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
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Picture Book Honors
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner - Middle Grades
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Middle Grades Honor Books
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Winner - Young Adult
2024 American Indian Youth Literature Award Young Adult Honors
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
The 2024 Américas Award Honorable Mention Titles
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
2024 Arab American Book Award for Children & Young Adults Honorable Mentions
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
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Winner for Children's Literature
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Winner for Picture Books
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book for Young Adult Literature
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book for Children's Literature
2025 Asian/Pacific American Award Honor Book for Picture Books
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
2025 YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Finalists
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
2024 Elementary Level Honorees
2024 Middle Level Winner
2024 Secondary Level Winner
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
2025 Charlotte Huck Award Honor Books
2024 Charlotte Huck Award Recommended Books
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
2025 Coretta Scott King Medal Winner - Illustrator
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
2025 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Honor Titles
2025 Jane Addams Children's Book Award Finalists
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
2025 Newbery Award Honor Books
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
2025 Printz Honor Book
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
2024 National Book Award Young People's Literature Finalists
2024 National Book Award Young People's Literature Longlist
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
2025 Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Books
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
2025 Orbis Pictus Award Winner
2025 Orbis Pictus Award Honor Books
2025 Orbis Pictus Award Recommended Books
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
2025 Pura Belpre Award Children's Author Honor Books
2025 Pura Belpre Award Youth Illustrator Winner
2025 Pura Belpre Award Youth Illustrator Honor Book
2025 Pura Belpre Young Adult Author Award Winner
2025 Pura Belpre Young Adult Author Honor Books
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
2025 Caldecott Medal Honor Books
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
2025 Robert F. Sibert Honor Books
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
2025 Schneider Family Book Award Honor Titles
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
2024 Elementary Honorees
2024 Intermediate Winner
2024 Intermediate Honorees
2024 Secondary Winner
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
2025 Sydney Taylor Award Silver Medalists
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
2025 William C. Morris Debut Award Finalists