirkus Reviews, starred review
Dear You, Dream Big! by
A new classic for Black and Brown children. ANYTHING and EVERYTHING is possible! Perhaps you want to become an artist, or a scientist, or maybe even president. Even when--especially when--the path is hard, Dear YOU- Dream BIG. A personal, poetic, and uplifting affirmation from Caribbean-born author Baptiste Paul encouraging today's Black youth to reject those who wish to silence them, exclude them, and reject their talents with one powerful refrain. A powerful, lyrical anthem of Black pride celebrating Black creativity, leadership, and innovation that's perfect for fans of All Because You Matter, I Am Every Good Thing, and I Am Enough.
Freedom Braids by
Gather the midnight strands, tend the roots that gave you life, weave hopes into pathways-- paths that lead you home. Day after day, Nemy sows seeds, pulls weeds, and strips leaves in the sugarcane plantation where she is enslaved. But one night, she follows a woman called Big Mother to a hidden shack. There, she finds a group of women braiding each other's hair. But these are no ordinary braids. Hidden in each elaborate pattern is a secret--a message signaling their intent to flee and a map to guide them in their escape. Will the paths these courageous women weave bring Nemy to a new home where she can be free? A picture book of love, liberation, and legacy inspired by the true story of enslaved African women in Colombia braiding maps to freedom.
I Heard by
A powerful and poetic picture book about Black history in the United States, from the shores of Africa and slavery, to the civil rights and Black Lives Matter movements. With stunning lyricism reminiscent of traditional African spirituals and today's rhythm and flow of hip-hop, a teacher shares the history of being Black in the US, while continuing to march into present day--undeterred and proud to be Black. Author Jaha Nailah Avery shows you have to understand the past to shape the future, and knowing who you are gives you the strength to do just that. The book's back matter on Black history is an extensive resource and provides additional context to the reading of I Heard.
Let Us March On! by
A moving and inspiring nonfiction picture book about James Weldon Johnson and the first mass all-Black march for civil rights in the United States when 10,000 Black protestors, including children, marched down New York's Fifth Avenue. James Weldon Johnson was a man of words. He wrote "Lift Every Voice and Sing," a poem so uplifting and inspiring it became known as the Black national anthem. James was also a leader of the NAACP, and many people turned to him for advice in troubling times. And then was one of those times. White people were hurting Black people in scary and shocking ways. "Let us march," James said, "in New York City." A big protest on the biggest avenue in the biggest city in the country. "And," he said, "let's make it a silent march." Because sometimes silence can be more powerful than screaming and shouting. In July 1917, James helped lead thousands of children and adults in the Silent Protest Parade as they marched down Fifth Avenue in New York City. Today, the parade stands as an inspiring reminder of the power of protest in all forms, and the power and resilience of young people in the face of ongoing racial hatred and violence.
Seeker of Truth by
Little by little, drop by drop Kailash Satyarthi devoted his life to battling international child labor and exploitation. In 2014 his work earned him a Nobel Peace Prize alongside Malala Yousafzai. "My only aim in life is that every child is free to be a child." Kailash Satyarthi has fought injustice his whole life. As a young boy, he raised money so poor children could attend school. When he was a teen, he combatted caste discrimination by sharing a meal with "untouchables." And as an adult, he fought against child labor and for increased education, ultimately rescuing hundreds of thousands of children worldwide. In 2014, he was recognized for his efforts, winning a Nobel Peace Prize alongside Malala Yousafzai. This inspiring picture book shows that anyone can strive for change in their community that make a big difference around the world.
The House Before Falling into the Sea by
A child and her family take in refugees during the Korean War in this poignant picture book about courage and what it really means to care for your neighbors. Every day, more and more people fleeing war in the north show up at Kyung Tak and her family's house on the southeastern shore of Korea. With nowhere else to go, the Taks' home is these migrants' last chance of refuge "before falling into the sea," and the household quickly becomes crowded, hot, and noisy. Then war sirens cry out over Kyung's city too, and her family and their guests take shelter underground. When the sirens stop, Kyung is upset-she wishes everything could go back to the way it was before- before the sirens, before strangers started coming into their home. But after an important talk with her parents, her new friend Sunhee, and Sunhee's father, Kyung realizes something important- We're stronger when we have each other, and the kindness we show one another in the darkest of times is a gift we'll never regret. ***Three starred reviews*** *"A poignant tale of light in the darkness-and compassion in times of war."-Kirkus Reviews
The Last Stand by
The author of Nigel and the Moon, delivers a tender intergenerational story inspired by his childhood in the rural south. Here's a farm stand that represents the importance of family, community, and hope. A PUBLISHERS WEEKLY, BOOKPAGE, and SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR . WINNER- National Council of Teachers of English Charlotte Huck Award for Outstanding Fiction for Children Every stand has a story. This one is mine. Saturday is for harvesting. And one little boy is excited to work alongside his Papa as they collect eggs, plums, peppers and pumpkins to sell at their stand in the farmer's market. Of course, it's more than a farmer's market. Papa knows each customer's order, from Ms. Rosa's pumpkins to Mr. Johnny's peppers. And when Papa can't make it to the stand, his community gathers around him, with dishes made of his own produce. Heartwarming illustrations complement the lyrical text in this poignant picture book that reveals a family's pride in their work, and reminds us to harvest love and hope from those around us.
Up, up, Ever up! Junko Tabei: a Life in the Mountains by
Anita Yasuda's evocative picture book biography about Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Everest, is equal parts grit and grace. Dazzlingly illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Yuko Shimizu. "An inspiring biography of a trailblazing woman, lyrically told and lushly illustrated. This important story reminds us that pursuing our dreams can not only empower us, but others as well." --Andrea Wang, bestselling author of the Newbery Honor and Caldecott Medal-winning Watercress "A heartwarming and inspiring story of how climbing can ultimately connect us back down with the earth and those around us." --Ashima Shiraishi, bestselling author of How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion "If the world doesn't know who Junko Tabei was, then this is the introduction." --Ken Mochizuki, bestselling author of Baseball Saved Us Junko Tabei dreamed of a life climbing mountains. But men refused to climb with her. Sponsors told her to stay home. And gloves were not made to fit her hands. Junko, eager and unstoppable, wouldn't let these obstacles get in her way. Instead, she planned an expedition to summit Mount Everest with an all-women team. Battling icy peaks, deep crevasses, and even an avalanche, Junko refused to give up. She climbed step by step . . . up, up, ever up! After summiting the world's tallest peak, Junko took on a new challenge: protecting the wild spaces she loved for future generations. This gorgeously illustrated celebration of a trailblazing climber who shattered gender stereotypes invites us to dare to reach our dreams--no matter how big.
Amil and the After by
A hopeful and heartwarming story about finding joy after tragedy, Amil and the After is a companion to the beloved and award-winning Newbery Honor novel The Night Diary, by acclaimed author Veera Hiranandani At the turn of the new year in 1948, Amil and his family are trying to make a home in India, now independent of British rule. Both Muslim and Hindu, twelve-year-old Amil is not sure what home means anymore. The memory of the long and difficult journey from their hometown in what is now Pakistan lives with him. And despite having an apartment in Bombay to live in and a school to attend, life in India feels uncertain. Nisha, his twin sister, suggests that Amil begin to tell his story through drawings meant for their mother, who died when they were just babies. Through Amil, readers witness the unwavering spirit of a young boy trying to make sense of a chaotic world, and find hope for himself and a newly reborn nation.
Barracoon: Adapted for Young Readers by
In the first middle grade offering from Zora Neale Hurston and Ibram X. Kendi, young readers are introduced to the remarkable and true-life story of Cudjo Lewis, one of the last survivors of the Atlantic human trade, in an adaptation of the internationally bestselling and critically acclaimed Barracoon. This is the life story of Cudjo Lewis, as told by himself. Of the millions of men, women, and children transported from Africa to America to be enslaved, eighty-six-year-old Cudjo Lewis was then the only person alive to tell the story of his capture and bondage--fifty years after the Atlantic human trade was outlawed in the United States. Cudjo shared his firsthand account with legendary folklorist, anthropologist, and writer Zora Neale Hurston. Adapted with care and delivered with age-appropriate historical context by award-winning historian Ibram X. Kendi, Cudjo's incredible story is now available for young readers and emerging scholars. With powerful illustrations by Jazzmen Lee-Johnson, this poignant work is an invaluable contribution to our shared history and culture.
Fake Chinese Sounds by
A middle-grade graphic novel about a Taiwanese American girl navigating identity, bullying, and the messy process of learning to be comfortable in her skin. Between homework, studying, and Chinese school, Měi Yīng's summer is shaping up to be a boring one. Her only bright spots are practice with her soccer team, the Divas, and the time spent with her năi nai, who is visiting from Taiwan. Although Měi Yīng's Mandarin isn't the best and Năi Nai doesn't speak English, they find other ways to connect, like cooking guotiē together and doing tai chi in the mornings. By the end of the summer, Měi Yīng is sad to see Năi Nai go-she's the com-plete opposite of Měi Yīng serious professor mother-but excited to start fifth grade. Until new kid Sid starts making her the butt of racist jokes. Her best friend, Kirra, says to ignore him, but does everyone else's silence about the harassment mean they're also ignoring Sid . . . or her? As Sid's bullying fuels Měi Yīng's feelings of invisibility, she must learn to reclaim her identity and her voice. Perfect for fans of American Born Chinese by Gene Luen Yang, The Legend of Auntie Po by Shing Yin Khor, Measur-ing Up by Lily LaMotte, and The New Kid by Jerry Craft.
Find Her by
Five years, three months, and twelve days. That's how long Wren's mother has been missing. An Edgar Award Nominee In dreams, Wren can see her again: her eyes, her hair, her smile. She can even hear her laugh. Her mother, one of hundreds of Native Americans considered missing or murdered in Oklahoma. Sometimes it seems like Wren and her grandmother are the only people still looking. Even more frustrating, Wren's overprotective father won't talk about it. Wren refuses to give up, though. And an opportunity to find lost pets seems like a real way to hone her detective skills. But everything changes when one of the missing pets is found badly hurt. Soon, there are others. With help from an unlikely friend, Wren vows to unmask whoever is behind the animal abuse. If she can do this, maybe she can do the same for her mother's case. She'll just have to keep it secret from her father who will certainly put an end to all her sleuthing if he finds out. Find Her explores the crisis of missing Indigenous women from the perspective of a sensitive young Cherokee girl who yearns to find her mother, while also navigating a chilling town mystery, a new friendship, and a family in need of healing. A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection A Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist A Rise: A Feminist Book Project Top 10 Title
Force of Nature: a Novel of Rachel Carson by
A beautiful, hopeful story of how a young impassioned naturalist grows up to change the world. For everyone who cares about our fragile planet and perfect for fans of Wishtree and Wildoak. "An absolute joy to read." --Book Riot Rachel was a girl who loved science and the sea, books and writing and all the creatures of the world. Rachel was quiet, a listener by nature. But when she saw problems, she could not remain silent. Some people thought girls shouldn't be scientists. They thought girls shouldn't use their voices to question or challenge, even to protect all the creatures of the world. Luckily Rachel didn't listen to them.
I'm from Here Too by
Kashmira Sheth's eloquent verse novel follows an Indian American Sikh boy through a year of change, challenges, and growth Anoop is many things: a brother, a son, a grandson, a friend, a middle school student, and a budding writer. He is also Indian American and Sikh. When he joins a new class, separated from longtime friends, aspects of his identity--especially his long hair, covered with a patka--draw attention in new and uncomfortable ways. At the same time, his beloved grandfather in India is nearing death, leading Anoop to think about faith and identity and his place in the world, especially as attacks on American Sikhs accelerate and he is reminded of his grandfather's experiences during Partition. Can the tenets of his faith--equality, justice, service, honesty--help Anoop navigate life? Can he even maintain them? A Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalist
Kareem Between by
**WINNER of the NATIONAL BOOK AWARD for Young People's Literature** This heartfelt coming-of-age novel in verse tells the powerful story of a seventh-grade Syrian American boy and his struggles, big and small, as he navigates middle school. "The exact type of book I would've loved, and needed, as a kid." -- Jasmine Warga, New York Times bestselling author of and Newbery Honor recipient for Other Words for Home Seventh grade begins, and Kareem's already fumbled it. His best friend moved away, he messed up his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was voluntold to show the new kid--a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent--around school. Just when Kareem thinks his middle school life has imploded, the hotshot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. There's a catch: to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong. Then, like a surprise blitz, Kareem's mom returns to Syria to help her family but can't make it back home. If Kareem could throw a penalty flag on the fouls of his school and home life, it would be for unnecessary roughness. Kareem is stuck between. Between countries. Between friends, between football, between parents--and between right and wrong. It's up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle.
Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice by
Most Anticipated Middle Grade Reads of 2024: Teen Librarian Toolbox, School Library Journal For fans of Donna Barba Higuera''s Lupe Wong Won''t Dance and Aida Salazar''s The Moon Within comes Mani Semilla Finds Her Quetzal Voice - a contemporary middle grade novel full of spunk and activist heart. Life sucks when you''re twelve. You''re not a little kid, but you''re also not an adult, and all the grown-ups in your life talk about your body the minute it starts getting a shape. And what sucks even more than being a Chinese-Filipino-American-Guatemalan who can''t speak any ancestral language well? When almost every other girl in school has already gotten her period except for you and your two besties. Manuela "Mani" Semilla wants two things: To get her period, and to thwart her mom''s plan of taking her to Guatemala on her thirteenth birthday. If her mom''s always going on about how dangerous it is in Guatemala, and how much she sacrificed to come to this country, then why should Mani even want to visit? But one day, up in the attic, she finds secret letters between her mom and her Tía Beatriz, who, according to family lore, died in a bus crash before Mani was born. But the letters reveal a different story. Why did her family really leave Guatemala? What will Mani learn about herself along the way? And how can the letters help her to stand up against the culture of harassment at her own school? P R A I S E "Anna Lapera expertly voices a young girl''s middle school trials, but with a voice so unique and heartfelt you will be cringing one moment and cheering the next. She weaves a distinctive story filled with humor, family heartache, and secrets while a young girl releases the fear of her voice and grasps its power." --Newbery Medalist Donna Barba Higuera ★ "With strong writing, frank conversations about periods, anatomy, and bodily autonomy, plus dynamic characters, this solidly upper middle grade/lower YA story will empower readers, affirm their own middle school experiences, and show that people should be held accountable for the many daily offenses girls and women are subjected to. A powerful look at collective action that shows when we raise our voices together, we don''t just make noise--we sing. Not to be missed." --School Library Journal (starred) ★ "Lapera''s debut novel focuses on the disparities against women, shedding light on the femicides occurring in other countries. Readers will root for Mani as she develops the courage to advocate for herself and other girls, even when it''s frightening. A great introduction for middle-schoolers and tween readers on topics such as consent and the #MeToo movement." --Booklist (starred) "Using perceptive prose, debut author Lapera approaches Guatemala''s fraught history with care and respect, and lovingly spotlights the tension felt in the relationship between a protective mother and the daughter who seeks independence from her." --Publishers Weekly "A poignant, feminist coming-of-age story."--Kirkus "Lapera''s writing shines in the rendering of connection and levity with friends and family. There are laugh-out-loud moments, from the bizarre to the everyday. There is inspiration and hope ... Amid the frankness about challenging topics, readers will also encounter warmth and a pervading sense of capability and inner strength in finding their own voices." --Horn Book "This impressive debut will make you laugh, cheer, and stand up on the nearest table to protest injustice, probably all before you finish chapter one." --LitHub "A beautifully told, poignant story about courage and the power of tradition. Maní''s newly discovered voice will inspire all of us to find our own way to speak out against oppression."" --Award-winning author Francisco X. Stork
The John Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the American Library Association for the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year. It was named after eighteenth century British bookseller, John Newbery. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Newbery Medal Winner
The First State of Being by
WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL A FINALIST FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER INDIE BESTSELLER Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Older Readers of 2024 Shelf Awareness Best Books of 2024 for Kids and Teens BookPage Best Middle Grade of 2024 Common Sense Media Best Books of 2024 2025 Excellence in Children's and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable List When twelve-year-old Michael Rosario meets a mysterious boy from the future, his life is changed forever. From bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly, also the winner of the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, this novel explores themes of family, friendship, trust, and forgiveness. The First State of Being is for fans of Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me. It's August 1999. For twelve-year-old Michael Rosario, life at Fox Run Apartments in Red Knot, Delaware, is as ordinary as ever--except for the looming Y2K crisis and his overwhelming crush on his sixteen-year-old babysitter, Gibby. But when a disoriented teenage boy named Ridge appears out of nowhere, Michael discovers there is more to life than stockpiling supplies and pining over Gibby. It turns out that Ridge is carefree, confident, and bold, things Michael wishes he could be. Unlike Michael, however, Ridge isn't where he belongs. When Ridge reveals that he's the world's first time traveler, Michael and Gibby are stunned but curious. As Ridge immerses himself in 1999--fascinated by microwaves, basketballs, and malls--Michael discovers that his new friend has a book that outlines the events of the next twenty years, and his curiosity morphs into something else: focused determination. Michael wants--no, needs--to get his hands on that book. How else can he prepare for the future? But how far is he willing to go to get it? A story of time travel, friendship, found family, and first loves, this thematically rich novel is distinguished by its voice, character development, setting, and exploration of the issues that resonate with middle grade readers. Finalist for the National Book Award and Winner of the Newbery Medal.
2025 Newbery Award Honor Books
Across So Many Seas by
NEWBERY HONOR WINNER "As lyrical as it is epic, Across So Many Seas reminds us that while the past may be another country, it's also a living, breathing song of sadness and joy that helps define who we are." --Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee Spanning over 500 years, Pura Belpré Award winner Ruth Behar's epic novel tells the stories of four girls from different generations of a Jewish family, many of them forced to leave their country and start a new life. In 1492, during the Spanish Inquisition, Benvenida and her family are banished from Spain for being Jewish, and must flee the country or be killed. They journey by foot and by sea, eventually settling in Istanbul. Over four centuries later, in 1923, shortly after the Turkish war of independence, Reina's father disowns her for a small act of disobedience. He ships her away to live with an aunt in Cuba, to be wed in an arranged marriage when she turns fifteen. In 1961, Reina's daughter, Alegra, is proud to be a brigadista, teaching literacy in the countryside for Fidel Castro. But soon Castro's crackdowns force her to flee to Miami all alone, leaving her parents behind. Finally, in 2003, Alegra's daughter, Paloma, is fascinated by all the journeys that had to happen before she could be born. A keeper of memories, she's thrilled by the opportunity to learn more about her heritage on a family trip to Spain, where she makes a momentous discovery. Though many years and many seas separate these girls, they are united by a love of music and poetry, a desire to belong and to matter, a passion for learning, and their longing for a home where all are welcome. And each is lucky to stand on the shoulders of their courageous ancestors.
One Big Open Sky by
A Newbery Honor Book Three women narrate a perilous wagon journey westward that could set them free--or cost them everything they have--in this intergenerational verse novel that explores the history of the Black homesteader movement. 1879, Mississippi. Young dreamer Lettie may have her head in the stars, but her body is on a covered wagon heading westward. Her father, Thomas, promises that Nebraska will be everything the family needs: an opportunity to claim the independence they've strived for over generations on their very own plot of land. But Thomas' hopes--and mouth--are bigger than his ability to follow through. With few supplies and even less money, the only thing that feels certain is danger. Right after the war ended/and we were free/we believed/all of us did/that couldn't nothing hurt us/the way master had when we were slaves/Couldn't no one tell us/how to live/how to die. Lettie, her mother, Sylvia, and young teacher Philomena are free from slavery--but bound by poverty, access to opportunity, and patriarchal social structures. Will these women survive the hardships of their journey? And as Thomas' desire for control overpowers his common sense, will they truly be free once they get there? Coretta Scott King Honor-winning author Lesa Cline-Ransome's striking verse masterfully portrays an underrepresented historical era. Tackling powerful themes of autonomy and Black self-emancipation, Cline-Ransome offers readers an intimate look into the lives of three women and an expansive portrait of generations striving for their promised freedom. A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children's Book of the Year An ALSC Notable Children's Book Selected for the Rise: Feminist Book List
The Wrong Way Home by
Twelve-year-old Fern believes she's living a noble life--but what if everything she's been told is a lie? This is a huge-hearted story about a girl learning to question everything--and to trust in herself. A NEWBERY HONOR BOOK * A CALIBA GOLDEN POPPY AWARD FINALIST * A KIRKUS REVIEWS AND BOOKLIST BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Fern's lived at the Ranch, an off-the-grid, sustainable community in upstate New York, since she was six. The work is hard, but Fern admires the Ranch's leader, Dr. Ben. So when Fern's mother sneaks them away in the middle of the night and says Dr. Ben is dangerous, Fern doesn't believe it. She wants desperately to go back, but her mom just keeps driving. Suddenly thrust into the treacherous, toxic, outside world, Fern thinks only about how to get home again. She has a plan, but it will take time. As that time goes by, though, Fern realizes there are things she will miss from this place--the library, a friend from school, the ocean--and there are things she learned at the Ranch that are just...not true. Now Fern will have to decide. How much is she willing to give up to return to the Ranch? Should she trust Dr. Ben's vision for her life? Or listen to the growing feeling that she can live by her own rules?
Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by
A Newbery Honor book and instant New York Times, USA Today, and indie bestseller! Award-winning author and artist Chanel Miller tells a fun, funny, and poignant story of friendship and community starring Magnolia Wu, a ten-year-old sock detective bent on returning all the lonely only socks left behind in her parents' NYC laundromat. Down at the bottom of the tall buildings of New York City, Magnolia Wu sits inside her parents' laundromat. She has pinned every lost sock from the laundromat onto a bulletin board in hopes that customers will return to retrieve them. But no one seems to have noticed. In fact, barely anyone has noticed Magnolia at all. What she doesn't know is that this is about to be her most exciting summer yet. When Iris, a new friend from California arrives, they set off across the city to solve the mystery of each missing sock, asking questions in subways and delis and plant stores and pizzerias, meeting people and uncovering the unimaginable. With each new encounter, Magnolia learns that when you're bold enough to head into the unknown, things start falling into place.
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 magazine. It recognizes an author's work in helping adolescents become aware of themselves and addressing questions about their role and importance in relationships, society, and in the world.
Tiffany D. Jackson is the recipient of the 2025 Margaret A. Edwards Award, honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens for “Allegedly,” “The Awakening of Malcolm X” (co-written with Ilyasah Shabazz), “Grown,” “Let Me Hear a Rhyme,” “The Long Walk” (a short story from the collaborative novel “Blackout”), “Monday’s Not Coming,” and “White Smoke.”
The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced the award today during the ALA’s LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience held January 24 – 27 in Phoenix.
Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing is emotional, authentic and relatable. Her narratives often blend gripping mysteries with powerful social commentary. In “Grown” a girl becomes entangled with a predatory superstar who is found dead. “White Smoke” modernizes the haunted house story through the lens of gentrification and mental illness. In “Allegedly” a teen struggles to reclaim her life while uncovering the truth about a crime.
Jackson’s books shed light on underrepresented voices, making her characters memorable. In “Let Me Hear a Rhyme,” teens honor their deceased friend by turning him into a rap sensation. In “Monday’s Not Coming,” a young girl goes missing and only her best friend notices. “The Awakening of Malcolm X,” delves into Malcolm X's transformative years in prison. “The Long Walk,” is a short story that looks at young love as two teens confront their unresolved feelings on a walk.
“Tiffany D. Jackson’s writing is broad in scope, subject and character. She can weave together genres, intricate plots and real-world issues to create an entertaining and commanding read. Her books resonate deeply with teens and will continue to do so for years to come,” said Edwards Committee Chair Rachel Adams.
Source: American Library Association
The Michael L. Printz Award annually honors the best book written for teens each year. In addition, the Printz Committee names up to four honor books, which also represent the best writing in young adult literature. The award is named for a Topeka, Kansas school librarian who was a long-time active member of the Young Adult Library Services Association. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Printz Winner
Brownstone by 2025 Printz Honor Book
Bright Red Fruit by
An unflinching, honest novel in verse about a teenager's journey into the slam poetry scene and the dangerous new relationship that could threaten all her dreams. From the award-winning poet and author of HOME IS NOT A COUNTRY. Bad girl. No matter how hard Samira tries, she can't shake her reputation. She's never gotten the benefit of the doubt--not from her mother or the aunties who watch her like a hawk. Samira is determined to have a perfect summer filled with fun parties, exploring DC, and growing as a poet--until a scandalous rumor has her grounded and unable to leave her house. When Samira turns to a poetry forum for solace, she catches the eye of an older, charismatic poet named Horus. For the first time, Samira feels wanted. But soon she's keeping a bigger secret than ever before--one that that could prove her reputation and jeopardize her place in her community. In this gripping coming-of-age novel from the critically acclaimed author Safia Elhillo, a young woman searches to find the balance between honoring her family, her artistry, and her authentic self.
The mission of the National Book Foundation is to celebrate the best literature in America, expand its audience, and ensure that books have a prominent place in American culture.
2024 National Book Award Winner in Young People's Literature
Kareem Between by
**WINNER of the NATIONAL BOOK AWARD for Young People's Literature** This heartfelt coming-of-age novel in verse tells the powerful story of a seventh-grade Syrian American boy and his struggles, big and small, as he navigates middle school. "The exact type of book I would've loved, and needed, as a kid." -- Jasmine Warga, New York Times bestselling author of and Newbery Honor recipient for Other Words for Home Seventh grade begins, and Kareem's already fumbled it. His best friend moved away, he messed up his tryout for the football team, and because of his heritage, he was voluntold to show the new kid--a Syrian refugee with a thick and embarrassing accent--around school. Just when Kareem thinks his middle school life has imploded, the hotshot QB promises to get Kareem another tryout for the squad. There's a catch: to secure that chance, Kareem must do something he knows is wrong. Then, like a surprise blitz, Kareem's mom returns to Syria to help her family but can't make it back home. If Kareem could throw a penalty flag on the fouls of his school and home life, it would be for unnecessary roughness. Kareem is stuck between. Between countries. Between friends, between football, between parents--and between right and wrong. It's up to him to step up, find his confidence, and navigate the beauty and hope found somewhere in the middle.
2024 National Book Award Young People's Literature Finalists
Buffalo Dreamer by
Summer and her family always spend relaxed summers in Alberta, Canada, on the reservation where her mom's family lives. But this year is turning out to be an eye-opening one. First, Summer has begun to have vivid dreams in which she's running away from one of the many real-life residential schools that tore Native children from their families and tried to erase their Native identities. Not long after that, she learns that unmarked children's graves have been discovered at the school her grandpa attended as a child. Now more folks are speaking up about their harrowing experiences at these places, including her grandfather. Summer cherishes her heritage and is heartbroken about all her grandfather was forced to give up and miss out on. When the town holds a rally, she's proud to take part to acknowledge the painful past and speak of her hopes for the future, and anxious to find someone who can fill her in on the source of her unsettling dreams.
The First State of Being by
WINNER OF THE NEWBERY MEDAL A FINALIST FOR THE 2024 NATIONAL BOOK AWARD A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER INDIE BESTSELLER Chicago Public Library Best Fiction for Older Readers of 2024 Shelf Awareness Best Books of 2024 for Kids and Teens BookPage Best Middle Grade of 2024 Common Sense Media Best Books of 2024 2025 Excellence in Children's and Young Adult Science Fiction Notable List When twelve-year-old Michael Rosario meets a mysterious boy from the future, his life is changed forever. From bestselling author Erin Entrada Kelly, also the winner of the Newbery Medal for Hello, Universe and a Newbery Honor for We Dream of Space, this novel explores themes of family, friendship, trust, and forgiveness. The First State of Being is for fans of Rebecca Stead's When You Reach Me. It's August 1999. For twelve-year-old Michael Rosario, life at Fox Run Apartments in Red Knot, Delaware, is as ordinary as ever--except for the looming Y2K crisis and his overwhelming crush on his sixteen-year-old babysitter, Gibby. But when a disoriented teenage boy named Ridge appears out of nowhere, Michael discovers there is more to life than stockpiling supplies and pining over Gibby. It turns out that Ridge is carefree, confident, and bold, things Michael wishes he could be. Unlike Michael, however, Ridge isn't where he belongs. When Ridge reveals that he's the world's first time traveler, Michael and Gibby are stunned but curious. As Ridge immerses himself in 1999--fascinated by microwaves, basketballs, and malls--Michael discovers that his new friend has a book that outlines the events of the next twenty years, and his curiosity morphs into something else: focused determination. Michael wants--no, needs--to get his hands on that book. How else can he prepare for the future? But how far is he willing to go to get it? A story of time travel, friendship, found family, and first loves, this thematically rich novel is distinguished by its voice, character development, setting, and exploration of the issues that resonate with middle grade readers. Finalist for the National Book Award and Winner of the Newbery Medal.
2024 National Book Award Young People's Literature Longlist
Mid-Air by
Longlisted for the National Book Award A tender-souled boy reeling from the death of his best friend struggles to fit into a world that wants him to grow up tough and unfeeling in this stunning illustrated middle grade novel in verse "full of vulnerability and hope" (Booklist, starred review) from the Newbery Honor-winning author of Genesis Begins Again. It's the last few months of eighth grade, and Isaiah feels lost. He thought his summer was going to be him and his boys Drew and Darius, hanging out, doing wheelies, watching martial arts movies, and breaking tons of Guinness World Records before high school. But now, more and more, Drew seems to be fading from their friendship, and though he won't admit it, Isaiah knows exactly why. Because Darius is...gone. A hit and run killed Darius in the midst of a record-breaking long wheelie when Isaiah should have been keeping watch, ready to warn: "CAR!" Now, Drew can barely look at Isaiah. But Isaiah, already quaking with ache and guilt, can't lose two friends. So, he comes up with a plan to keep Drew and him together--they can spend the summer breaking records, for Darius. But Drew's not the same Drew since Darius was killed, and Isaiah being Isaiah isn't enough for Drew anymore. Not his taste in clothes, his love for rock music, or his aversion to jumping off rooftops. And one day something unspeakable happens to Isaiah that makes him think Drew's right. If only he could be less sensitive, more tough, less weird, more cool, less him, things would be easier. But how much can Isaiah keep inside until he shatters wide open?
Wild Dreamers by
Longlisted for the National Book Award A Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Honor Book In this stirring young adult novel-in-verse from award-winning author Margarita Engle, love and conservation intertwine as two teens go on a "transformative journey celebrating the power of overcoming personal struggles to make a lasting impact" (Kirkus Reviews). Ana and her mother have been living out of their car ever since her militant father became one of the FBI's most wanted. Leandro has struggled with debilitating anxiety since his family fled Cuba on a perilous raft. One moonlit night, in a wilderness park in California, Ana and Leandro meet. Their connection is instant--a shared radiance that feels both scientific and magical. Then they discover they are not alone: a huge mountain lion stalks through the trees, one of many wild animals whose habitat has been threatened by humans. Determined to make a difference, Ana and Leandro start a rewilding club at their school, working with scientists to build wildlife crossings that can help mountain lions find one another. If pumas can find their way to a better tomorrow, surely Ana and Leandro can too.
The Mildred L. Batchelder Award is presented each year to an American publisher for the most outstanding children's book originally published in another country in a language other than English, and subsequently translated and published in the United States during the previous year. This award honors Mildred L. Batchelder, a former executive director of the Association for Library Service to Children, a believer in the importance of good books for children in translation from all parts of the world. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Mildred L. Batchelder Award Winner
John the Skeleton by
2025 Mildred L. Batchelder Award Winner 2025 USBBY Outstanding International Book 2022 Bologna Children's Book Fair Illustrators Exhibition Winner 2021 The White Ravens Catalog 2021 Tartu Prize for Children's Literature Everyone deserves a quiet, restful retirement. But for John, a newly retired classroom skeleton, life is just beginning. When John is adopted by Grams and Gramps and leaves the classroom to live on their farm, every day is an exciting new adventure: John rides in the car for the first time, makes a snow angel, scares away crooks, and becomes a source of comfort for Grams, Gramps, and their grandkids. With delightful illustrations and a charming cast of characters, John the Skeleton is a quirky, touching, and unforgettable book. Triinu Laan thoughtfully weaves aging and death into the fabric of life, crafting a tender portrait of what it means to care for one another, grow old together, and appreciate the little things.
2025 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Books
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"Unites STEM learning with literary excellence . . . an essential purchase." -- School Library Journal (STARRED REVIEW) "[A beautiful work of natural history." -- The Wall Street Journal "Astounding, unusual, and breathtaking dwellings."-- Shelf Awareness (STARRED REVIEW) "Stunning . . . An exceptional exploration." -- Booklist (STARRED REVIEW) A spectacular tour through the dwellings of twenty-seven different animals, from a hermit crab's secondhand shell to a beaver's lakeside dam to a comet moth's silk cocoon. Acclaimed creator Isabelle Simler presents a poetic journey through amazing animal homes across the world. In Europe, alpine marmots stay safe in underground refuges. In southeast Asia, Sumatran orangutans doze off in treetop bedrooms. In Mexico and the southwestern US, elf owls nest in holes in saguaro cacti. On every continent but Antarctica, honeybees mold wax into palaces for their queens. No matter where you travel, some creature is making an extraordinary place to call home. With connections to life cycles, camouflage, and other biological concepts, Home is a spellbinding showcase of the wonders of the natural world. Enchanting poetry, fascinating back matter, and intricately detailed art invite young readers to be amazed by the creativity and diversity of our animal neighbors.
Mr. Lepron's Mystery Soup by
A Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book Stunning artwork from the acclaimed illustrator of The Midnight Fair illuminates a sweet cautionary tale about a rabbit whose fabled soup-making gets away from him. Mr. Lepron is a rabbit who lives in a cozy burrow with many offspring. Every year on the first day of autumn, he reaps vegetables from the farmer's garden--carrots, onions, celery, beans, aromatic herbs, and much more--and makes the best soup on earth, adored by his family. As it simmers, he dozes and dreams of being a famous cook, hosted by kings. And sure enough, his soup is so good that it starts drawing creatures from all over--until one day a factory springs up in the woods, with Mr. Lepron presiding day and night and soup cans for sale in all the most renowned shops. But as demand rises, Mr. Lepron's dreams become fretful, and soon he starts hearing complaints: his soup is not as good as it was. Has his recipe changed--or has Mr. Lepron? How can he recapture the joy he once shared with his family? Mariachiara Di Giorgio's exquisitely detailed artwork appears lit from within as it captures the pastoral setting, a range of expressive forest animals, Mr. Lepron's fitful dreamscapes, and the palpable sense of peace as he rediscovers what truly matters.
An annual reading list of exceptional books for use in social studies classrooms, selected by social studies educators.The selection committee looks for books that emphasize human relations, represent a diversity of groups and are sensitive to a broad range of cultural experiences, present an original theme or a fresh slant on a traditional topic, are easily readable and of high literary quality, and have a pleasing format and, when appropriate, illustrations that enrich the text. For winning titles from this year and previous years, click here.
Reading science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) trade books is the perfect way for students to develop literacy skills while learning STEM content. Building upon a strong legacy of several decades of recommending outstanding science trade books, the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA) appointed a judging panel that has selected its second annual list of Best STEM Books. The list was chosen by volunteer educators, identified in cooperation with the Children's Book Council (CBC). For lists from this year and previous years, click here.
Reading science trade books is the perfect way for students to build literacy skills while learning science content. The books that appear in these lists were selected as outstanding children's science trade books. They were chosen by a book review panel appointed by the National Science Teaching Association (NSTA) and assembled in cooperation with the Children's Book Council (CBC). For lists from this year and previous years, click here.
The Odyssey Award is given annually to the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States. A list of winners and honor audiobooks from previous years can be found here.
2025 Odyssey Award Audiobook
A Plate of Hope by
A moving picture book biography about chef Jose Andres, who, along with his World Central Kitchen organization, is sure to inspire kids to help out in their own communities. A National Council of Teachers of English Recommended Book Jose Andres's love of cooking began as a young boy in Spain as he gathered the wood to make the fire that would cook the paella just right. Jose loved everything about it- the sizzling olive oil, the mounds of chopped vegetables, and the smell of saffron. When he left home, he realized he wanted to tell stories with food. And tell them he did, creating magic with the seeds of ripe tomatoes and pomegranates and cheese. His dreams grew until they were as big as the stars in the sky. He thought, No one should ever go hungry. I want to help feed the world-- and World Central Kitchen was born. From the earthquake in Haiti to the war in Ukraine and the Covid pandemic, Jose and his team at World Central Kitchen have been at the frontlines, serving more than 200 million meals and counting, and bringing comfort and hope in the darkest times. With a lyrical text and stunning illustrations, here is a picture book biography about a world-renowned humanitarian and chef that's sure to inspire a new generation of community helpers. Be sure not to miss our Spanish-language edition, Un plato de esperanza.
Black Girl You Are Atlas by
A Coretta Scott King Honor Book Winner of the Walter Dean Myers Award A thoughtful celebration of Black girlhood by award-winning author and poet Renée Watson. In this semi-autobiographical collection of poems, Renée Watson writes about her experience growing up as a young Black girl at the intersections of race, class, and gender. Using a variety of poetic forms, from haiku to free verse, Watson shares recollections of her childhood in Portland, tender odes to the Black women in her life, and urgent calls for Black girls to step into their power. Black Girl You Are Atlas encourages young readers to embrace their future with a strong sense of sisterhood and celebration. With full-color art by celebrated fine artist Ekua Holmes throughout, this collection offers guidance and is a gift for anyone who reads it.
![orbis pictus for 2021, [Printable and Downloadable] - Lomen](data:image/png;base64,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)
2025 Orbis Pictus Award Winner
Stealing Little Moon: the Legacy of the American Indian Boarding Schools (Scholastic Focus) by
"Stealing Little Moon is both a moving family saga and an expertly told true story that all Americans should know." --Steve Sheinkin, New York Times bestselling author of Bomb and Undefeated Scholastic Focus is the premier home of thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully designed works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle grade and young adult readers. These books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future. Little Moon There Are No Stars Tonight was four years old when armed federal agents showed up at her home and took her from her family. Under the authority of the government, she was sent away to a boarding school specifically created to strip her of her Ponca culture and teach her the ways of white society. Little Moon was one of thousands of Indigenous children forced to attend these schools across America and give up everything they'd ever known: family, friends, toys, clothing, food, customs, even their language. She would be the first of four generations of her family who would go to the Chilocco Indian Agricultural School. Dan SaSuWeh Jones chronicles his family's time at Chilocco--starting with his grandmother Little Moon's arrival when the school first opened and ending with him working on the maintenance crew when the school shut down nearly one hundred years later. Together with the voices of students from other schools, both those who died and those who survived, Dan brings to light the lasting legacy of the boarding school era. Part American history, part family history, Stealing Little Moon is a powerful look at the miseducation and the mistreatment of Indigenous kids, while celebrating their strength, resiliency, and courage--and the ultimate failure of the United States government to erase them.
2025 Orbis Pictus Award Honor Books
Borderlands and the Mexican American Story by
Until now, you've only heard one side of the story, about migrants crossing borders, drawn to the promise of a better life. In reality, Mexicans were on this land long before any borders existed. Here's the true story of America, from the Mexican American perspective. A SCHOOL LIBRARY JOURNAL BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR * A National Council of Teachers of English Honor Book The Mexican American story is usually carefully presented as a story of immigrants: migrants crossing borders, drawn to the promise of a better life. In reality, Mexicans were on this land long before any borders existed. Their culture and practices shaped the Southwestern part of this country, in spite of relentless attempts by white colonizers and settlers to erase them. From missions and the Alamo to muralists, revolutionaries, and teen activists, this is the true story of the Mexican American experience. The Race to the Truth series tells the true history of America from the perspective of different communities. These books correct common falsehoods and celebrate underrepresented heroes and achievements. They encourage readers to ask questions and to approach new information thoughtfully. Check out the other books in the series: Colonization and the Wampanoag Story, Slavery and the African American Story, and Exclusion and the Chinese American Story.
Ode to Grapefruit by
Before there was Mufasa...Before there was Darth Vader... There was a young boy names James Earl Jones, who spoke with a stutter and dreaded having to talk in class. Whenever James tried to voice his thoughts, his words got stuck in his throat. But James figured out a solution for his shame- if he didn't speak, he wouldn't stutter. And so he was silent...until he wrote his own poem, Ode to Grapefruit, and found a love for poetry. Lyrical text, stunning art, and compelling backmatter about stuttering pair together for a remarkable picture book about how a boy who refused to speak for eight years learned to manage his stutter through poetry--and grew up to become an EGOT-winning performer with a voice few could forget.
Life after Whale by
Follow a blue whale's enormous body to the bottom of the ocean, where it sets the stage for a bustling new ecosystem to flourish. All living things must one day die, and Earth's largest creature, the majestic blue whale, is no exception. But in nature, death is never a true ending. When this whale closes her eyes for the last time in her 90-year life, a process known as whale fall is just beginning. Her body will float to the surface, then slowly sink through the deep; from inflated behemoth to clean-picked skeleton, it will offer food and shelter at each stage to a vast diversity of organisms, over the course of a century and beyond. Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin's astonishing artwork enriches and amplifies engaging, well-researched text by Bill Nye the Science Guy writer Lynn Brunelle. Young lovers of the macabre will relish each page of Life After Whale. Meanwhile, those grappling with the hard subject of death will take solace in this honest look at the circle of life, which closes on a young whale enjoying the same waves as her ancestor. Additional back pages offer further info and reading recommendations on whales, whale falls, and ecosystems. An Orbis Pictus Honor Book A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids
Behold the Hummingbird by
Lyrical text and gorgeous illustrations take flight in this exploration of the tiny, gorgeous hummingbirds and its astonishing abilities. Hummingbirds are tiny and pretty, so you might find yourself taking them for granted. But these little birds are remarkable, fierce, and talented. In Behold the Hummingbird, readers will learn about species that can hover like a helicopter, fly backwards and upside down, and consume half their body weight in a single day.
2025 Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Books
Urban Coyotes by
A new addition to the acclaimed Scientists in the Field series, Urban Coyotes follows the scientists of the Urban Coyote Research Project as they track, study, and care for coyotes living among humans in one of America's largest cities, Chicago. But that's the thing about coyotes. They don't necessarily do what's typical or usual, nor what's expected or predicted. Coyotes are rule breakers. The fourth largest metropolitan area in North America is home to more than nine million people and a surprisingly large population of coyotes. Join the wildlife scientists of the Urban Coyote Research Project as they carry on their twenty-five-year mission: Studying the coyotes of Cook County, Illinois, home to the city of Chicago. Explore questions such as "Where did the coyotes come from--and why," "Are they a danger to Chicagoans," and "Do predators create healthier urban ecosystems" with real-life scientists in the field. Started by urban ecologist Stan Gehrt in the late 1990s when coyotes were first noticed entering the Chicago region, the Urban Coyote Research Project's mission is to help coyotes and human city dwellers live together in peace. With stunning up-close photography by Tom Uhlman, author Mary Kay Carson offers an in-depth look into how these mystifying wild creatures, and those dedicated to studying and protecting them, navigate urban spaces.
Sleepy by
From award-winning author Jennifer Ward and Caldecott Honor illustrator Robin Page, this "real eye-opener" (Kirkus Reviews, starred review) nonfiction picture book interweaves informative poems and prose to show the many different ways animals snooze! Just like people, all animals need sleep, but not all animals sleep in the same way. When dolphins sleep, half their brain stays awake. Snakes sleep with their eyes open. Giraffes sleep in five-minute intervals, while koalas sleep for twenty-two hours a day! From grizzly bears to hummingbirds, there are creatures of all sizes and habitats to wish a good night in this cozy and compelling book.
Daughter of the Light-Footed People by
Meet Lorena Ramírez, an Indigenous Rarámuri athlete from Mexico who is internationally known for winning ultramarathons in her traditional skirts and rubber sandals, in this nonfiction picture book. From the copper canyons of Mexico, her swift footsteps echo. Clip clap, clip clap. Experience a sixty-mile run with Indigenous athlete Lorena Ramírez. She runs in the traditional clothes of the Rarámuri, "the light-footed people," to show that her people and their way of life are alive and thriving--outpacing runners in modern, high-tech gear and capturing the world's attention. Lorena's career as an athlete is an inspiring real-life example of the power of perseverance that will encourage young readers to follow their own dreams.
Yasmeen Lari, Green Architect by
A poignant eco-biography about Pakistan's first female architect and humanitarian, Yasmeen Lari, who invented sustainable and affordable housing amid natural disaster, featuring back matter with photographs of Lari and her work. From an inquisitive and compassionate young girl to a world-renowned and award-winning architect and humanitarian, Yasmeen Lari has an empowering and inspiring life story. Learn about her success in a career dominated by men, her early work of advocating for and restoring historic buildings in Pakistan, and her turn to eco-friendly and sustainable design in the wake of natural disasters. Starting in 2005, earthquakes and floods raised Lari's attention to the need for rehabilitation building. The pioneering architect met the challenge head-on. Incorporating innovative modern design and traditional building practices and materials, Lari developed a blueprint for sustainable, disaster-resistant homes. Vibrantly illustrated, Yasmeen Lari, Green Architect gives an in-depth look at Lari's process from design and testing prototypes to teaching the communities she served the skills needed to rebuild alongside her. Delivering stunning illustrations and detailed text, Marzieh Abbas and Hoda Hadadi weave together a powerful ode to a contemporary icon. Back matter includes expanded biographical information about Lari in addition to photographs of her and her work.
We Sing from the Heart by
Junior Library Guild Gold Selection California Eureka Non-Fiction Award Honor Book NCTE Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Book A compelling account of Simon Tam's fight for free speech that ended with a landmark Supreme Court decision Music is a way to transcend cultures and divides. Simon Tam used his band's name, The Slants®, to make a powerful statement that racist insults could no longer be hurtful to Asian Americans. But then the U.S. Trade and Patent Office tries to stop him. In his eight-year battle to win trademark protection, Simon would go all the way to the Supreme Court in a landmark case to rout out structural racism in our government systems. Mia Wenjen takes us back to Simon's early days and the formation of the band, to the long battle to claim the name they chose to use. We learn of his motivations and the years-long struggle that leads ultimately to the Supreme Court of the United States. Told using lyrics from the band's hit song about their trademark fight, this compelling story will keep readers riveted until the dramatic ending. We Sing from the Heart gives background and context to the significance of Simon's quest, not just for him and his band, but for free speech rights for us all. Newcomer to children's books, Victor Bizar Gómez, channels the indie music world with dynamic artwork that compliments the storytelling and is sure to draw in readers with his exciting graphic approach.
A Plate of Hope by
A moving picture book biography about chef Jose Andres, who, along with his World Central Kitchen organization, is sure to inspire kids to help out in their own communities. Jose Andres's love of cooking began as a young boy in Spain as he gathered the wood to make the fire that would cook the paella just right. Jose loved everything about it- the sizzling olive oil, the mounds of chopped vegetables, and the smell of saffron. When he left home, he realized he wanted to tell stories with food. And tell them he did, creating magic with the seeds of ripe tomatoes and pomegranates and cheese. His dreams grew until they were as big as the stars in the sky. He thought, No one should ever go hungry. I want to help feed the world-- and World Central Kitchen was born. From the earthquake in Haiti to the war in Ukraine and the Covid pandemic, Jose and his team at World Central Kitchen have been at the frontlines, serving more than 200 million meals and counting, and bringing comfort and hope in the darkest times. With a lyrical text and stunning illustrations, here is a picture book biography about a world-renowned humanitarian and chef that's sure to inspire a new generation of community helpers. Be sure not to miss our Spanish-language edition, Un plato de esperanza.
Wat Takes His Shot by
The stirring biography of Japanese American basketball star Wataru Misaka--the first person of color to play in the NBA! As a kid, Wataru Misaka channeled his endless energy into playing sports. Every Sunday, he raced to the park where his Japanese American community came together to play basketball. Wat wasn't the tallest on the team, but he was fast and loved the game! Encouraged by his father to always do his best, Wat applied this mentality to every aspect and challenge in his life. Wat was a college student when the US government forced more than 122,000 Japanese Americans living on the West Coast into incarceration camps during WWII. He overcame racism and segregation to join his college's basketball team but despite Wat's impressive skills, he was treated as an outsider because he was Japanese American. Wat kept his eye on the ball, and his team-player mentality made him shine on and off the court. He became an inspiration to his Japanese American community. After helping Utah University's basketball team win the national championship in 1947, Wat was drafted by the New York Knicks, making him the first person of color to play in the NBA. Wat's motivational story of rising to any challenge and bringing your best to everything you do is a reminder of the power we each have to inspire others--if we just take our shot!
Listening to Trees by
A poetic and moving picture book biography celebrating the life and work of the visionary Japanese American woodworker George Nakashima. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, George Nakashima began a love story with trees that grew throughout his remarkable life as an architect, designer and woodworker. During World War II, George, with his wife Marion and their baby daughter, endured incarceration in Minidoka prison camp, where he drew comfort from the discipline of woodworking. Once free, George dedicated the rest of his life to crafting elegant furniture from fallen or discarded trees, giving fresh purpose and dignity to the wood and promoting a more peaceful world. Today, his pieces are displayed in museums and greatly coveted by collectors. His studio, now helmed by his daughter Mira, is still active in New Hope, Pennsylvania. Author Holly Thompson narrates Nakashima's life using haibun, a combination of haiku and prose, which twines smoothly through Toshiki Nakamura's earthy illustrations. A foreword by Mira Nakashima and robust back matter will deepen young readers' understanding of woodworking and poetry, and offer added insights to the work of a master artisan. An Orbis Pictus Recommended Title
The Pura Belpre Award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library. It is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Pura Belpre Award Children's Author Winner
Lola by
A simmering tale of magic, adventure, and the extraordinary bond between a brother and sister who'd journey to the ends of the Earth to save each other. From the acclaimed author of Loteria comes a heartfelt story rooted in Mexican magical realism. A KIRKUS REVIEWS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR Ten-year-old Lola has always been touched by magic. In her Mexico City home, built around a towering tree, she is accustomed to enchanted blooms that change with the seasons, a sandbox that spits out mysterious treasures, and mischievous chaneques that scuttle about unseen by all but her. Magic has always been a part of her life, but now she must embrace the extraordinary as never before. Ever since The Thing That Happened, Lola's brother Alex has been sick. As his condition worsens, something begins eating away at the tree, causing its leaves and blossoms to crumble like ash. The two are related, Lola is sure of it, but how? Seeking a cure, she visits a grocery store oracle who bids her to follow the chaneques down one of their secret passages... into a hidden world. Here in Floresta, a land of myths and monsters and marvels untold, lies the key to healing her brother. But the kingdom's young queen stands in the way. Lola must use her wits and face her deepest fears if there's any hope of saving Alex in time.
2025 Pura Belpre Award Children's Author Honor Books
Cruzita and the Mariacheros by
Praise for Cruzita and the Mariacheros by Ashley Granillo: Pura Belpré Children's Author Honor Book Cruzita is going to be a pop star. All she has to do is win a singing contest at her favorite theme park and get famous. But she can't go to the theme park this summer. Instead, she has to help out at her family's bakery, which has been struggling ever since Tío Chuy died. Cruzita's great-uncle poured his heart into the bakery--the family legacy--and now that he's gone, nothing is the same. When Cruzita's not rolling uneven tortillas or trying to salvage rock-hard conchas, she has to take mariachi lessons, even though she doesn't know how to play her great-grandpa's violin and she's not fluent in Spanish. At first, she's convinced her whole summer will be a disaster. But as she discovers the heart and soul of mariachi music, she realizes that there's more than one way to be a star―and more than one way to carry on a legacy.
Ultraviolet by
A PURA BELPRÉ AWARD HONOR BOOK Sometimes life explodes in technicolor. In the spirit of Judy Blume, award-winning author Aida Salazar tells it like it is about puberty, hormones, and first love in this hilarious, heartwarming, and highly relatable coming-of-age story. Perfect for fans of Jason Reynolds, Kwame Alexander, and Adib Khorram. "Savagely funny and deeply human." --New York Times Review * "Stunning...A story that sings to the soul." --Kirkus Reviews, starred review For Elio Solis, eighth grade fizzes with change--His body teeming with hormones. His feelings that flow like lava. His relationship with Pops, who's always telling him to man up, the Solis way. And especially Camelia, his first girlfriend. But then, betrayal and heartbreak send Elio spiraling toward revenge, a fight to prove his manhood, and defend Camelia's honor. He doesn't anticipate the dire consequences--or that Camelia's not looking for a savior. Ultraviolet digs deep into themes of consent, puberty, masculinity, and the emotional lives of boys, as it challenges stereotypes and offers another way to be in the world.
2025 Pura Belpre Award Youth Illustrator Winner
The Dream Catcher by
PURA BELPRÉ AWARD WINNER FOR ILLUSTRATION For fans of Last Stop on Market Street, an uplifting story about a boy who stays true to his biggest dream while finding the magic in every moment. Some people dream of perfect waves, fancy castles, or piloting a plane. Others dream of someone to laugh and play with all day long. Some just dream of having a meal for the next day. And little Miguel? As he and Abuelito work in the hot Oaxacan sun, selling cold coconuts and macrame dream catchers to earn a few coins, Miguel has only one simple wish--to have his parents by his side. But how can he keep the faith when the truth is that dreams don't always come to pass? Marcelo Verdad's poignant tale of hope and resilience shows how living in the here and now can be a journey every bit as beautiful as a dream. A Spanish edition, El atrapasueños, is also available for purchase.
2025 Pura Belpre Award Youth Illustrator Honor Book
A Maleta Full of Treasures by
Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Award From an award-winning author and illustrator, a warm, gentle ode to cherished visits from grandparents and the people and places that make us who we are even if we haven't met them yet. It's been three years since Abuela's last visit, and Dulce revels in every tiny detail--from Abuela's maletas full of candies in crinkly wrappers and gifts from primos to the sweet, earthy smell of Peru that floats out of Abuela's room and down the hall. But Abuela's visit can't last forever, and all too soon she's packing her suitcases again. Then Dulce has an idea: maybe there are things she can gather for her cousins and send with Abuela to remind them of the U.S. relatives they've never met. And despite having to say goodbye, Abuela has one more surprise for Dulce--something to help her remember that home isn't just a place, but the deep-rooted love they share no matter the distance.
Abuelo, the Sea, and Me by
Pura Belpré Honor Book for Children's Illustration Abuelo, the Sea, and Me is a tender, heartwarming picture book that vividly explores intergenerational connections, family history, and the immigrant experience. When this grandchild visits her abuelo, he takes her to the ocean. In summer, they kick off their shoes and let the cool waves tickle their toes. In winter, they stand on the cliff and let the sea spray prick their noses and cheeks. No matter the season, hot or cold, their favorite place to spend time together is the beach. It's here that Abuelo is able to open up about his youth in Havana, Cuba. As they walk along the sand, he recalls the tastes, sounds, and smells of his childhood. And with his words, Cuba comes alive for his grandchild.
2025 Pura Belpre Young Adult Author Award Winner
Shut up, This Is Serious by 2025 Pura Belpre Young Adult Author Honor Books
Wild Dreamers by
Longlisted for the National Book Award A Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Honor Book In this stirring young adult novel-in-verse from award-winning author Margarita Engle, love and conservation intertwine as two teens go on a "transformative journey celebrating the power of overcoming personal struggles to make a lasting impact" (Kirkus Reviews). Ana and her mother have been living out of their car ever since her militant father became one of the FBI's most wanted. Leandro has struggled with debilitating anxiety since his family fled Cuba on a perilous raft. One moonlit night, in a wilderness park in California, Ana and Leandro meet. Their connection is instant--a shared radiance that feels both scientific and magical. Then they discover they are not alone: a huge mountain lion stalks through the trees, one of many wild animals whose habitat has been threatened by humans. Determined to make a difference, Ana and Leandro start a rewilding club at their school, working with scientists to build wildlife crossings that can help mountain lions find one another. If pumas can find their way to a better tomorrow, surely Ana and Leandro can too.
The Caldecott Medal is presented to the illustrator of the most distinguished picture book for children published in the United States during the preceding year. It was named after nineteenth century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Caldecott Medal Winner
Chooch Helped by
WINNER OF THE CALDECOTT MEDAL! A Cherokee girl introduces her younger brother to their family's traditions--begrudgingly!--in a heartfelt picture book full of gorgeous collage illustrations from debut artist Rebecca Lee Kunz. Sissy's younger brother Chooch isn't a baby anymore. They just celebrated his second birthday, after all. But no matter what Chooch does--even if he's messing something up! Which is basically all the time!--their parents say he's "helping." Sissy feels that Chooch can get away with anything! When Elisi paints a mural, Chooch helps. When Edutsi makes grape dumplings, Chooch helps. When oginalii gigs for crawdads, Chooch helps. When Sissy tries to make a clay pot, Chooch helps-- "Hesdi!" Sissy yells. Quit it! And Chooch bursts into tears. What follows is a tender family moment that will resonate with anyone who has welcomed a new little one to the fold. Chooch Helped is a universal story of an older sibling learning to make space for a new child, told with grace by Walter Award-winner Andrea L. Rogers and stunning art from Rebecca Lee Kunz, and showing one Cherokee family practicing their cultural traditions.
2025 Caldecott Medal Honor Books
Home in a Lunchbox by
**WINNER OF THE CALDECOTT HONOR** Cherry Mo's stunning debut is about a young girl who immigrates to America and finds home in an unexpected place. When Jun moves from Hong Kong to America, the only words she knows are hello, thank you, I don't know, and toilet. Her new school feels foreign and terrifying. But when she opens her lunchbox to find her favorite meals--like bao, dumplings, and bok choy--she realizes home isn't so far away after all. Through lush art and spare dialogue, Cherry Mo's breathtakingly beautiful debut picture book reminds readers that friendship and belonging can be found in every bite.
My Daddy Is a Cowboy by
Tall. High as the clouds. Strong as a horse's back. Like a cowboy. In the early hours before dawn, a young girl and her father greet their horses and ride together through the waking city streets. As they trot along, Daddy tells cowboy stories filled with fun and community, friendship, discovery, and pride. Seeing her city from a new vantage point and feeling seen in a new way, the child discovers that she too is a cowboy-strong and confident in who she is. Thoughtfully and lyrically written by debut author Stephanie Seales, with vibrant illustrations from award-winning artist C. G. Esperanza, this beautiful picture book is a celebration of Black joy, outdoor play, and quality time spent between child and parent.
Noodles on a Bicycle by
A vibrant historical picture book about Tokyo's bicycle food deliverers, or demae, who balanced towering trays of steaming hot noodles on their shoulders while navigating crowded city streets. A CALDECOTT HONOR BOOK * A Charlotte Zolotow Honor Book * A BOOKPAGE, KIRKUS REVIEWS, AND HORN BOOK BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR When the deliverymen set off in the morning, the children wait for the flicker of pedal and wheel. It's the demae-- delivery men-- setting off to deliver steaming trays of noodles to hungry customers all over the city. They are acrobats: whizzing past other bicycles, soaring around curves, avoiding the black smoke of motorcycles. When the children see them, they want to be them. And so they practice with bowls of wobbling water stacked on trays. The day passes, and, finally, exhausted, the demae return home, to their families, and, yes, to steaming bowls of noodles. This beautifully crafted, visually exciting story by a powerhouse author and illustrator team is sure to be adored by food lovers, young and old.
Up, up, Ever up! Junko Tabei: a Life in the Mountains by
Anita Yasuda's evocative picture book biography about Junko Tabei, the first woman to summit Everest, is equal parts grit and grace. Dazzlingly illustrated by Caldecott Honor artist Yuko Shimizu. "An inspiring biography of a trailblazing woman, lyrically told and lushly illustrated. This important story reminds us that pursuing our dreams can not only empower us, but others as well." --Andrea Wang, bestselling author of the Newbery Honor and Caldecott Medal-winning Watercress "A heartwarming and inspiring story of how climbing can ultimately connect us back down with the earth and those around us." --Ashima Shiraishi, bestselling author of How to Solve a Problem: The Rise (and Falls) of a Rock-Climbing Champion "If the world doesn't know who Junko Tabei was, then this is the introduction." --Ken Mochizuki, bestselling author of Baseball Saved Us Junko Tabei dreamed of a life climbing mountains. But men refused to climb with her. Sponsors told her to stay home. And gloves were not made to fit her hands. Junko, eager and unstoppable, wouldn't let these obstacles get in her way. Instead, she planned an expedition to summit Mount Everest with an all-women team. Battling icy peaks, deep crevasses, and even an avalanche, Junko refused to give up. She climbed step by step . . . up, up, ever up! After summiting the world's tallest peak, Junko took on a new challenge: protecting the wild spaces she loved for future generations. This gorgeously illustrated celebration of a trailblazing climber who shattered gender stereotypes invites us to dare to reach our dreams--no matter how big.
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. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal Winner
Life after Whale by
Winner of the Robert F. Sibert Medal Follow a blue whale's enormous body to the bottom of the ocean, where it sets the stage for a bustling new ecosystem to flourish. All living things must one day die, and Earth's largest creature, the majestic blue whale, is no exception. But in nature, death is never a true ending. When this whale closes her eyes for the last time in her 90-year life, a process known as whale fall is just beginning. Her body will float to the surface, then slowly sink through the deep; from inflated behemoth to clean-picked skeleton, it will offer food and shelter at each stage to a vast diversity of organisms, over the course of a century and beyond. Caldecott Medalist Jason Chin's astonishing artwork enriches and amplifies engaging, well-researched text by Bill Nye the Science Guy writer Lynn Brunelle. Young lovers of the macabre will relish each page of Life After Whale. Meanwhile, those grappling with the hard subject of death will take solace in this honest look at the circle of life, which closes on a young whale enjoying the same waves as her ancestor. Additional back pages offer further info and reading recommendations on whales, whale falls, and ecosystems. An Orbis Pictus Honor Book A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection One of Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year Winner of the Bank Street Children's Book Committee Flora Stieglitz Straus Award for Older Readers An ALSC Notable Children's Book
2025 Robert F. Sibert Honor Books
Call Me Roberto! by
A Robert F. Sibert Honor Book ALSC Notable Children's Book A BCCB Blue Ribbon Horn Book Fanfare 2024 NPR's Books We Love List 2024 NYPL Best Book 2024 Evanston Public Library's 101 Great Books for Kids 2024 Chicago Public Library Best of the Best 2024 Here is the inspirational story of Major League Baseball player Roberto Clemente--not Bob--who endured years of racism and discrimination to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. ★ School Library Journal, starred review ★ The Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books, starred review ★ Publishers Weekly, starred review ★ The Horn Book, starred review Roberto Clemente always loved baseball. Growing up in Carolina, Puerto Rico, he swung tree branches (since he didn't have a bat) and hit tin cans. He was always batting, pitching, running, sliding. His dedication paid off when, at the age of 19, he was tapped for a major league team. First stop: chilly Montreal . . . where he warmed the bench and himself, longing to play baseball. Months later, he finally got his chance with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente had an instant impact on the field--hitting the ball and making it to first base and finally home. Many Pittsburgh fans loved his bold style on the field, but not everyone was quick to embrace a Black man from Puerto Rico who spoke español. This nonfiction picture book by MLB.com journalist Nathalie Alonso and award-winning illustrator Rudy Gutierrez shows the emotional highs and lows of Roberto Clemente's career as he fought racism--from fans, reporters, and other figures in the sport--to become one of the greatest baseball players of all time. With English and Spanish words intermingled in the text, this book will inspire young readers as they learn about Clemente's contributions to Black, Latino, and American history.
The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II (Scholastic Focus) by
With numerous starred reviews and accolades, from award-winning author Candace Fleming, comes the powerful and fascinating story of the brave and dedicated young women who helped turn the tides of World War II for the Allies, with their hard work and determination at Bletchley Park. "Events are brought to dramatic life through a treasure trove of photographs--which show the goings-on at Bletchley and the sobering progress of the war--and through the author''s meticulous research." -- The New York Times Book Review "You are to report to Station X at Bletchley Park, Buckinghamshire, in four days time....That is all you need to know." This was the terse telegram hundreds of young women throughout the British Isles received in the spring of 1941, as World War II raged. As they arrived at Station X, a sprawling mansion in a state of disrepair surrounded by Spartan-looking huts with little chimneys coughing out thick smoke--these young people had no idea what kind of work they were stepping into. Who had recommended them? Why had they been chosen? Most would never learn all the answers to these questions. Bletchley Park was a well-kept secret during World War II, operating under the code name Station X. The critical work of code-cracking Nazi missives that went on behind its closed doors could determine a victory or loss against Hitler''s army. Amidst the brilliant cryptographers, flamboyant debutantes, and absent-minded professors working there, it was teenaged girls who kept Station X running. Some could do advanced math, while others spoke a second language. They ran the unwieldy bombe machines, made sense of wireless sound waves, and sorted the decoded messages. They were expected to excel in their fields and most importantly: know how to keep a secret. Candace Fleming is the award-winning and highly acclaimed author of Crash from Outer Space, The Curse of the Mummy, and many other nonfiction books for young readers. With her canny and compelling narrative voice she makes history come alive. The recipient of five starred reviews, and thick with tension and suspense, The Enigma Girls is an extraordinary and relatively unknown story of World War II that will fascinate readers who will be thrilled to see young people playing such an important role in the wartime effort. Scholastic Focus is the premier home of thoroughly researched, beautifully written, and thoughtfully designed works of narrative nonfiction aimed at middle-grade and young adult readers. These books help readers learn about the world in which they live and develop their critical thinking skills, so that they may become dynamic citizens who are able to analyze and understand our past, participate in essential discussions about our present, and work to grow and build our future. Praise for The Enigma Girls: "Events are brought to dramatic life through a treasure trove of photographs--which show the goings-on at Bletchley and the sobering progress of the war--and through the author''s meticulous research." -- The New York Times Book Review * "A thrilling account... Fleming does it again! [T]his compelling blend of WWII, cryptography, and women''s history... will mesmerize middle schoolers and inspire them to make an indelible impact on history, too." -- School Library Journal, starred review * "Fleming delivers a fascinating and cohesive overview of Bletchley Park''s necessarily siloed, collaborative inner workings that reveals how the figures'' ardent efforts affected the outcome of WWII." -- Publishers Weekly, starred review * "In this absorbing book, Fleming approaches the subject by telling the individual stories of 10 young women... who left their homes to work secretly on projects related to the German military''s Enigma cipher machine. Even readers with little interest in codes and ciphers will find the women''s experiences intriguing." -- Booklist, starred review * "This compulsively readable, compellingly written book will appeal to a broad audience, from readers already interested in World War II to those who are new to the subject." -- Kirkus Reviews, starred review * "[This] is a fascinating and emotionally moving perspective on the well-trod ground of WWII, carefully balanced and rich with details of technology, history, and humanity. This book is not just about deciphering the Enigma messages, however, as it peels back the mythological layers of history to depict the people, technology, mind-numbing mundanity, and heartbreaking tragedy of the war machine." -- The Bulletin of the Center for Children''s Books, starred review
The Girl Who Sang by
A heartrending graphic memoir about a young Jewish girl's fight for survival in Nazi occupied Poland, The Girl Who Sang illustrates the power of a brother's love, the kindness of strangers, and finding hope when facing the unimaginable. Born to a Jewish family in a small Polish village, Estelle Nadel--then known as Enia Feld--was just seven years old when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. Once a vibrant child with a song for every occasion, Estelle would eventually lose her voice as, over the next five years, she would survive the deaths of their mother, father, their eldest brother and sister, and countless others. A child at the mercy of her neighbors during a terrifying time in history, The Girl Who Sang is an enthralling first-hand account of Estelle's fight for survival during World War II. She would weather loss, betrayal, near-execution, and spend two years away from the warmth of the sun--all before the age of eleven. And once the war was over, Estelle would walk barefoot across European borders and find remnants of home in an Austrian displaced persons camp before finally crossing the Atlantic to arrive in New York City--a young woman carrying the unseen scars of war. Beautifully rendered in bright hues with expressive, emotional characters, debut illustrator Sammy Savos masterfully brings Estelle story of survival during the Holocaust to a whole new generation of readers. The Girl Who Sang is perfect for fans of March, Maus, and Anne Frank's Diary.
Wings of an Eagle by
A ROBERT F. SIBERT INFORMATIONAL BOOK AWARD HONOR BOOK Just in time for the 2024 Summer Olympics, here is a dramatic and inspiring autobiographical tale of overcoming odds by Native American gold medalist Billy Mills, with stunning illustrations by acclaimed Lakota artist SD Nelson. Billy Mills was once an orphan on the Oglala Lakota Pine Ridge Reservation. But before his father was called to the ancestors, he told Billy how to conquer his suffering: You have broken wings, son. You have to dig deeper, below the anger, the hurt, the self-pity. The pursuit of a dream will heal you. Despite poverty, racism, and severe health challenges, Billy raced toward his goal of becoming an Olympic athlete, inspired by his indigenous ancestors who stood strong when the odds were against them. Though at times he felt like his wings were clipped--a lone bird falling from the sky--he adapted and overcame, finally earning his place at the 1964 Olympics. This autobiographical tale of Billy Mills's awe-inspiring flight to a record-breaking gold medal, breathtakingly illustrated by award-winning Lakota artist SD Nelson, is a soaring testament to Billy's legacy and the Lakota prayer: we are all related.
The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for children, middle level students, and teens. A complete list of winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Schneider Family Book Award Winners
A Little Like Magic by
Winner of the Schneider Book Award and glistening with winter charm, this is an exhilarating, tender story of pushing past your comfort zone and finding inspiration in art and natural beauty. Our young narrator doesn't like itchy hats or cold wind, and she especially doesn't like going places she's never been before. But she reluctantly agrees to join her mom at an ice festival, where they watch sculptors chisel and drill until it's too cold to watch anymore. That night the girl discovers that she has lost the horse figurine she'd brought with her, and she wishes she'd never gone . . . until the next night, when they return to the festival and see what the artists have created: sparkling, glorious sculptures that feel a little like magic. One surprise in particular seems even more magical to the girl. The ice art will stay with her long, long after it has melted away.
Popcorn by
The beloved author of Wink is back with a hilarious and moving story about coping with anxiety on a day when everything is going wrong Andrew's just trying to make it through Picture Day, which is easier said than done when it seems like the whole world is out to get him--from a bully to a science experiment gone wrong to a someone else's juice snot (don't ask). But as Andrew goes through the school day, and as one thing after another goes wrong, that little kernel of worry in his stomach is getting hotter and hotter, until it threatens to pop and turn into a public panic attack, his worst fear. He tries to keep his anxiety at bay, but the news that his grandmother with Alzheimer's is missing is too much. Interspersed with humorous spot art and "anxiety file" panels that depict the real, difficult feelings of anxiety and OCD and real tips for coping, this is a poignant, personal, and laugh-out-loud funny story about letting go of control and accepting help--all while trying to get the perfect school picture.
Chronically Dolores by
Winner of The Schneider Family Book Award, for excellence in portraying the disability experience! Maya Van Wagenen, bestselling author of Popular, tells Dolores's story with humor, heartache, and an occasional bit of telenovela flair. "A striking fiction debut." --Publishers Weekly, starred review "An insightful, funny, and realistic coming-of-age story." --Kirkus Dolores Mendoza is not thriving. She was recently diagnosed with a chronic bladder condition called interstitial cystitis. The painful disease isn't life-threatening, but it is threatening to ruin her life. Just when things seem hopeless, Dolores meets someone poised to change her fate. Terpsichore Berkenbosch-Jones is glamorous, autistic, and homeschooled against her will by her overprotective mother. After a rocky start, the girls form a tentative partnership. Beautiful, talented Terpsichore will help Dolores win back her ex-best friend, Shae. And Dolores will convince Terpsichore's mom that her daughter has the social skills to survive public school. It seems like a foolproof plan, but Dolores isn't always a reliable narrator, and her choices may put her in danger of committing an unforgivable betrayal.
2025 Schneider Family Book Award Honor Titles
Monster Hands by
Two best friends use rhyming ASL to help vanquish their fear of the monster under the bed in this fun, interactive bedtime readaloud. When nighttime comes, Milo has a problem--he's convinced there's a monster under his bed! Luckily, his best friend Mel knows just what to do--scare the monster more than the monster scares you! So using shadow puppets on the wall, Mel and Milo make monster hands that roar, chomp and even laugh to scare the monster away. But uh oh! What if the monster thinks this is funny! This is NOT funny! Milo has an idea to show the monster who's boss once and for all. Together Milo and Mel hatch a plan to scare the monster away forever. But in the end, they discover the true cure to a monster problem is a best friend who will stand and face it with you. Accompanied by warm, atmospheric art that dazzles, this soon-to-be bedtime favorite will provide much comfort to children facing a common bedtime fear.
You're SO Amazing! by
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor book! ​In this authentic and humorous picture book, a child with a limb difference is tired of being told how amazing he is for doing normal things. Joe and his friend Simone are practicing their best playground tricks, but everyone keeps saying how amazing Joe is, even when he tries to let Simone be the star. Will he ever get to be just Joe, whether he's amazing or not? This companion to What Happened to You? addresses the assumptions people make about those with disabilities in an accessible, honest, and funny way. Based on James Catchpole's childhood experiences and written with his wife, Lucy, a wheelchair user, You're SO Amazing! encourages young readers to think of disability the way disabled people do: as normal.
Louder Than Hunger by
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book "Every so often a book comes along that is so brave and necessary, it extends a lifeline when it's needed most. This is one of those books." --Katherine Applegate, author of the Newbery Medal-winning, The One and Only Ivan Revered teacher, librarian, and story ambassador John Schu explores anorexia--and self-expression as an act of survival--in the New York Times bestseller wrenching and transformative novel-in-verse. But another voice inside me says, We need help. We're going to die. Jake volunteers at a nursing home because he likes helping people. He likes skating and singing, playing Bingo and Name That Tune, and reading mysteries and comics aloud to his teachers. He also likes avoiding people his own age . . . and the cruelty of mirrors . . . and food. Jake has read about kids like him in books--the weird one, the outsider--and would do anything not to be that kid, including shrink himself down to nothing. But the less he eats, the bigger he feels. How long can Jake punish himself before he truly disappears? A fictionalized account of the author's experiences and emotions living in residential treatment facilities as a young teen with an eating disorder, Louder than Hunger is a triumph of raw honesty. With a deeply personal afterword for context, this much-anticipated verse novel is a powerful model for muffling the destructive voices inside, managing and articulating pain, and embracing self-acceptance, support, and love.
Shark Teeth by
From National Book Award longlisted author Sherri Winston comes an important middle grade novel about a girl's tumultuous journey to keep her family together, even when she's falling apart. Kirkus Prize Finalist Lone Star Reading List Selection Named a Best Book of the Year by Publishers Weekly, Kirkus, and School Library Journal Sharkita "Kita" Hayes is always waiting. Waiting for her mama to mess up. Waiting for social services to be called again. Waiting for her and her siblings to be separated. Waiting for her worst fear to come true. But Mama promises things are different now. She's got a good job, she's stopped drinking, stopped going out every night-it's almost enough to make Kita believe her this time. But even as Kita's life is going good, she can't shake the feeling that everything could go up in flames at any moment. When her assistant principal and trusted dance coach starts asking questions about her home life, Kita is more determined than ever to keep up appearances and make sure her family stays together-even if it means falling apart herself. As the threat of her family being separated again circles like a shark in the water, the pressure starts to get to Kita. But could it be that Kita's worst fear is actually the best thing that could happen to her family . . . and to her?
Light Enough to Float by
Deeply moving and authentic, this debut novel in verse--winner of a Schneider Family Book Award Honor--follows teenage Evie through her eating disorder treatment and recovery―a perfect choice for readers of Wintergirls and Louder Than Hunger. Evie has just barely acknowledged that she has an eating disorder when she's admitted to an inpatient treatment facility. Now her days are filled with calorie loading, therapy sessions, and longing--for home, for control, and for the time before her troubles began. As the winter of her treatment goes on, she gradually begins to face her fears and to love herself again, with the help of caregivers and of peers who are fighting their own disordered-eating battles. This insightful, beautiful novel will touch every reader and offer hope and understanding to those who need it most.
On the Bright Side by
A hopeful novel about love, disability, and the inevitability of change by the author of Give Me a Sign. Now in paperback! "Poignant, romantic, and deeply heartfelt." --Amber Smith, New York Times bestselling author of The Way I Used to Be Ellie's Deaf boarding school just shut down, forcing her to leave the place she considered home and return to her hearing family. But being mainstreamed into public school isn't exactly easy. So her guidance counselor pairs her with Jackson, a student who's supposed to help her adjust. Can the boy who tries to say the right things, and gets it all wrong, be the lifeline Ellie needs? Jackson has been avoiding his teammates ever since some numbness in his legs cost them an important soccer match. With his senior year off to a lonely start, he's intrigued when he's asked to help the new girl, initially thinking it will be a commendable move on his part. Little does he know Ellie will soon be the person he wants most by his side when the strange symptoms he's experiencing amount to a life-changing diagnosis. Exploring what it means to build community, Anna Sortino pens a story about the fear of the unknown and the beauty of the unexpected, all wrapped up in a poignant romance that will break your heart and put it back together again. "Tender, honest, and utterly human." --Adib Khorram, award-winning author of Darius the Great Is Not Okay
The National Council for the Social Studies established the Septima Clark Book Awards for the most distinguished books appropriate for young readers that depict women's issues globally. First presented in 2019, this award is intended to “encourage the writing, publishing, and dissemination of outstanding social studies books for young readers that treat topics related to women's issues sensitively and accurately.” Books relating to womens issues and the authors of such books rarely receive the recognition they merit from professional organizations. By sponsoring the Septima Clark Book Awards, NCSS gives wide recognition to and encourages these authors and publishers.
2024 Elementary Level Winner
The Lion Queen by
Author Rina Singh and illustrator Tara Anand presenta true tale of big cats and even bigger courage in this picture book inspired by the personal story of the Lion Queen, Rasila Vadher, who was Gir Forest's first female guard. "Never look a lion in the eyes," a mother tells her fearless girl. After a field trip to the Gir Forest, the girl learns all about the rare Asiatic lions of India, and from that day on, she dreams of taking care of them when she grows up. But not everyone thinks a girl has a right to such a dream, and so she stifles what she wishes for most, a roar growing inside her. That is, until the day she comes face-to-face with a lion. This empowering and exciting picture book is inspired by the story of Rasila Vadher, who grew up to become the first woman guardian and real-life Lion Queen at India's Gir Forest, the very place where she first fell in love with lions.
2024 Elementary Honorees
Chef Edna by
Edna Lewis loved to cook. Growing up on a farm in Freetown, Virginia, she learned the value of fresh, local, seasonal food from her Mama Daisy, as well as how to measure ingredients for biscuits using coins and to listen closely to her cakes to know when they were done. Edna carried these traditions with her all the way to New York City, where she became a celebrated chef, cooking traditional French food in her signature Southern style and introducing the world to the flavors of her home.
I Dare! I Can! I Will! by
Vera and Mamma are headed out for a march, but it's not just any march: It's October 24 in Reykjavík, and on this day in 1975, the women of Iceland took the day off, walked out of their homes and away from their jobs--as farmworkers, butchers, and fisherwomen; wives, daughters, and children--and marched to demand equality and change, chanting: "I dare! I can! I will!" And they did, inspiring and empowering girls and women to make change, not just in their country, but all around the world.
2024 Intermediate Winner
The Brilliant Calculator by
A Mathical Honor Book Hidden Figures meets Rosie Revere, Engineer in this STEM/STEAM picture book about Edith Clarke, the innovator who solved an electrical mystery and built the first graphing calculator--from paper! Long before calculators were invented, little Edith Clarke devoured numbers, conquered calculations, cracked puzzles, and breezed through brainteasers. Edith wanted to be an engineer--to use the numbers she saw all around her to help build America. When she grew up, no one would hire a woman engineer. But that didn't stop Edith from following her passion and putting her lightning-quick mind to the problem of electricity. But the calculations took so long! Always curious, Edith couldn't help thinking of better ways to do things. She constructed a "calculator" from paper that was ten times faster than doing all that math by hand! Her invention won her a job, making her the first woman electrical engineer in America. And because Edith shared her knowledge with others, her calculator helped electrify America, bringing telephones and light across the nation.
2024 Intermediate Honorees
Hidden Hope by
During World War II, families all across Europe huddled together in basements, attics, and closets as Nazi soldiers rounded up anyone Jewish. The Star of David, a symbol of faith and pride, became a tool of hate when the Nazis forced Jewish people to carry papers stamped with that star, so that it was clear who to capture. But many brave souls dared to help them.
2024 Secondary Winner
The Women Who Built Hollywood by
Discover the electrifying untold stories of the pioneering and groundbreaking women of Old Hollywood in this nonfiction book perfect for young movie buffs and budding feminists alike. Includes a foreword written by Marvel Studios' Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever Academy Award-Winning Costume Designer Ruth E. Carter. While recent phenomena like #OscarsSoWhite have reminded us that Hollywood can be an unfriendly place to people of color and to women, they have been an integral part of the industry from the beginning. In the early twentieth century, women from all walks of life fought against sexism and racism to succeed in Hollywood as actors, directors, costume designers, editors, and stunt women. From well-known, glamorous starlets like Mary Pickford and Lillian Gish, to under-appreciated trailblazers like Anna May Wong and Hattie McDaniel, acclaimed author Susan Goldman Rubin shows that movies wouldn't be the same without the women who succeeded against the odds and built Hollywood from the ground up. Filled with fascinating photographs and little-known facts, this rigorously researched book begins with a foreword by Ruth E Carter, who won Academy Awards in 2019 and 2023 for her work on Marvel Studios' Black Panther and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
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. 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 list of previous winners and honor books can be found here.
2025 Sydney Taylor Award Gold Medalists
An Etrog from Across the Sea by
Praise for An Etrog from Across the Sea by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky, illustrated by Stacey Dressen McQueen: Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner Papa has promised to bring home a perfect etrog for Sukkot from his journey across the sea. Leah and Aaron go to the docks every day to wait for his ship. But Rosh Hashanah passes, then Yom Kippur, and still Papa's ship doesn't arrive. Grandpapa Luis comforts Leah with a beautiful silver etrog cup, but will her papa return in time for Sukkot, bringing the promised etrog?
The Girl Who Sang by
A heartrending graphic memoir about a young Jewish girl's fight for survival in Nazi occupied Poland, The Girl Who Sang illustrates the power of a brother's love, the kindness of strangers, and finding hope when facing the unimaginable. Born to a Jewish family in a small Polish village, Estelle Nadel--then known as Enia Feld--was just seven years old when the Nazis invaded Poland in 1939. Once a vibrant child with a song for every occasion, Estelle would eventually lose her voice as, over the next five years, she would survive the deaths of their mother, father, their eldest brother and sister, and countless others. A child at the mercy of her neighbors during a terrifying time in history, The Girl Who Sang is an enthralling first-hand account of Estelle's fight for survival during World War II. She would weather loss, betrayal, near-execution, and spend two years away from the warmth of the sun--all before the age of eleven. And once the war was over, Estelle would walk barefoot across European borders and find remnants of home in an Austrian displaced persons camp before finally crossing the Atlantic to arrive in New York City--a young woman carrying the unseen scars of war. Beautifully rendered in bright hues with expressive, emotional characters, debut illustrator Sammy Savos masterfully brings Estelle story of survival during the Holocaust to a whole new generation of readers. The Girl Who Sang is perfect for fans of March, Maus, and Anne Frank's Diary.
Night Owls by 2025 Sydney Taylor Award Silver Medalists
Amazing Abe by
A Sydney Taylor Honor Book A loving tribute to a towering figure in Jewish American history from two award-winning creators. Two-time National Jewish Book Award winner Norman H. Finkelstein and Sydney Taylor Award winner Vesper Stamper have teamed up to tell the story of Abraham Cahan, the founder and longtime editor of the Yiddish language newspaper the Forverts (the Forward), which, in its heyday, was one of the largest newspapers in the United States. As the saying went: "What's a home without the Forverts?" From explaining voting rights to the importance of public health measures to everyday questions like how to play baseball, Cahan improved the lives of countless newly arrived Jewish immigrants who wanted to feel at home in a new, strange land. He also published celebrated writers such as Isaac Bashevis Singer and created the iconic advice column the Bintel Brief for homesick readers. Back matter includes a bibliography, a time line, more info on Cahan's life and the Yiddish language, and a note on the author's personal connection to the Forverts.
Rising by
An Association of Jewish Libraries Sydney Taylor Honor Book A quiet, joyful story celebrating a Jewish mother's tradition of making challah with her child merges a lyrical text with stunning illustrations--and includes the author's favorite recipe. Melt into the nooks and crannies of this book's unhurried pages, offering a place to rest and a pregnant pause for counting your many blessings--current and imminent! Here, a child and a mother measure, mix, knead, shape, and tuck their dough under a towel like a sleeping baby. Then, as they do every week, they wait while their dough rises, soon to be baked and gratefully shared at a Shabbat gathering with loved ones. Author Sidura Ludwig's poetic narration captures the experience of a Jewish family as they make challah--a lesson in patience, slowing down, faith, and family. Illustrator Sophia Vincent Guy brings light and warmth to the scene, from a sun-bleached, gossamer curtain to the rising steam from the bread, all rendered in delicate, decorative patterns. Whatever their background, readers will be happy to find the author's go-to recipe for challah at the end, along with a glossary and an author's note describing the personal meaning of her family's weekly ritual.
The Tree of Life by
Hope triumphs over fear in this poignant and impactful true story of the Holocaust--a delicate introduction to World War Two history for older picture book readers. During World War Two, in the concentration camp Terezin, a group of Jewish children and their devoted teacher planted and nurtured a smuggled-in sapling. Over time fewer and fewer children were left to care for the little tree, but those who remained kept lovingly sharing their water with it. When the war finally ended and the prisoners were freed, the sapling had grown into a strong five-foot-tall maple. Nearly eighty years later the tree's 600 descendants around the world are thriving . . . including one that was planted at New York City's Museum of Jewish Heritage in 2021. Students will continue to care for it for generations to come, and the world will remember the brave teacher and children who never gave up nurturing a brighter future.
Across So Many Seas by
NEWBERY HONOR WINNER "As lyrical as it is epic, Across So Many Seas reminds us that while the past may be another country, it's also a living, breathing song of sadness and joy that helps define who we are." --Alan Gratz, New York Times bestselling author of Refugee Spanning over 500 years, Pura Belpré Award winner Ruth Behar's epic novel tells the stories of four girls from different generations of a Jewish family, many of them forced to leave their country and start a new life. In 1492, during the Spanish Inquisition, Benvenida and her family are banished from Spain for being Jewish, and must flee the country or be killed. They journey by foot and by sea, eventually settling in Istanbul. Over four centuries later, in 1923, shortly after the Turkish war of independence, Reina's father disowns her for a small act of disobedience. He ships her away to live with an aunt in Cuba, to be wed in an arranged marriage when she turns fifteen. In 1961, Reina's daughter, Alegra, is proud to be a brigadista, teaching literacy in the countryside for Fidel Castro. But soon Castro's crackdowns force her to flee to Miami all alone, leaving her parents behind. Finally, in 2003, Alegra's daughter, Paloma, is fascinated by all the journeys that had to happen before she could be born. A keeper of memories, she's thrilled by the opportunity to learn more about her heritage on a family trip to Spain, where she makes a momentous discovery. Though many years and many seas separate these girls, they are united by a love of music and poetry, a desire to belong and to matter, a passion for learning, and their longing for a home where all are welcome. And each is lucky to stand on the shoulders of their courageous ancestors.
Finn and Ezra's Bar Mitzvah Time Loop by
Finn and Ezra's bar mitzvah weekend takes on a Groundhog Day twist in this hilarious and magical middle grade novel from Joshua S. Levy. Finn and Ezra don't have a lot in common--except, of course, that they're trapped in a bar mitzvah time loop, reliving their celebrations in the same New Jersey hotel over and over and over again. Not ideal, particularly when both kids were ready for their bar mitzvahs to end the moment they began. Ezra comes from a big family--four siblings, all seeming to get more attention than him, even on his bar mitzvah weekend. Finn is an only child who's tired of his parents' constant focus, even worse on his bar mitzvah weekend. They just want to get past it, just want to grow up. And now they're both stuck. Friday. Saturday. Sunday. No way out. Until Finn and Ezra meet and realize they're not alone. Teaming up, they try everything they can think of to break the loop. But nothing works, and after every reset, the boys' schemes become more desperate. As their frustrations build, the questions mount and real-life problems start to seep through the cracks. With all the time in the world, can Finn and Ezra ever figure out how to move forward
The Forbidden Book by
Dybbuks. Illegal printing. A genderqueer lesbian with a knife. Set against a backdrop of literary censorship and growing Jewish political consciousness, Sydney Taylor and Stonewall award-winning Sacha Lamb's sophomore novel is a soaring exploration of identity, survival, and ultimately, hope. On the night before her wedding, 17-year-old Sorel leaps from a window and runs away from her life. To keep from being discovered, she takes on the male identity of Isser Jacobs -- but it soon becomes clear that there is a real Isser Jacobs, and people want him dead. Her mistaken identity takes Sorel into the dark underworld of her small city in the Pale of Settlement, where smugglers, forgers, and wicked angels fight for control of the Jewish community. In order to make it out, Sorel must discover who Isser Jacobs really is -- and who she wants to be.
Trajectory by
Perfect for fans of Kristin Hannah and Sharon Cameron, this is the stirring and dramatic story of one young woman who must find a way to overcome her deepest fears in order to unlock the secret that will help America and the Allies to victory as World War II rages on. Seventeen-year-old Eleanor is nothing like her hero Eleanor Roosevelt. She is timid and all together uncertain that she has much to offer the world. And as World War II rages overseas, Eleanor is consumed with worry for her Jewish relatives in Europe. When a chance encounter proves her to be a one-in-a-generation math whiz--a fact she has worked hard all her life to hide--Eleanor gets recruited by the US Army and entrusted with the ultimate challenge: to fine-tune a top-secret weapon that will help America defeat its enemies in World War II and secure the world's freedom. This could be her chance to help save her family in Poland. Soon, she's swept from the basement of an Ivy League engineering school, to the desert of California, to an Army Air Corps base at Pearl Harbor, and finally she takes to the skies above the South Pacific. But before she can solve this complicated problem, she must learn to unlock a bigger mystery: herself. Critically acclaimed author of The Poetry of Secrets, Cambria Gordon weaves an extraordinary story of remarkable courage and the will to unearth our deepest secrets, based on previously undiscovered true events. Advance praise for Trajectory: "Cambria Gordon's careful attention to setting and detail brings an unknown and surprising history vividly to life--and draws thought-provoking parallels to the present." --Amanda McCrina, author of Traitor and The Silent Unseen "Hidden Figures meets Code Name Verity in Trajectory, a richly detailed historical novel about Eleanor, a gifted female mathematician under pressure to get the results of her calculations right at the height of World War II. With members of her own Jewish family suffering a terrible fate in Europe, Eleanor is determined to make a difference--even if it means facing her fears head-on. I couldn't put this down!" --Kip Wilson, award-winning author of White Rose and The Most Dazzling Girl in Berlin "Well-paced and immersive, Trajectory takes readers on an exciting journey from Philadelphia to the California desert to the skies over the Pacific theater in the Second World War. Equally powerful is Eleanor's journey from timid high school senior hiding her math ability to problem solver unafraid to stand up to superiors and skeptics in pursuit of the Allies' victory. Gordon's novel honors the long-ignored women who helped make that victory happen." --Lyn Miller-Lachmann, author of Torch, winner of the 2023 Los Angeles Times Book Prize for YA Literature.
The William C. Morris YA Debut Award, first given in 2009, honors a book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature. The award's namesake is William C. Morris, an influential innovator in the publishing world and an advocate for marketing books for children and young adults. Bill Morris left an impressive mark on the field of children’s and young adult literature. He was beloved in the publishing field and the library profession for his generosity and marvelous enthusiasm for promoting literature for children and teens. A complete list of past winners and finalists can be found here.
2025 William C. Morris Debut Award Winner
Not Like Other Girls by 2025 William C. Morris Debut Award Finalists
Aisle Nine by
It's Black Friday--and the apocalypse is on sale! Ever since the world filled with portals to hell and bloodthirsty demons started popping out on the reg, Jasper's life has gotten worse and worse. A teenage nobody with no friends or family, he is plagued by the life he can't remember and the person he's sure he's supposed to be. Jasper spends his days working as a checkout clerk at the Here for You discount mart, where a hell portal in aisle nine means danger every shift. But at least here he can be near the girl he's crushing on--Kyle Kuan, a junior member of the monster-fighting Vanguard--who seems to hate Jasper for reasons he can't remember or understand. But when Jasper and Kyle learn they both share a frightening vision of the impending apocalypse, they're forced to team up and uncover the uncomfortable truth about the hell portals and the demons that haunt the world. Because the true monsters are not always what they seem, the past is not always what we wish, and like it or not, on Black Friday, all hell will break loose, starting in aisle nine. Rising star Ian X. Cho delivers an unforgettably freaky and hilarious YA debut with Aisle Nine, perfect for fans of Grasshopper Jungle or The Last of Us.
Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by