2023 Youth Media Awards
SLJ 2023 Youth Media Awards Coverage
2023 Youth Media Award Winners
Freewater Wins Newbery Medal; Hot Dog Awarded Caldecott; All My Rage Earns Printz at the 2023 Youth Media Awards
SLJ Reviews of the 2023 Youth Media Award Winners
Doug Salati on the Making of Hot Dog, 2023 Caldecott Winner | Youth Media Awards
Amina Luqman-Dawson: Newbery Winner Freewater Is Having Its Moment at Exactly the Right Time | Youth Media Awards
Printz Winner All My Rage Shares Universal Experiences and Message of Hope, Says Author Sabaa Tahir | Youth Media Awards
Overwhelmed Sacha Lamb “Still Processing” Award Recognition for When the Angels Left the Old Country
SLJ Individual Reviews of YMA Winners and Related Content
John Newbery Medal
Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Amina Luqman-Dawson: Newbery Winner Freewater Is Having Its Moment at Exactly the Right Time | Youth Media Awards
Newbery Honors
Iveliz Explains It All by Andrea Beatriz Arango
The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat
We Need Diverse Books Announces 2023 Walter Dean Myers Award Winners
Top 10 Audiobooks of 2022
Ogress vs. Mapmaker: Battle of the Fantasies | Heavy Medal
Review of the Day: The Last Mapmaker by Christina Soontornvat | A Fuse #8 Production
45 Books Drawing on Asian Myth and Folklore
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee
SLJ’s Reviews of the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
Longlist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
Best Middle Grade Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance: A Practice Discussion | Heavy Medal
Randolph Caldecott Medal
Hot Dog by Doug Salati
Doug Salati on the Making of Hot Dog, 2023 Caldecott Winner | Youth Media Awards
Review of the Day: Hot Dog by Doug Salati | A Fuse #8 Production
Caldecott Honors
Ain’t Burned All the Bright, illustrated by Jason Griffin, written by Jason Reynolds
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: Ain't Burned All the Bright By Jason Reynolds
2023 Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Book List
Top 10 Audiobooks of 2022
Best Young Adult Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Star Journey: The Intense Collaboration Behind Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin
Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds, All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir Win 2022 Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards
Book Review: Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds and Jason Griffin | Teen Librarian Toolbox
Berry Song, illustrated and written by Michaela Goade
Picture Books for Older Students | Read Woke
Best Picture Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Michaela Goade on Berry Song and Getting The Caldecott Call for We Are Water Protectors | The Yarn
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: Berry Song by Michaela Goade
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement, illustrated by Janelle Washington, written by Angela Joy
We Need Diverse Books Announces 2023 Walter Dean Myers Award Winners
Review of the Day: Choosing Brave by Angela Joy, illus. by Janelle Washington | A Fuse #8 Production
Knight Owl, illustrated and written by Christopher Denise
Michael L. Printz Award
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir
Printz Winner All My Rage Shares Universal Experiences and Message of Hope, Says Author Sabaa Tahir | Youth Media Awards
12 YA Titles Publishing in 2022 That Feature Asian American Protagonists
Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds, All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir Win 2022 Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards
SLJ’s Reviews of the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
Longlist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
Sabaa Tahir’s All My Rage Wins 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
Best Young Adult Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
History, Horror, and More Top Contenders | Pondering Printz
SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite Best Books Quotes 2022
We Need Diverse Books Announces 2023 Walter Dean Myers Award Winners
Printz Honors
Scout’s Honor by Lily Anderson
Icebreaker by A.L. Graziadei
When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb
Standout Debuts & Titles from Acclaimed Authors | Pondering Printz
History, Horror, and More Top Contenders | Pondering Printz
Teen Girls and Magic in the 1900s, a Guest Post by Sacha Lamb | Teen Librarian Toolbox
Overwhelmed Sacha Lamb “Still Processing” Award Recognition for When the Angels Left the Old Country
Queer Ducks (and Other Animals): The Natural World of Animal Sexuality by Eliot Schrefer
Best Nonfiction 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Books on Film: Eliot Schrefer on The Daily Show | 100 Scope Notes
Coretta Scott King Book Awards
Coretta Scott King Author Award
Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Coretta Scott King Author Honors
Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi
Review of the Day: Star Child: A Biographical Constellation of Octavia Estelle Butler by Ibi Zoboi | A Fuse #8 Production
Relationships. Identity. New Beginnings. What SLJ’s Starred 2022 Books Reveal About Trends in Children’s and YA Publishing
Best Nonfiction 2022 | SLJ Best Books
SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite 2022 Best Books Covers
The Talk by Alicia D. Williams, illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu
Best Picture Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile
Eight Graphic Works that Offer Fresh Perspectives on the Past | Stellar Panels
Book Review: Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, Dawud Anyabwile | Teen Librarian Toolbox
Longlist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
SLJ’s Reviews of the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
A Conversation with Derrick Barnes | The Yarn
Best Graphic Novels 2022 | SLJ Best Books
YALSA Announces Five Finalists for 2023 Award for Excellence in Nonfiction
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
Standing in the Need of Prayer: A Modern Retelling of the Classic Spiritual, illustrated by Frank Morrison, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honors
Me and the Boss: A Story about Mending and Love, illustrated by April Harrison, written by Michelle Edwards
Swim Team, illustrated and written by Johnnie Christmas
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas
Mock Newbery Nomination Surprises: Swim Team and Love in the Library
Longlist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
SLJ’s Reviews of the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
Coming Up for Air: A Johnnie Christmas Interview About the One and Only Swim Team | A Fuse #8 Production
Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile, written by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes
Eight Graphic Works that Offer Fresh Perspectives on the Past | Stellar Panels
Book Review: Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, Dawud Anyabwile | Teen Librarian Toolbox
Longlist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
SLJ’s Reviews of the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
A Conversation with Derrick Barnes | The Yarn
Best Graphic Novels 2022 | SLJ Best Books
YALSA Announces Five Finalists for 2023 Award for Excellence in Nonfiction
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award
We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds
Best Young Adult Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement, illustrated by Janelle Washington, written by Angela Joy
We Need Diverse Books Announces 2023 Walter Dean Myers Award Winners
Review of the Day: Choosing Brave by Angela Joy, illus. by Janelle Washington | A Fuse #8 Production
Pura Belpré Awards
Youth Illustration
Where Wonder Grows, illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia, written by Xelena González
Honor Books
The Coquíes Still Sing, illustrated by Krystal Quiles, written by Karina Nicole González
Resilience and Hope: 6 Titles to Commemorate the 5-Year Anniversary of Hurricane María
A Land of Books: Dreams of Young Mexihcah Word Painters, illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh
Magic: Once Upon a Faraway Land, illustrated and written by Mirelle Ortega
Phenomenal AOC: The Roots and Rise of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, illustrated by Loris Lora, written by Anika Aldamuy Denise
Srta. Quinces, illustrated and written by Kat Fajardo
Children's Author
Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega
26 Chapter Books, Middle Grade, and Graphic Novels for Latinx Heritage Month and Beyond
Best Graphic Novels 2022 | SLJ Best Books
SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite Books Read in 2022
Review of the Day: Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega, ill. Rose Bousamra | A Fuse #8 Production
Honor Books
The Coquíes Still Sing by Karina Nicole González, illustrated by Krystal Quiles
Resilience and Hope: 6 Titles to Commemorate the 5-Year Anniversary of Hurricane María
The Notebook Keeper: A Story of Kindness from the Border by Stephen Briseño, illustrated by Magdalena Mora
Tumble by Celia C. Pérez
2 Middle Grade Novels About Becoming Big Sisters
Young Adult Author
Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado
Honor Books
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester
High Spirits by Camille Gomera-Tavarez
26 Titles to Read This Caribbean American Heritage Month and Beyond
The Lesbiana’s Guide to Catholic School by Sonora Reyes
We Need Diverse Books Announces 2023 Walter Dean Myers Award Winners
Schneider Family Book Awards
Young Children (ages 0 to 8)
Listen: How Evelyn Glennie, a Deaf Girl, Changed Percussion by Shannon Stocker, illustrated by Devon Holzwarth
Honor Book
In the Blue by Erin Hourigan
Middle grade (9-13)
Wildoak by C.C. Harrington
Honor Books
Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd
Honestly Elliott by Gillian McDunn
12 Books for Kids and Tweens That Celebrate Neurodiverse Minds
Teen (14-18)
The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart
Honor Book
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
Seen and Unseen: What Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams’s Photographs Reveal About the Japanese American Incarceration by Elizabeth Partridge, illus. by Lauren Tamaki
Best Nonfiction 2022 | SLJ Best Books
SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite 2022 Best Books Covers
Review of the Day: Seen and Unseen by Elizabeth Partridge, ill. Lauren Tamaki | A Fuse #8 Production
Honor Books
Choosing Brave: How Mamie Till-Mobley and Emmett Till Sparked the Civil Rights Movement by Angela Joy, illus. by Janelle Washington
We Need Diverse Books Announces 2023 Walter Dean Myers Award Winners
Review of the Day: Choosing Brave by Angela Joy, illus. by Janelle Washington | A Fuse #8 Production
A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis
Sweet Justice: Georgia Gilmore and the Montgomery Bus Boycott by Mara Rockliff, illus. by R. Gregory Christie
The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs by Chana Stiefel, illus. by Susan Gal
Two Titles Share Inaugural Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World
Best Nonfiction 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Remember: 10 Titles to Read for Holocaust Remembrance Day
Mildred L. Batchelder Award
Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II by Lia Levi, illustrated by Jess Mason, translated by Sylvia Notini
Remember: 10 Titles to Read for Holocaust Remembrance Day
2 World War II Memoirs for Middle Grade & YA Readers
Honor Books
Different: A Story of the Spanish Civil War by Mónica Montañés, illustrated by Eva Sánchez Gómez and translated by Lawrence Schimel
Dragonfly Eyes by Cao Wenxuan and translated by Helen Wang
João by a Thread written and illustrated by Roger Mello and translated by Daniel Hahn.
Odyssey Award
Children
Stuntboy, in the Meantime produced by Taryn Beato. The book is written by Jason Reynolds and narrated by Guy Lockard, Nile Bullock and Angel Pean with a full cast
10 Middle Grade Novels That Address Mental Health with Compassion
Young Adults
The Honeys produced by Melissa Ellard. The book is by Ryan La Sala and narrated by Pete Cross
Best Young Adult Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Honor Books
The Three Billy Goats Gruff produced by Melissa Ellard and Paul Gagne, retold and narrated by Mac Barnett
Giving Me Gruff: A Jon Klassen/Mac Barnett Interview About Their Latest Goat-Related Venture | A Fuse #8 Production
Demon in the Wood Graphic Novel produced by Steve Wagner and Michelle Altman, adaptation by Garet Scott and narrated by Ben Barnes and a full cast
Inheritance: A Visual Poem produced by Caitlin Garing, written and narrated by Elizabeth Acevedo
26 Titles to Read This Caribbean American Heritage Month and Beyond
Best Poetry 2022 | SLJ Best Books
SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite Best Books Quotes 2022
The First Helping (Lunch Lady Books 1 & 2) produced by Jarrett J. Krosoczka and Lauren Klein, written Jarrett J. Krosoczka and narrated by Kate Flannery, the author and a full cast.
Stonewall Book Award
Children
Love, Violet by Charlotte Sullivan Wild
18 Titles to Celebrate Valentine’s Day, Holi, St. Patrick’s Day, and More | Spring Holiday Roundup
Honor Books
In the Key of Us by Mariama J. Lockington
Kapaemahu by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson, illus. by Daniel Sousa
45 Books Drawing on Asian Myth and Folklore
APA Creators Draw on Myth and Folklore to Craft Personal, yet Universal Stories
22 Audiobooks Inspired by Fairy Tales and Mythology
Best Picture Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Top 10 Audiobooks of 2022
The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliott
Strong by Rob Kearney & Eric Rosswood, illus. by Nidhi Chanani
Picture Books for Older Students | Read Woke
Young Adult
When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb
Standout Debuts & Titles from Acclaimed Authors | Pondering Printz
History, Horror, and More Top Contenders | Pondering Printz
Teen Girls and Magic in the 1900s, a guest post by Sacha Lamb | Teen Librarian Toolbox
Overwhelmed Sacha Lamb “Still Processing” Award Recognition for When the Angels Left the Old Country
Honor Books
I Kissed Shara Wheeler by Casey McQuiston
Kings of B’more by R. Eric Thomas
Reading on People and Topics Outside Traditional Gender Boundaries | Read Woke
Man o’ War by Cory McCarthy
The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson
20 Audiobooks Featuring Multiracial Characters for Elementary, Middle Grade, and YA Listeners
Debut Authors Counter Harmful Narratives with Kid Lit | A Guest Essay by Susan Azim Boyer
Best Young Adult Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
I Did It! by Michael Emberley
Honor Books
Fish and Wave by Sergio Ruzzier
Gigi and Ojiji by Melissa Iwai
9 Books for Young Readers That Celebrate Grandparents
Owl and Penguin by Vikram Madan
A Seed Grows by Antoinette Portis
William C. Morris Award
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum
History, Horror, and More Top Contenders | Pondering Printz
Longlist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
SLJ’s Reviews of the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Longlisters
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile
Eight Graphic Works that Offer Fresh Perspectives on the Past | Stellar Panels
Book Review: Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith, Derrick Barnes, Dawud Anyabwile | Teen Librarian Toolbox
Longlist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
SLJ’s Reviews of the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
A Conversation with Derrick Barnes | The Yarn
Best Graphic Novels 2022 | SLJ Best Books
YALSA Announces Five Finalists for 2023 Award for Excellence in Nonfiction
The Sydney Taylor Book Award
Picture Book
Gold medalist
The Tower of Life: How Yaffa Eliach Rebuilt Her Town in Stories and Photographs by Chana Stiefel, illus. by Susan Gal
Two Titles Share Inaugural Russell Freedman Award for Nonfiction for a Better World
Best Nonfiction 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Remember: 10 Titles to Read for Holocaust Remembrance Day
Silver medalists/Honors Books
Big Dreams, Small Fish by Paula Cohen
The Very Best Sukkah: A Story from Uganda by Shoshana Nambi, illus. by Moran Yogev
Sitting Shiva by Erin Silver, illus. by Michelle Theodore
Middle Grade
Gold Medalist
Aviva vs. the Dybbuk by Mari Lowe
Review of the Day: Aviva vs. the Dybbuk by Mari Lowe | A Fuse #8 Production
29 Books that Celebrate All Aspects of Jewish Life | Jewish American Heritage Month
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: Aviva vs. the Dybbuk by Mari Lowe
Silver medalists/Honor Books
Honey and Me by Meira Drazin
Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack
Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: Black Bird, Blue Road by Sofiya Pasternack
History, Horror, and More Top Contenders | Pondering Printz
Ellen Outside the Lines by A. J. Sass
12 Books for Kids and Tweens That Celebrate Neurodiverse Minds
Best Middle Grade Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Young Adult
When the Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb
Standout Debuts & Titles from Acclaimed Authors | Pondering Printz
History, Horror, and More Top Contenders | Pondering Printz
Teen Girls and Magic in the 1900s, a guest post by Sacha Lamb | Teen Librarian Toolbox
Overwhelmed Sacha Lamb “Still Processing” Award Recognition for When the Angels Left the Old Country
Silver medalists/Honor books
My Fine Fellow: A Delicious Entanglement by Jennieke Cohen
Some Kind of Hate by Sarah Darer Littman
Eight Nights of Flirting by Hannah Reynolds
6 Hanukkah Books for Young Readers
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
Picture Book
From the Tops of the Trees by Kao Kalia Yang, illus. by Rachel Wada
2022 Irma Black Award and Cook Prize Winners Announced
Honor Book
Nana, Nenek & Nina by Liza Ferneyhough
Children's Literature
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance by Lisa Yee
SLJ’s Reviews of the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
Longlist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
Best Middle Grade Books 2022 | SLJ Best Books
Maizy Chen’s Last Chance: A Practice Discussion | Heavy Medal
Honor Book
Troublemaker by John Cho
John Cho Talks Trouble in Timely Middle Grade Debut
Youth Literature
Himawari House by Harmony Becker
Himawari House Wins 2022 Kirkus Prize for Young Readers’ Literature
First Second ‘Star’ Editor Kiara Valdez Strikes Comics Gold with Webcomics Format
A Graphic Novel, Fantasy Debut, and More | Pondering Printz
Best Graphic Novels 2021 | SLJ Best Books
Q&A: Harmony Becker, Creator of Himawari House
Honor Book
The Silence that Binds Us by Joanna Ho
Alex Awards
A Lady's Guide to Fortune-Hunting by Sophie Irwin
Babel by R.F. Kuang
Chef's Kiss by Jarrett Melendez
Daughter of the Moon Goddess by Sue Lynn Tan
I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
Solito: A Memoir by Javier Zamora
The High Desert: Black. Punk. Nowhere. by James Spooner
The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
True Biz by Sara Nović
Deaf Authors Talk About Imagination and Creativity
Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser
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