The American Library Association (ALA) announced the winners of their 2025 Youth Media Awards during the organization’s LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience event, held January 24-27 in Phoenix, AZ. The nonprofit recognizes dozens of children’s literature authors and illustrators each year for their distinguished contributions to the genre through notable awards such as the Caldecott Medal, the Newbery Medal, and the Coretta Scott King Award. Read on for the full list of winners and honorees!
John Newbery Medal: The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly
Honors the author of the most distinguished contribution to American children’s literature.
Newbery Honor Books
- Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar
- Magnolia Wu Unfolds It All by Chanel Miller
- One Big Open Sky by Lesa Cline-Ransome
- The Wrong Way Home by Kate O’Shaughnessy
Randolph Caldecott Medal: Chooch Helped, Illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz, Written by Andrea L. Rogers
Honors the illustrator of the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Caldecott Honor Books
- Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo
- My Daddy Is a Cowboy, Illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, Written by Stephanie Seales
- Noodles on a Bicycle, Illustrated by Gracey Zhang, Written by Kyo Maclear
- Up, Up, Ever Up! Junko Tabei: A Life in the Mountains, Illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, Written by Anita Yasuda
Coretta Scott King Author Book Award: Twenty-four Seconds from Now… by Jason Reynolds
Honors the African American author of the most outstanding book demonstrating an appreciation of African American culture.
King Author Honor Books
- Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson, Illustrated by Ekua Holmes
- Black Star by Kwame Alexander
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Book Award: My Daddy Is a Cowboy, Illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, Written by Stephanie Seales
Honors the African American illustrator of the most outstanding picture book demonstrating an appreciation of African American culture.
King Illustrator Honor Books
- Coretta: The Autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King, Illustrated by Ekua Holmes, Written by Coretta Scott King with the Reverend Dr. Barbara Reynolds
- Everywhere Beauty Is Harlem: The Vision of Photographer Roy DeCarava, Illustrated by E.B. Lewis, Written by Gary Golio
- Go Forth and Tell: The Life of Augusta Baker, Librarian and Master Storyteller, Illustrated by April Harrison, Written by Breanna J. McDaniel
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award: Kwame Crashes the Underworld by Craig Kofi Farmer
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award: Jimmy’s Rhythm & Blues: The Extraordinary Life of James Baldwin, Illustrated by Jamiel Law, Written by Michelle Meadows
Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature: Brownstone by Samuel Teer & Mar Julia
Recognizes a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.
Printz Honor Books
- Bright Red Fruit by Safia Elhillo
- Compound Fracture by Andrew Joseph White
- The Deep Dark by Molly Knox Ostertag
- Road Home by Rex Ogle
Schneider Family Book Award, Younger Children’s: A Little Like Magic by Sarah Kurpiel
Recognizes the picture book that best embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience.
Schneider Family Book Award, Middle Grade: Popcorn by Rob Harrell
Recognizes the middle grade book that best embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience.
Schneider Family Book Award, Young Adult: Chronically Dolores by Maya Van Wagenen
Recognizes the young adult book that best embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience.
Schneider Honor Books
- Monster Hands by Karen Kane and Jonaz McMillan, Illustrated by Dion MBD (Younger Children)
- You’re So Amazing! by James and Lucy Catchpole, Illustrated by Karen George (Younger Children)
- Louder Than Hunger by John Schu (Middle Grade)
- Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston (Middle Grade)
- Light Enough to Float by Lauren Seal (Young Adult)
- On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino (Young Adult)
Alex Awards for the Best Adult Books That Appeal to Teen Audiences
- Beautiful People: My Thirteen Truths About Disability by Melissa Blake
- Big Jim and the White Boy: An American Classic Reimagined by David F. Walker, Illustrated by Marcus Kwame Anderson
- Daughters of Shandong by Eve J. Chung
- Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark
- How to Solve Your Own Murder: A Novel by Kristen Perrin
- I Feel Awful, Thanks by Lara Pickle
- I Was a Teenage Slasher by Stephen Graham Jones
- The Witch of Colchis by Rosie Hewlett
- The Witchstone by Henry H. Neff
- Woman, Life, Freedom by Marjane Satrapi
Children’s Literature Legacy Award: Carole Boston Weatherford
Honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children through books that demonstrate integrity and respect for all children’s lives and experiences.
Margaret A. Edwards Award: Tiffany D. Jackson
Awarded to an author for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults.
Mildred L. Batchelder Award: John the Skeleton by Triinu Laan, Illustrated by Marja-Liisa Plats, Translated by Adam Cullen
Honors an outstanding children’s book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, then subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States.
Batchelder Honor Books
- Home by Isabelle Simler, Translated by Vineet Lal
- Johnny, the Sea, and Me by Melba Escobar, Illustrated by Elizabeth Builes, Translated by Sara Lissa Paulson
- Mr. Lepron’s Mystery Soup by Giovanna Zoboli, Illustrated by Mariachiara Di Giorgio, Translated by Denise Muir
- A Sleepless Night by Micaela Chirif, Illustrated by Joaquín Camp, Translated by Jordan Landsman
Odyssey Award for Children: A Plate of Hope: The Inspiring Story of Chef José Andrés and World Central Kitchen by Erin Frankel, Illustrated by Paola Escobar, Narrated by Luis Carlos de La Lombana
Awarded to the best audiobook produced for children that is available in English in the United States.
Odyssey Award for Young Adults: How the Boogeyman Became a Poet by Tony Keith Jr.
Awarded to the best audiobook produced for young adults that is available in English in the United States.
Odyssey Honor Audiobooks
- Black Girl You Are Atlas by Renée Watson, Illustrated by Ekua Holmes, Narrated by Renée Watson
- Dispatches from Parts Unknown by Bryan Bliss, Narrated by Joy Nash
- Girls Like Her by Melanie Sumrow, Narrated by Melanie Sumrow and January LaVoy
- You Are Brave: A Book About Trying New Things by Margaret O’Hair and Sofia Sanchez, Illustrated by Sofia Cardoso, Narrated by Sofia Sanchez
Pura Belpré Award for Illustration: The Dream Catcher by Marcelo Verdad
Honors the Latinx illustrator of a children’s book that best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latinx cultural experience.
Pura Belpré Award for Author, Children’s: Lola by Karla Arenas Valenti
Honors the Latinx author of a children’s book that best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latinx cultural experience.
Pura Belpré Award for Author, Young Adult: Shut Up, This Is Serious by Carolina Ixta
Honors the Latinx author of a young adult book that best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latinx cultural experience.
Belpré Honor Books
- Abuelo, the Sea, and Me, Illustrated by Tatiana Gardel, Written by Ismée Williams (Picture Book)
- A Maleta Full of Treasures, Illustrated by Juana Medina, Written by Natalia Sylvester (Picture Book)
- Cruzita and the Mariacheros by Ashley Granillo (Middle Grade)
- Ultraviolet by Aida Salazar (Middle Grade)
- Libertad by Bessie Flores Zaldívar (Young Adult)
- Wild Dreamers by Margarita Engle (Young Adult)
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award: Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall by Lynn Brunelle, Illustrated by Jason Chin
Awarded to the most distinguished informational book for children.
Sibert Honor Books
- Call Me Roberto!: Roberto Clemente Goes to Bat for Latinos by Nathalie Alonso, Illustrated by Rudy Gutierrez
- The Enigma Girls: How Ten Teenagers Broke Ciphers, Kept Secrets, and Helped Win World War II by Candace Fleming
- The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival by Estelle Nadel and Sammy Savos with Bethany Strout, Illustrated by Sammy Savos
- Wings of an Eagle: The Gold Medal Dreams of Billy Mills by Billy Mills and Donna Janell Bowman, illustrated by S. D. Nelson
Stonewall–Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s Literature Award: Lunar Boy by Jes and Cin Wibowo
Awarded to an English-language work of exceptional merit for children relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience.
Stonewall Honor Books for Children’s Literature
- Marley’s Pride by Joëlle Retener, illustrated by DeAnn Wiley
- Murray Out of Water by Taylor Tracy
- The Flicker by H.E. Edgmon
- What I Must Tell the World: How Lorraine Hansberry Found Her Voice by Jay Leslie, illustrated by Loveis Wise
Stonewall–Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Young Adult Literature Award: Canto Contigo by Jonny Garza Villa
Awarded to an English-language work of exceptional merit for young adults relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience.
Stonewall Honor Books for Young Adult Literature
- Most Ardently: A Pride and Prejudice Remix by Gabe Cole Novoa
- Navigating with You by Jeremy Whitley, Illustrated by Cassio Ribeiro
- Road Home by Rex Ogle
- Time and Time Again by Chatham Greenfield
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award: Vacation by Ame Dyckman, Illustrated by Mark Teague
Honors the author and illustrator of the most distinguished beginning reader book published in English in the United States.
Geisel Honor Books
- Fox versus Fox by Corey R. Tabor
- Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan
William C. Morris Award: Not Like Other Girls by Meredith Adamo
Awarded for excellence in a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens.
William C. Morris Award Finalists
- Aisle Nine by Ian X. Cho
- Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley
- Shut Up, This Is Serious by Carolina Ixta
- The Wilderness of Girls by Madeline Claire Franklin
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992. Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire by Paula Yoo
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Finalists
- A Greater Goal: The Epic Battle for Equal Pay in Women’s Soccer — and Beyond by Elizabeth Rusch
- Homebody by Theo Parish
- Shackled: A Tale of Wronged Kids, Rogue Judges, and a Town that Looked Away by Candy J. Cooper
- The Unboxing of a Black Girl by Angela Shanté
Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, Picture Book: Aloha Everything by Kaylin Melia George, Illustrated by Mae Waite
Awarded to the picture book that promotes AAPI culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit.
Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, Children’s Book: Continental Drifter by Kathy MacLeod
Awarded to the children’s book that promotes AAPI culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit.
Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, Young Adult Book: Everything We Never Had by Randy Ribay
Awarded to the young adult book that promotes AAPI culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit.
Asian/Pacific American Awards Book Honors
- The Rock in My Throat by Kao Kalia Yang, Illustrated by Jiemei Lin (Picture Book)
- Mabuhay! by Zachary Sterling (Middle Grade)
- Clairboyance by Kristiana Kahakauwila (Middle Grade)
- Lunar New Year Love Story by Gene Luen Yang, Illustrated by LeUyen Pham (Young Adult)
- Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier (Young Adult)
The Sydney Taylor Gold Medal Book Award, Picture Book: An Etrog from Across the Sea by Deborah Bodin Cohen and Kerry Olitzky, Illustrated by Stacey Dressen McQueen
Awarded to the most outstanding picture book for children that authentically portrays the Jewish experience.
The Sydney Taylor Award, Picture Book Silver Medalists
- Amazing Abe: How Abraham Cahan’s Newspaper Gave a Voice to Jewish Immigrants by Norman H. Finkelstein, Illustrated by Vesper Stamper
- Joyful Song: A Naming Story by Lesléa Newman, Illustrated by Susan Gal
- Rising by Sidura Ludwig, Illustrated by Sophia Vincent Guy
- The Tree of Life: How a Holocaust Sapling Inspired the World by Elisa Boxer, illustrated by Alianna Rozentsveig
The Sydney Taylor Gold Medal Book Award, Middle Grade: The Girl Who Sang: A Holocaust Memoir of Hope and Survival by Estelle Nadel and Sammy Savos with Bethany Strout, Illustrated by Sammy Savos
Awarded to the most outstanding middle grade book for children that authentically portrays the Jewish experience.
The Sydney Taylor Award, Middle Grade Book Silver Medalists
- Across So Many Seas by Ruth Behar
- Finn and Ezra’s Bar Mitzvah Time Loop by Joshua S. Levy
- Just Shy of Ordinary by A.J. Sass
The Sydney Taylor Gold Medal Book Award, Young Adult: Night Owls by A.R. Vishny
Awarded to the most outstanding young adult book for children that authentically portrays the Jewish experience.
The Sydney Taylor Award, Young Adult Book Silver Medalists
- The Forbidden Book by Sacha Lamb
- Trajectory by Cambria Gordon
Non-Book Awards
- Coretta Scott King–Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement: Carolyn L. Garnes
- The Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award: Carl the Collector, produced by Fuzzytown Productions and Spiffy Pictures
- Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Honors: Lyla in the Loop produced by Mighty Space Picnic and Pipeline Studios & The Plate Show produced by The WNET Group and PRX
Congratulations to all the winners! To learn more about the American Library Association and the work it does to promote literacy and equal access to information for all, be sure to check out its website.
To see our picks for the best children’s books of the past year, check out our lists of the Ten Best Picture Books of 2024 and the Ten Best Middle Grade Books of 2024.
To see all of our recommendations for young bookworms, check out our Bookshop bookshelf.
