Dave Eggers has won the 2024 John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature, for his novel The Eyes and the Impossible (McSweeney’s/Knopf), illustrated by Shawn Harris, edited by Taylor Norman and Melanie Nolan. Vashti Harrison has won the 2024 Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished picture book for children, for Big (Little, Brown), edited by Farrin Jacobs. And The Collectors: Stories, compiled by A.S. King (Dutton), edited by Andrew Karre, has won the 2024 Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in literature written for young adults. The Youth Media Awards were announced Monday morning, January 22, during the American Library Association’s LibLearnX conference in Baltimore.
Eggers is a Pulitzer Prize finalist, founder of McSweeney’s, co-founder of 826 Valencia, and author of 14 books for young readers. In The Eyes and the Impossible, a dog unwittingly becomes a hero to other animals in a story about friendship and liberation. Harrison is the first Black woman to win the Caldecott Award; in Big, a child embarks on a journey toward self-love after her peers call her “big.” And The Collectors gathers nine short stories by prominent young adult writers about remarkable people and their strange and surprising collections.
Five Newbery Honor Books were named: Eagle Drums, written and illustrated by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson (Roaring Brook): Elf Dog and Owl Head by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Junyi Wu (Candlewick); Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir, written and illustrated by Pedro Martín (Dial); Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow (Disney-Hyperion); and The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Daniel Miyares (Levine Querido).
There were four Caldecott Honor Books: In Every Life, illustrated and written by Marla Frazee (Simon & Schuster/Beach Lane); Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter, illustrated by Molly Mendoza, written by Aida Salazar (Scholastic Press); There Was a Party for Langston, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds (Atheneum/Dlouhy); and The Truth About Dragons, illustrated by Hanna Cha, written by Julie Leung (Henry Holt).
Four Printz Honor Books also were named: Fire from the Sky, written by Moa Backe Åstot, translated from the Swedish by Eva Apelqvist (Em Querido); Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow (Candlewick); The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption by Shannon Gibney (Dutton); and Salt the Water by Candice Iloh (Dutton).
The Printz winner, The Collectors, contains stories written by M.T. Anderson, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, A.S. King, David Levithan, Cory McCarthy, Anna-Marie McLemore, G. Neri, Jason Reynolds, Randy Ribay and Jenny Torres Sanchez. The book’s editor, Andrew Karre, also edited two of the Honor books: The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be and Salt the Water.
The Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults went to Neal Shusterman, whose books include T=the Arc of the Scythe trilogy, Bruiser, Challenger Deep, Everlost, Full Tilt, The Schwa Was Here, and Unwind, among other titles.
The Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement went to Christopher Paul Curtis, in recognition of his historical fiction.
The Children’s Literature Legacy Award, which honors an author or illustrator whose books have made a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children, was given to Pam Muñoz Ryan. Her award-winning works include Esperanza Rising, The Dreamer, Echo, When Marian Sang: The True Recital of Marian Anderson, among others.
Author Kyle Lukoff will deliver the 2025 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture, given each year by an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children’s literature.
The Mildred L. Batchelder Award for best work of translation went to Houses with a Story: A Dragon’s Den, a Ghostly Mansion, a Library of Lost Books, and 30 More Amazing Places to Explore, written and illustrated by Seiji Yoshida, translated from the Japanese by Jan Mitsuko Cash (Amulet).
Three Batchelder Honor Books were selected: The House of the Lost on the Cape, written by Sachiko Kashiwaba, illustrated by Yukiko Saito, translated from the Japanese by Avery Fischer Udagawa (Restless/Yonder); Later, When I’m Big, written by Bette Westera, illustrated by Mattias De Leeuw, translated from the Dutch by Laura Watkinson (Eerdmans); and Pardalita, written and illustrated by Joana Estrela, translated from the Portuguese by Lyn Miller-Lachmann (Levine Querido).
The Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Awards went to illustrator Briana Mukodiri Uchendu for We Could Fly, written by Rhiannon Giddens (Candlewick); and author Jade Adia for There Goes the Neighborhood (Disney-Hyperion).
The Coretta Scott King Book Awards spotlight an African American author and illustrator for outstanding works for children and young adults. The Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award was given to Dare Coulter for An American Story, written by Kwame Alexander (Little, Brown). The Coretta Scott King Author Award went to Ibi Zoboi for Nigeria Jones (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray).
There were three King Author Honor Books: Big, written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown); How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison (Candlewick); and Kin: Rooted in Hope, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford (Atheneum).
Three King Illustrator Honors were awarded: Big, illustrated and written by Vashti Harrison (Little, Brown); Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes, illustrated by Shannon Wright, written by Traci N. Todd (Orchard); and There Was a Party for Langston, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarret Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds (S&S/Atheneum/Dlouhy).
The Robert F. Sibert Award for the most distinguished informational book for children went to The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity, written by Nicholas Day, illustrated by Brett Helquist (Random House Studio). Four Sibert Honor Books were named: The Book of Turtles, written by Sy Montgomery, illustrated by Matt Patterson (Clarion); Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes, written by Traci N. Todd, illustrated by Shannon Wright (Orchard); Jumper: A Day in the Life of the Backyard Jumping Spider, written and illustrated by Jessica Lanan (Roaring Brook); and Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor, written by Martin W. Sandler (Astra).
The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults went to Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed, written by Dashka Slater (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). Four finalists had been previously announced: America Redux: Visual Stories from Our Dynamic History, written and illustrated by Ariel Aberg-Riger (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray); Family Style: Memories of an American from Vietnam, written and illustrated by Thien Pham (First Second); From Here, written by Luma Mufleh (Penguin/Paulsen); and Nearer My Freedom: The Interesting Life of Olaudah Equiano by Himself, written by Monica Edinger and Lesley Younge (Lerner/Zest).
The Pura Belpré Awards, honoring a Latinx writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience, went to Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín (Dial), for the Youth Illustration Award.
Three Belpré Youth Illustration Honor Books were named: Mi papá es un agrícola/My Father, the Farmworker, illustrated by José B. Ramírez, written by J. Roman Pérez Varela, (Lil’ Libros); Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz, written by Jesús Trejo (Astra/Minerva); and Remembering, illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia, written by Xelena González (S&S).
Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir by Pedro Martín (Dial) won the 2024 Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award. Five Belpré Children’s Author Honor Books were named: Alebrijes, written by Donna Barba Higuera (Levine Querido); Aniana del Mar Jumps In, written by Jasminne Mendez (Dial); Benita y las Criaturas Nocturnas, written by Mariana Llanos, illustrated by Cocoretto (Barefoot); Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock, written by Jesús Trejo, illustrated by Eliza Kinkz (Astra/Minerva); and Something Like Home, written by Andrea Beatriz Arango (Random House).
Saints of the Household by Ari Tison (Farrar, Straus and Giroux) won the 2024 Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award. Two Belpré Young Adult Author Honor Book were named: The Prince and the Coyote, written by David Bowles, illustrated by Amanda Mijangos (Levine Querido/Levine); and Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey, written and illustrated by Edel Rodriguez (Holt/Metropolitan).
The William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens went to Rez Ball by Byron Graves (Heartdrum). Four finalists had been previously announced: All the Fighting Parts by Hannah V. Sawyerr (Amulet); Once There Was by Kiyash Monsef (S&S); Saints of the Household by Ari Tison (Farrar, Straus and Giroux); and She Is a Haunting by Trang Thanh Tran (Bloomsbury).
The winner of the Stonewall–Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award is Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes, translated from the Norwegian by Matt Bagguley (Astra/Hippo Park).
The Stonewall Honor Books for children’s literature are Desert Queen, written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli (Levine Querido); Not He or She, I’m Me written by A.M. Wild, illustrated by Kah Yangni (Holt); The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans (Bloomsbury); and Stars in Their Eyes, written by Jessica Walton, illustrated by Aśka (Graphix).
The Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Young Adult Literature Award went to Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray). Four Honor Books were selected: Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa (Wednesday); Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray); The Long Run by James Acker (Inkyard); and The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White (Peachtree Teen).
The recipient of the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray). Two Geisel Honor Books were named: Henry, Like Always written by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song (Chronicle); and Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends, written and illustrated by Kaz Windness (Simon Spotlight).
The Schneider Family Book Award for Best Young Children’s Book went to Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song (Chronicle). The two honor books selected for young children were Dancing Hands, written by Joanna Que and Charina Marquez, illustrated by Fran Alvarez (Chronicle); and What Happened to You?, written by James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George (Little, Brown).
In the middle grade category, the Schneider Family Book Award went to The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla (Quill Tree). Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt (Scholastic Press) and Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow (Disney-Hyperion) were the two Schneider Family Book Award middle grade honor books.
The Schneider Family Book Award for Teen went to Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington (Farrar, Straus and Giroux). The two honor books in the teen category are Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest (Scholastic Press), and Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings (Wednesday).
Two New Years by Richard Ho, illus. by Lynn Scurfield (Chronicle) won the Sydney Taylor Picture Book Award. The picture book honors are Afikomen, written by Tziporah Cohen, illustrated by Yaara Eshet (Groundwood); Hanukkah Upside Down, written by Elissa Brent Weissman, illustrated by Omer Hoffmann (Abrams); and Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaust, written by Elisa Boxer, illustrated by Amy June Bates (Abrams).
The Sydney Taylor Award for Middle Grade went to The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lowe (Levine Querido/Levine). Four honor books were selected: Don’t Want to Be Your Monster by Deke Moulton (Tundra); The Jake Show by Joshua S. Levy (HarperCollins/Tegen); Not So Shy by Noa Nimrodi (Kar-Ben); and A Sky Full of Song by Susan Lynn Meyer (Union Square Kids).
The Sydney Taylor Award for Young Adult went to The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold (HarperCollins/Balzer + Bray). The honor books in this category are Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust by Neal Shusterman, illustrated by Andrés Vera Martínez (Graphix), Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler (Wednesday); Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe by Steve Sheinkin (Roaring Brook); and Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros (Inkyard)).
The Asian/Pacific American Award for Picture Book went to The Truth About Dragons by Julie Leung, illustrated by Hanna Cha (Henry Holt). The honor title in this category is Finding Papa, written by Angela Pham Krans, illustrated by Thi Bui (HarperCollins).
The Asian/Pacific American Award for Middle Grade was given to Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li (Quill Tree). The honor title is Parachute Kids: A Graphic Novel, written and illustrated by Betty C. Tang (Graphix).
The winner of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Young Adult Literature is I’d Rather Burn Than Bloom by Shannon C.F. Rogers (Feiwel and Friends), and the honor title is Limbo by Deb JJ Lee (First Second).
The Odyssey Award for best audiobook production for children and young adults went to El Deafo, produced by Matie Argiropoulos (Listening Library), written by Cece Bell and narrated by a full cast. In the young adult category, the Odyssey Award went to Promise Boys, produced by Macmillan Young Listeners, a Macmillan Audio production from Henry Holt & Company, written by Nick Brooks and narrated by a full cast.
The American Indian Youth Literature Award for Picture Book went to A Letter for Bob, written by Kim Rogers (Wichita & Affiliated Tribes), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Navajo/Diné) (HarperCollins/Heartdrum); and Forever Cousins, written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Navajo/Diné) (Charlesbridge).
Picture book honors went to Celebration, written by Lily Hope (Tlingit), illustrated by Kelsey Mata Foote (Tlingit) (Sealaska Heritage Institute); Contenders, written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo Tribe) (Kokila); Berry Song, written and illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation) (Little, Brown); Remember, written by Joy Harjo (Mvskoke Nation), illustrated by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation) (Random House Studio); and Rock Your Mocs, written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation) (HarperCollins/Heartdrum).
We Still Belong by Christine Day (Upper Skagit) (HarperCollins/Heartdrum) won the American Indian Youth Award for Middle Grade Books.
The middle grade honor books are Eagle Drums, written and illustrated by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson (Iñupiaq) (Roaring Brook); Mascot by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation) and Charles Waters (Charlesbridge); Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants, written by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), illustrated by Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey) (HarperCollins/Heartdrum); Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day, written by by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), illustrated by Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey) (HarperCollins/ Heartdrum); She Persisted: Maria Tallchief, written by Christine Day (Upper Skagit), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Philomel); She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller, written by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Philomel); and She Persisted: Deb Haaland, written by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (Philomel).
The American Indian Youth Award for Best YA went to Rez Ball by Byron Graves (Ojibwe) (HarperCollins/ Heartdrum).
The YA honor selections are Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians) (Holt); Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline (Métis) (Tundra); Man Made Monsters, written by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Jeff Edwards (Cherokee Nation) (Levine Querido); Running with Changing Woman by Lorinda Martinez (Diné) (Salina Bookshelf); and Heroes of the Water Monster by Brian Young (Navajo Nation) (HarperCollins/ Heartdrum).
