Every Child a Reader, the charitable arm of the Children’s Book Council, has revealed the winners of its Kids’ Book Choice Awards, formerly known as the Children’s & Teen Choice Book Awards. Launched in 2008 by the Children’s Book Council and Every Child a Reader, these are the only national book awards selected exclusively by young readers.
In an effort to attract readers of all ages, the program relaunched this year with a new name, logo, and categories with finalists selected through nationwide long-list voting.
Voting for this year’s finalists took place during Fall Children’s Book Week, November 8–14.
The 2021 winners in all 15 categories are:
Best Book of the Year: K–2nd Grade
We Are Water Protectors by Carole Lindstrom, illus. by Michaela Goade (Roaring Brook)
Age 3–8: Best Picture Book Duo
Sarah Janco and Blayne Fox, creators of The Merry Christmas Mittens (Brown Books Kids)
Age 3–8: Best Picture Book Page
How to Spot an Artist by Danielle Krysa, illus. by Danielle Krysa (Prestel Junior)
Age 3–8: Favorite Early Reader Series
Billie B. Brown series by Sally Rippin, illus. by Aki Fukuoka—The Bully Buster (Kane Miller)
Age 3–8: Favorite Illustrated Character
The Princess in Black from The Princess in Black and the Giant Problem by Shannon Hale and Dean Hale, illus. by LeUyen Pham (Candlewick)
Best Book of the Year: 3rd–4th Grade
Ways to Make Sunshine by Renée Watson, illus. by Nina Mata (Bloomsbury)
Best Book of the Year: 5th–6th Grade
Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros (Quill Tree)
Age 8–12: Best Book of Facts
Hop To It: Poems to Get You Moving by Sylvia Vardell and Janet Wong, illus. by Franzi Paetzold (Pomelo)
Age 8–12: Best Graphic Novel
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illus. by Jamieson and Iman Geddy (Dial)
Age 8–12: Favorite Author
Dav Pilkey, author of Cat Kid Comic Club (Scholastic)
Best Book of the Year: Teen
Stamped: Racism, Anti-Racism, and You: A Remix of the National Book Award-Winning ‘Stamped from the Beginning’ by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi (Little, Brown)
Age 12–18: Best Book Creator Digital Presence
Nic Stone, author of Dear Justyce (Crown)—Twitter @getnicced | Instagram @nicstone
Age 12–18: Best Fantasy World Builder
Helena Dahlgren, author of Soul Riders: Jorvik Calling (Andrews McMeel)
Age 12–18: Favorite Book Cover
Legendborn by Tracy Deonn—cover illustration by Hillary Wilson (McElderry)
Age 12–18: Favorite True Story
This Is Your Time by Ruby Bridges (Delacorte)
For more information, including downloadable resources, visit the Every Child a Reader website.
