It’s a big day in the world of children’s literature because the American Library Association Youth Media Awards were announced today! The most famous of the awards are the Newbery and Caldecott, but there are many awards and honors.
The Caldecott Medal for illustration went to Watercress, illustrated by Jason Chin and written by Andrea Chang. Watercress also received an Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature and a Newbery Honor.
The Newbery Medal and the Pura Belpre Children’s Author Award went to The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera.*
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper, won both the Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrator Book Awards, and was named a Caldecott and Sibert honor book.
¡Vamos! Let’s cross the bridge by Raúl the Third is the 2022 Pura Belpré Youth Illustration Award winner.
Healer of the Water Monster by Brian Young [Diné] won the American Indian Youth Literature Award for Middle Grade.
How to Find What You’re Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani won the Middle Grade Sydney Taylor Book Award as an outstanding book that authentically portrays the Jewish experience.
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Youth Literature, the Stonewall Book Award, and was named a Printz Honor book.
Firekeeper’s Daughter by Angeline Boulley [Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians] won the Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults, the Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens, and is a young adult honor book for the American Indian Youth Literature Award. Also available as a CD audiobook, eBook, and audiobook (Libby).
The ALA press release lists all of the awards and honors that were named – maybe you’ll find your next favorite book in the list.
*We do not have The Last Cuentista and some of the other award winners yet, but check back soon and we hope to have them!
