2024 Youth Media Awards

SLJ 2024 Youth Media Awards Coverage

2024 Youth Media Award Winners
The Eyes and the Impossible Wins the Newbery, Big Earns Caldecott, and The Collectors: Stories Takes the Printz Award at 2024 Youth Media Awards 
A Big Moment for the Caldecott: Vashti Harrison is First Black Woman to Win Medal
Dave Eggers “Veering Between Catatonic and Hyper” After Newbery Win
The Collectors: Stories is First Anthology To Win the Printz Award

SLJ Reviews of the 2024 Caldecott Medal Winner & Honor Books | Youth Media Awards
SLJ Reviews of the 2024 Newbery Medal Winner & Honor Books | Youth Media Awards
SLJ Reviews of the 2024 Printz Award Winner & Honor Books | Youth Media Awards

5 Questions with 2015 Caldecott Winner Dan Santat
5 Questions with 2022 Caldecott Winner Jason Chin
5 Questions with 2021 Newbery Winner Tae Keller
5 Questions with 2014 Caldecott Winner Brian Floca
5 Questions with 2006 Printz Winner John Green
5 Questions with 2020 Newbery Winner Jerry Craft

SLJ Individual Reviews of YMA Winners and Related Content
 

John Newbery Medal

The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers, illus. by Shawn Harris

     Dave Eggers “Veering Between Catatonic and Hyper” After Newbery Win
     The 2024 Newbery Medal Goes to…THE EYES AND THE IMPOSSIBLE | Heavy Medal
     Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE EYES AND THE IMPOSSIBLE by Dave Eggers
     Review of the Day: The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers, ill. Shawn Harris | A Fuse #8 Production

     Newbery Honors

     Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson
          “The best part of Humanity is the fluidity of it all.” An Eagle Drums Interview with Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson | A Fuse #8 Production
     Elf Dog and Owl Head by M.T Anderson, illus. by Junyi Wu 
     Mexikid by Pedro Martín 
          Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: MEXIKID by Pedro Martin | Heavy Medal
          How MEXIKID Was Made, with Pedro Martín | 100 Scope Notes
          Behind-the-Scenes with Mexikid | The Yarn
          Best Graphic Novels 2023 | SLJ Best Books
          Review of the Day: Mexikid by Pedro Martín | A Fuse #8 Production
      Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
           Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: SIMON SORT OF SAYS by Erin Bow | Heavy Medal
           Telling It Like It Isn’t: 13 Books Featuring Unreliable Narrators | Great Books
           Best Middle Grade Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
           Newbery Possibilities on the National Book Award Longlist | Heavy Medal
           Announced: 10 Contenders for the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
           SLJ’s Reviews of the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
           Review of the Day: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow | A Fuse #8 Production
    The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, illus. by Daniel Miyares 

Randolph Caldecott Medal

 Big by Vashti Harrison
       A Big Moment for the Caldecott: Vashti Harrison is First Black Woman to Win Medal
       Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
       Finalists for the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
       SLJ’s Reviews of the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
       Review of the Day: Big by Vashti Harrison | A Fuse #8 Production

           Caldecott Honors
           In Every Life by Marla Frazee
           Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter illus. by Molly Mendoza, written by Aida Salazar
                 Best Nonfiction Elementary 2023 | SLJ Best Books
                 30 Picture Books to Celebrate the Diversity of Latinx Heritage
                 Exploring SLJ’s 2023 Starred Books | The 2023 Stars Issue
           There Was a Party For Langston illus. by Jerome Pumphrey & Jarrett Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds
                 SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite 2023 Best Books Covers
                 Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
                 Review of the Day: There Was a Party for Langston: King o' Letters by Jason Reynolds, ill. Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey

           The Truth About Dragons illus. by Hanna Cha, written by Julie Leung
                 Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
                 

Michael L. Printz Award

The Collectors: Stories ed. by A.S. King
    The Collectors: Stories is First Anthology To Win the Printz Award

     Printz Honors
     Fire from the Sky by Moa Backe Åstot. tr. from Swedish by Eva Apelqvist
     Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow
           Book Review: Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow | Teen Librarian Toolbox
           Finalists for the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
           SLJ’s Reviews of the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
     The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption by Shannon Gibney
     Salt the Water by Candice Iloh
     

Coretta Scott King Book Awards
 

Coretta Scott King Author Award
Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi

        Coretta Scott King Author Honors
        Big by Vashti Harrison
              A Big Moment for the Caldecott: Vashti Harrison is First Black Woman to Win Medal
              Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
              Finalists for the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
              SLJ’s Reviews of the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
              Review of the Day: Big by Vashti Harrison | A Fuse #8 Production
        How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee by Carole Boston Weatherford, illus. by Frank Morrison
               Best Nonfiction Elementary 2023 | SLJ Best Books
        Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford, illus. by Jeffery Boston Weatherford
                Book Review: Kin: Rooted in Hope by Carole Boston Weatherford, Jeffery Boston Weatherford (Illustrator) | Teen Librarian Toolbox
                Restoring What Slavery Took Away: Ten Take-aways from Kin: Rooted in Hope, a guest post by Carole Boston Weatherford | Teen Librarian Toolbox
                       

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
An American Story illus. by Dare Coulter, written by Kwame Alexander
         Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: An American Story by Kwame Alexander | Heavy Medal
         These 18 Audiobooks in Verse Bring Poetry to Life for Tweens and Teens 
         15 Nonfiction and Fiction Titles for Young Readers About Slavery in the United States
         Review of the Day: An American Story by Kwame Alexander, illus. by Dare Coulter | A Fuse #8 Production

     Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honors
     Big by Vashti Harrison
             A Big Moment for the Caldecott: Vashti Harrison is First Black Woman to Win Medal
             Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
             Finalists for the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Announced
             SLJ’s Reviews of the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
             Review of the Day: Big by Vashti Harrison | A Fuse #8 Production
     Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes illus. by Shannon Wright, written by Traci N Todd
             9 Picture Book Biographies for American Artist Appreciation Month
             14 Women Writers Every Aspiring Author Should Know
      There Was a Party for Langston illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarret Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds
             SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite 2023 Best Books Covers
             Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
             Review of the Day: There Was a Party for Langston: King o' Letters by Jason Reynolds, ill. Jerome and Jarrett Pumphrey

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award
There Goes the Neighborhood by Jade Adia

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award
We Could Fly illustrated by Briana Mukodiri Uchendu, written by Rhiannon Giddens 

Pura Belpré Awards

Youth Illustration
Mexikid by Pedro Martín 
          Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: Mexikid by Pedro Martin | Heavy Medal
          How Mexikid Was Made, with Pedro Martín | 100 Scope Notes
          Behind-the-Scenes with Mexikid | The Yarn
          Best Graphic Novels 2023 | SLJ Best Books
          Review of the Day: Mexikid by Pedro Martín | A Fuse #8 Production

     Honor Books
     Mi papá es un agrícola/My Father, the Farmworker illustrated by José B. Ramírez, written by J. Roman Pérez Varela
     Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock illustrated by Eliza Kinkz, and written by Jesús Trejo
           30 Picture Books to Celebrate the Diversity of Latinx Heritage
           Review of the Day: Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo, ill. Eliza Kinkz
     Remembering illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia, written by Xelena González
            Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
            30 Picture Books to Celebrate the Diversity of Latinx Heritage

Children's Author
Mexikid by Pedro Martín 
          Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: Mexikid by Pedro Martin | Heavy Medal
          How Mexikid Was Made, with Pedro Martín | 100 Scope Notes
          Behind-the-Scenes with Mexikid | The Yarn
          Best Graphic Novels 2023 | SLJ Best Books
          Review of the Day: Mexikid by Pedro Martín | A Fuse #8 Production

     Honor Books
     Alebrijes by Donna Barba Higuera
     Aniana del Mar Jumps In by Jasminne Mendez
            SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite Quotes from 2023 Best Books
            Best Middle Grade Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
            Disability-Centered Reading from SLJ | Disability Pride Month
            Exploring SLJ’s 2023 Starred Books | The 2023 Stars Issue
            16 Middle Grade and YA Books Featuring Non-Apparent Disabilities for Disability Pride Month
            These 18 Audiobooks in Verse Bring Poetry to Life for Tweens and Teens
     Benita y las Criaturas Nocturnas by Mariana Llanos, illus. by Cocoretto
     Papá's Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo, illus. by Eliza Kinkz
           30 Picture Books to Celebrate the Diversity of Latinx Heritage
           Review of the Day: Papá’s Magical Water-Jug Clock by Jesús Trejo, ill. Eliza Kinkz
     Something Like Home by Andrea Beatriz Arango

Young Adult Author
Saints of the Household by Ari Tison

     Honor Books
     The Prince and the Coyote by David Bowles, illus. by Amanda Mijangos
     Worm: A Cuban American Odyssey by Edel Rodriguez

Schneider Family Book Awards

Young Children (ages 0 to 8)
Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song
     Best Transitional Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books

     Honor Book
     Dancing Hands by Joanna Que and Charina Marquez, illus. by Fran Alvarez
           8 New Picture Books With Disability Representation
     What Happened to You? by James Catchpole, illus. by Karen George
           8 New Picture Books With Disability Representation
           Picture Book Creators Center Joy While Portraying Disability

Middle grade (9-13)
The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn by Sally J. Pla

     Honor Books
     Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt
     Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow
           Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow | Heavy Medal
           Telling It Like It Isn’t: 13 Books Featuring Unreliable Narrators | Great Books
           Best Middle Grade Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
           Newbery Possibilities on the National Book Award Longlist | Heavy Medal
           Announced: 10 Contenders for the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
           SLJ’s Reviews of the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
           Review of the Day: Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow | A Fuse #8 Production

Teen (14-18)
Forever Is Now by Mariama J. Lockington

      Honor Book
      Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest
            Best Young Adult Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
      Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings
            Best Young Adult Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award

The Mona Lisa Vanishes: A Legendary Painter, a Shocking Heist, and the Birth of a Global Celebrity by Nicholas Day, illus. by Brett Helquist
    Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2023 | SLJ Best Books

     Honor Books
     The Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery, illus. by Matt Patterson
     Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes by Traci N Todd, illus. by Shannon Wright, 
             9 Picture Book Biographies for American Artist Appreciation Month
             14 Women Writers Every Aspiring Author Should Know   
     Jumper: A Day in the Life of the Backyard Jumping Spider by Jessica Lanan
     Shipwrecked!: Diving for Hidden Time Capsules on the Ocean Floor by Martin W. Sandler 
             Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2023 | SLJ Best Books

Mildred L. Batchelder Award

Houses with a Story: A Dragon’s Den, a Ghostly Mansion, a Library of Lost Books, and 30 More Amazing Places to Explore by Seiji Yoshida, illus. by Seiji Yoshida, trans. by Jan Mitsuko Cash

     Honor Books
     The House of the Lost on the Cape by Sachiko Kashiwaba, illus. by Yukiko Saito, trans. by Avery Fischer Udagawa
     Later, When I’m Big by Bette Westera, illus. by Mattias De Leeuw, trans. by Laura Watkinson
     Pardalita by Joana Estrela, trans. by Lyn Miller-Lachmann
           Best Graphic Novels 2023 | SLJ Best Books
           19 Amazing Audiobooks Adapted from Graphic Novels | Multimedia Audio Reviews

Stonewall Book Award

Children
Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes, translated by Matt Bagguley
     Book Review: Cross My Heart and Never Lie by Nora Dåsnes, Matt Bagguley (Translator) | Teen Librarian Toolbox

     Honor Books
      Desert Queen by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illus. by Svabhu Kohli
            9 YA Novels (and a Picture Book) That Celebrate LGBTQIA+ Stories
      Not He or She, I’m Me by A. M. Wild, illus. by Kah Yangni
      The Otherwoods by Justine Pucella Winans
      Stars in Their Eyes by Jessica Walton, illus. by Aśka

Young Adult
Only This Beautiful Moment by Abdi Nazemian

     Honor Books
     Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa
     Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli
          SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite Quotes from 2023 Best Books
          Best Young Adult Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
          12 YA Novels Set in College
     The Long Run by James Acker
     The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White 
           Best Young Adult Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

Fox Has a Problem by Corey R. Tabor

      Honor Books
     Henry, Like Always by Jenn Bailey, illustrated by Mika Song
          Best Transitional Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
      Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends by Kaz Windness
           Review of the Day: Worm and Caterpillar Are Friends by Kaz Windness | A Fuse #8 Production

William C. Morris Award

Rez Ball by Byron Graves
     Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Reservation Dogs Read-Alikes
     YALSA Announces 2024 Morris Award Finalists

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults

Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It Changed by Dashka Slater
      YALSA Announces Finalists for 2024 Award for Excellence in Nonfiction
      Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2023 | SLJ Best Books

The Sydney Taylor Book Awards

Picture Book

Gold medalist
Two New Years by Richard Ho, illus. by Lynn Scurfield

      Silver medalists/Honors Books
      Afikomen by Tziporah Cohen, illus. by Yaara Eshet
            11 Picture Books to Celebrate Passover
     Hanukkah Upside Down by Elissa Brent Weissman, illus. by Omer Hoffmann
            Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
    Hidden Hope: How a Toy and a Hero Saved Lives During the Holocaust by Elisa Boxer, illus. by Amy June Bates
            8 Titles of Resilience and Hope for Holocaust Remembrance Day
            Exploring SLJ’s 2023 Starred Books | The 2023 Stars Issue

Middle Grade

Gold Medalist
The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman by Mari Lowe

      Silver medalists/Honor Books
      Don’t Want to Be Your Monster by Deke Moulton
      The Jake Show by Joshua S. Levy
      Not So Shy by Noa Nimrodi
      A Sky Full of Song by Susan Lynn Meyer

Young Adult
The Blood Years by Elana K. Arnold

     Silver medalists/Honor books
     Courage to Dream: Tales of Hope in the Holocaust by Neal Shusterman, illus. by Andrés Vera Martínez
            8 Titles of Resilience and Hope for Holocaust Remembrance Day
     Going Bicoastal by Dahlia Adler
     Impossible Escape: A True Story of Survival and Heroism in Nazi Europe by Steve Sheinkin
            Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2023 | SLJ Best Books
     Wrath Becomes Her by Aden Polydoros

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature

Picture Book

The Truth About Dragons illus. by Hanna Cha, written by Julie Leung
      Best Picture Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books

     Honor Book
     Finding Papa by Angela Pham Krans, illus. by Thi Bui

Children's Literature
Ruby Lost and Found by Christina Li

       Honor Book
       Parachute Kids: A Graphic Novel by Betty C. Tang
               Best Graphic Novels 2023 | SLJ Best Books
               Announced: 10 Contenders for the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
               SLJ’s Reviews of the 2023 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
               19 Amazing Audiobooks Adapted from Graphic Novels | Multimedia Audio Reviews
               15 Middle Grade & YA Graphic Novels & Audiobooks for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
               Review: Parachute Kids | Good Comics for Kids
           
Youth/YA Literature
I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom by Shannon C. F. Rogers

     Honor Book
     In Limbo by Deb JJ Lee
           SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite Books Read in 2023
           Best Graphic Novels 2023 | SLJ Best Books
           Deb JJ Lee: A Graphic Memoir About “Maintaining Tricky Relationships and Healing” Marks a Bold Debut | SLJ 2023 Stars
           15 Middle Grade & YA Graphic Novels & Audiobooks for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

American Indian Youth Literature Awards

Picture Book
Forever Cousins by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Navajo/Diné)
          NCTE Celebrates 2023 Charlotte Huck and Orbis Pictus Award Winners
          Killing the Indians in 2023: Book Banning Seeks to Erase Native Americans | Opinion
A Letter for Bob by Kim Rogers (Wichita & Affiliated Tribes), illustrated by Jonathan Nelson (Navajo/Diné)
         25 Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and More with Indigenous Protagonists for Young Readers Of All Ages

     Honor
     Celebration by Lily Hope (Tlingit), illus. by Kelsey Mata Foote (Tlingit)
     Contenders by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illus. by Arigon Starr (Kickapoo Tribe)
     Berry Song by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation)
            What Makes a Good Picture Book Great? The Difference Is in the Details
     Remember by Joy Harjo (Mvskoke Nation), illus. by Michaela Goade (Tlingit Nation)
             Best Poetry 2023 | SLJ Best Books
             SLJ Reveals 2023 Best Books Cover by Michaela Goade; Full List Rollout Begins November 20
             25 Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and More with Indigenous Protagonists for Young Readers Of All Ages
             When You Can Swim, Warrior Girl Unearthed, and Sunshine Win 2023 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards
             11 Poetry Titles for Young Readers for National Poetry Month and Beyond
     Rock Your Mocs by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illus. by Madelyn Goodnight (Chickasaw Nation)

Middle Grade
We Still Belong by Christine Day (Upper Skagit)
        Best Middle Grade Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
        25 Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and More with Indigenous Protagonists for Young Readers Of All Ages

       Honor
       Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson (Iñupiaq)
              “The best part of Humanity is the fluidity of it all.” An Eagle Drums Interview with Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson | A Fuse #8 Production
        Mascot by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation) and Charles Waters
        Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy Pants by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), illus. by Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey)
        Jo Jo Makoons: Snow Day by Dawn Quigley (Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe), illus. by Tara Audibert (Wolastoqey)
       She Persisted: Maria Tallchief by Christine Day (Upper Skagit), illus. by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint
       She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller by Traci Sorell (Cherokee Nation), illus. by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint
       She Persisted: Deb Haaland by Laurel Goodluck (Mandan & Hidatsa and Tsimshian), illus. by Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint 

Young Adult
Rez Ball by Byron Graves (Ojibwe)
        Cynthia Leitich Smith’s Reservation Dogs Read-Alikes
        YALSA Announces 2024 Morris Award Finalists

     Honor
     Warrior Girl Unearthed by Angeline Boulley (Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians)
          Best Young Adult Books 2023 | SLJ Best Books
          New ‘Firekeeper’s Daughter’ Books Announced and More from SLJ’s “Native Storytelling in Children’s Books” Webcast
          25 Picture Books, Graphic Novels, and More with Indigenous Protagonists for Young Readers Of All Ages
          When You Can Swim, Warrior Girl Unearthed, and Sunshine Win 2023 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards
     Funeral Songs for Dying Girls by Cherie Dimaline (Métis)
     Man Made Monsters by Andrea L. Rogers (Cherokee Nation), illustrated by Jeff Edwards (Cherokee Nation)
     Running with Changing Woman by Lorinda Martinez (Diné)
     Heroes of the Water Monster by Brian Young (Navajo Nation)

Odyssey Award

Children
El Deafo produced by Matie Argiropoulos, written by Cece Bell, narrated by a full cast

Young Adults
Promise Boys produced by Macmillan Young Listeners, written by Nick Brooks, narrated by a full cast.

     Honor Books

         Chinese Menu: The History, Myths, and Legends Behind Your Favorite Foods produced by Ghenet Harvey, written by Grace Lin, narrated by Lisa Ling
         Mexikid: A Graphic Memoir produced by Diane McKiernan and Olivia Langen, written by Pedro Martín, narrated by a full cast
         Once There Was produced by Allison Light, written by Kiyash Monsef, narrated by Nikki Massoud
         Sisters of the Lost Marsh produced by Paul R. Gagne, written and narrated by Lucy Strange
         Stateless produced by Elece Green and Dennis Kao, written by Elizabeth Wein, narrated by Moira Quirk.   

Alex Awards

Bad Cree by Jessica Johns
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Chlorine by Jade Song
Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros
The Hard Parts: A Memoir of Courage and Triumph by Oksana Masters
I Will Greet the Sun Again by Khashayar J. Khabushani
Maame by Jessica George
Starter Villain by John Scalzi
The Talk by Darrin Bell
Whalefall by Daniel Kraus,