2026 Youth Media Awards

This page is being updated with additional articles and reviews.

SLJ 2026 Youth Media Awards Coverage

2026 Youth Media Award Winners

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson Wins Newbery; Fireworks Illustrated by Cátia Chien Earns Caldecott at 2026 Youth Media Awards

Renée Watson’s “Heartbook” Wins Newbery Medal

Illustrator Cátia Chien’s Fireworks Journey Ends with 2026 Caldecott Medal

Printz Award Celebrates Indigenous Authors, Stories with 2026 Winner Legendary Frybread Drive-In

Historic Day for Candace Fleming

Reviews

SLJ Reviews the John Newbery Medalist All the Blues in the Sky and Honor Books | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews the Caldecott Medal Winner Fireworks and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews Printz Award Medalist Legendary Frybread Drive-In and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews Coretta Scott King Award and Honor Recipients | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews Pura Belpré Award Winners and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews of the Morris Award Titles | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews the Robert F. Sibert Informational Award and Honors Recipients | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews the Schneider Family Award Medalists and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews Asian/Pacific American Award Winners | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews Stonewall Book Award Recipients | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews YALSA’s Excellence in Nonfiction | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews the American Indian Youth Literature Award Winners and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Reviews the Winners of the Sydney Taylor Book Awards | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

Winners of the Geisel, Odyssey, Alex, and Batchelder Awards, Reviewed | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

SLJ Individual Reviews of YMA Winners and Related Content

John Newbery Medal

All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson
        Renée Watson’s “Heartbook” Wins Newbery Medal
        The Newbery Medal goes to: ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY | Heavy Medal
         Where’s All the Short Fiction for Kids? A Talk with Renée Watson and Torrey Maldonado on These Much-Needed Books | A Fuse #8 Production
         Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: ALL THE BLUES IN THE SKY by Renee Watson
         2026 Orbis Pictus and Charlotte Huck Awards Announced
         Best Middle Grade Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
         Identity, Poetic Justice, and Grief Among the Themes in This Year’s Starred Titles | The 2025 Stars Issue
         42 Stellar Middle Grade & Hi-Lo Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
         10 Exemplary Audiobooks for Young Listeners | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
         23 Audiobooks to Inspire Hope in Kids, Tweens, and Teens | Audio Reviews
         9 Exemplary Novels in Verse for Middle Grade and Teen Readers
         Book Review: All the Blues in the Sky by Renée Watson | Teen Librarian Toolbox
         
      Newbery Honors
       The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli by Karina Yan Glaser
             Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE NINE MOONS OF HAN YU AND LULI by Karina Yan Glaser
             Best Middle Grade Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books

       A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águila
             SLJ Reviews Pura Belpré Award Winners and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
             32 Outstanding Middle Grade Titles from Heavy-Hitter Authors
             2026 Orbis Pictus and Charlotte Huck Awards Announced
             Longlist Announced for 2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature

      The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story by Daniel Nayeri
            Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE TEACHER OF NOMAD LAND by Daniel Nayeri
            Cover Reveal: Daniel Nayeri’s The Teacher of Nomad Land WITH Alternative Book Jacket Designs! | A Fuse #8 Production
            Review of the Day: The Teacher of Nomad Land by Daniel Nayeri | A Fuse #8 Production
            ‘The Teacher of Nomad Land’ Wins 2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
            Review: The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War Two Story | Pearl's & Ruby's
            Life During Wartime: 16 Untold World War II Stories | Great Books
            Longlist Announced for 2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature

      The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest by Aubrey Hartman
            Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE UNDEAD FOX OF DEADWOOD FOREST by Aubrey Hartman
            Is This the Year for Fantasy? Four possible Newbery contenders from the genre | Heavy Medal
            

Randolph Caldecott Medal

    Fireworks illus. by Cátia Chien, written by Matthew Burgess
          SLJ Reviews the Caldecott Medal Winner Fireworks and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
          Illustrator Cátia Chien’s Fireworks Journey Ends with 2026 Caldecott Medal
          Best Picture Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
          65 Brilliant Picture Book Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
          4 Books for the 4th (July 4th, That Is!)
          Review of the Day: Fireworks by Matthew Burgess, ill. Cátia Chien | A Fuse #8 Production
          2026 Caldecott Medal Predictions | 100 Scope Notes
          Our 2026 Mock Caldecott Results! | 100 Scope Notes
          Gallery: The 2025 New York Times Best Illustrated Children’s Books | 100 Scope Notes
          Your 2026 Caldecott Comment Card | 100 Scope Notes

         
   Caldecott Honors
    Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan
            Best Picture Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
            Jashar Awan: With Focus and Childlike Energy | Stars So Far 2025
            65 Brilliant Picture Book Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
            Review of the Day: Every Monday Mabel by Jashar Awan | A Fuse #8 Production
            2026 Caldecott Medal Predictions | 100 Scope Notes
            Our 2026 Mock Caldecott Results! | 100 Scope Notes
            2026 Books from 2026 Caldecott Winners

     Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave by Drew Beckmeyer 
             35 Impressive Nonfiction Elementary Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far

     Our Lake by Angie Kang
              Review of the Day: Our Lake by Angie Kang | A Fuse #8 Production
              65 Brilliant Picture Book Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far

      Sundust by Zeke Peña
              Best Picture Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
              20 Must-Have Spanish-Language Titles for All Ages
              Making SUNDUST with Zeke Peña | The Yarn
              59 Stellar Picture Books by Tracey Baptiste, Sophie Blackall, Lane Smith, and More
              21 Outstanding Spanish-Language and Bilingual Titles for All Ages

Michael L. Printz Award

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories by Cynthia Leitich Smith, ed.
      Printz Award Celebrates Indigenous Authors, Stories with 2026 Winner Legendary Frybread Drive-In
      SLJ Reviews Printz Award Medalist Legendary Frybread Drive-In and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
      SLJ Reviews the American Indian Youth Literature Award Winners and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
      Winners of the Geisel, Odyssey, Alex, and Batchelder Awards, Reviewed | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

     Printz Honors
     Cope Field by T. L. Simpson

     The House No One Sees by Adina King
            Identity, Poetic Justice, and Grief Among the Themes in This Year’s Starred Titles | The 2025 Stars Issue
            64 Superb YA & Adult Books for Teens Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
            Author Adina King on YA Debut ‘The House No One Sees’ | 5 Questions and a Rec
            New Year, New Authors: 7 Starred YA Debuts Since the Start of 2025

     Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
            44 Compelling Books for Every Kind of YA Reader
            Best Young Adult Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
            Angeline Boulley and the Importance of Humor in Native Stories
            How Educators Can Support Native Students

      Song of a ­Blackbird by Maria van Lieshout
             Best Graphic Novels 2025 | SLJ Best Books
             Longlist Announced for 2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature
             37 Exceptional Graphic Novel & Manga Titles for All Ages | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
             Life During Wartime: 16 Untold World War II Stories | Great Books
             9 Middle Grade & YA Graphic Novels About the Holocaust

Coretta Scott King Book Awards
 

Coretta Scott King Author Award
Will's Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes
      Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: WILL’S RACE FOR HOME by Jewell Parker Rhodes
      42 Stellar Middle Grade & Hi-Lo Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
      10 Exemplary Audiobooks for Young Listeners | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
      23 Audiobooks to Inspire Hope in Kids, Tweens, and Teens | Audio Reviews
      Review of the Day: Will’s Race for Home by Jewell Parker Rhodes | A Fuse #8 Production
      
       Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books
       The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze by Derrick Barnes
              Heavy Medal Mock Newbery Finalist: THE INCREDIBLY HUMAN HENSON BLAYZE by Derrick Barnes
              32 Outstanding Middle Grade Titles from Heavy-Hitter Authors
              Longlist Announced for 2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature

        The Library in the Woods by Calvin Alexander Ramsey
               59 Stellar Picture Books by Tracey Baptiste, Sophie Blackall, Lane Smith, and More
               SLJ Reviews Stonewall Book Award Recipients | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

         Split the Sky by Marie Arnold
                44 Compelling Books for Every Kind of YA Reader
                 

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award
The Library in the Woods by Calvin Alexander Ramsey
               59 Stellar Picture Books by Tracey Baptiste, Sophie Blackall, Lane Smith, and More
               SLJ Reviews Stonewall Book Award Recipients | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

          Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award Honor Books
           André: André Leon Talley—A Fabulously Fashionable Fairy Tale by Carole Boston Weatherford & Rob Sanders (text) & illus. by Lamont O’Neal
           City Summer, Country Summer by Kiese Laymon (text) & illus. by Alexis Franklin
                   SLJ Talks to Kiese Laymon About His New Picture Book City Summer, Country Summer
                   59 Stellar Picture Books by Tracey Baptiste, Sophie Blackall, Lane Smith, and More
                  Review of the Day: City Summer, Country Summer by Kiese Laymon, ill. Alexis Franklin | A Fuse #8 Production

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award
Under the Neon Lights by Arriel Vinson

Pura Belpré Awards

Pura Belpré Illustration Award
Popo the Xolo by Paloma Angelina Lopez. illus. by Abraham Matias

        Pura Belpré Illustration Honors 
        A-Ztec: A Bilingual Alphabet Book by Emmanuel Valtierra
             20 Must-Have Spanish-Language Titles for All Ages
             21 Outstanding Spanish-Language and Bilingual Titles for All Ages
        The Invisible Parade by Leigh Bardugo. illus. by John Picacio
              5 Picture Books for Dia de Muertos
             Throw Wide Those Cemetery Gates: Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio Discuss The Invisible Parade | A Fuse #8 Production

Pura Belpré Children's Author Award
The Pecan Sheller by Lupe Ruiz-Flores. Lerner/Carolrhoda

           Pura Belpré Children's Author Honors 
           A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation by Pablo Cartaya
                 School’s Out! 3 Middle Grade Novels about Vacation | Spotlight
                 Pablo Cartaya visits The Yarn
           The Island of Forgotten Gods by Victor Piñeiro
                  Reinvigorating Puerto Rico’s Indigenous Mythology, a guest post by Victor Piñeiro | Teen Librarian Toolbox
            A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez by María Dolores Águila
                   SLJ Reviews Pura Belpré Award Winners and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
                   32 Outstanding Middle Grade Titles from Heavy-Hitter Authors
                  2026 Orbis Pictus and Charlotte Huck Awards Announced
                  Longlist Announced for 2025 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature

Pura Belpré YA Author Award
On the Wings of la Noche by Vanessa L Torres
      BABYSITTING, WAITING TABLES, FIREFIGHTING, AND WRITING A NOVEL, a guest post by Vanessa L. Torres | Teen Librarian Toolbox

      Pura Belpré YA Author Honors
      Rosa by Any Other Name by Hailey Alcaraz
      Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide by Pablo Leon
            SLJ Reviews the Robert F. Sibert Informational Award and Honors Recipients | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
            23 Riveting Graphic Novels for Tweens and Teens
      The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez
            Book Review: The Story of My Anger by Jasminne Mendez | Teen Librarian Toolbox
            La historia de mi furia by Jasminne Mendez
            

Stonewall Book Award

Stonewall Book Award -- Children's Literature 
Halfway to Somewhere by Jose Pimienta
        “I swear I’m never going to write anything this personal ever again.” Jose Pimienta Discusses Halfway to Somewhere | A Fuse #8 Production

       Stonewall Book Award-- Children's Literature Honors
       Call Me Gray by Andrew Larsen and Bells Larsen (text) & illus. by Tallulah Fontaine
       The Ink Witch by Steph Cherrywell
            Best Middle Grade Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
       Ollie In Between by Jess Callans
            42 Stellar Middle Grade & Hi-Lo Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
            25 Middle Grade Titles for Pride Month and Beyond
       Woods & Words: The Story of Poet Mary Oliver by Sara Holly Ackerman (text) & illus. by Naoko Stoop

Stonewall Book Award -- YA 
One of the Boys by Victoria Zeller

         Stonewall Book Award -- YA Honors
         Devils Like Us by L.T. Thompson
               19 YA Series That Are Bursting with Emotion | YA Fiction Series
          He’s So Possessed with Me by Corey Liu
          Hick: The Trailblazing Journalist Who Captured Eleanor Roosevelt’s Heart by Sarah Miller
                 Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2025 | SLJ Best Books
                 19 Standout Nonfiction Books for Middle and High School | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
          Sometimes the Girl by Jennifer Mason-Black
                  The Big Why: The Complications of Creativity and Sometimes the Girl, a guest post by author Jennifer Mason-Black | Teen Librarian Toolbox
         

Schneider Family Book Awards

Younger Children (ages 0 to 8)
Wanda Hears the Stars: A Blind Astronomer Listens to the Universe by Amy S. Hansen with Wanda Díaz Merced (text) & illus. by Rocío Arreola Mendoza
       Wanda oye las estrellas: Una astrónoma ciega escucha al universo
       20 Must-Have Spanish-Language Titles for All Ages

   Schneider Younger Children Honors
   Bat and the Business of Ferrets by Elana K. Arnold (text) & illus. by Charles Santoso
   Hear the Snow, I Smell the Sea by Janice Milusich (text) & illus. by Chris Raschka

Middle Grade (Age 9-13)
Where Only Storms Grow: A Novel About the Dust Bowl by Alyssa Colman

       Middle Grade Honors
        Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron
            Best Middle Grade Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
            Identity, Poetic Justice, and Grief Among the Themes in This Year’s Starred Titles | The 2025 Stars Issue
            Book Review: Octopus Moon by Bobbie Pyron | Teen Librarian Toolbox
        The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi
            12 Excellent Young Readers’ Books to Display During Muslim Heritage Month
            Identity, Poetic Justice, and Grief Among the Themes in This Year’s Starred Titles | The 2025 Stars Issue
            42 Stellar Middle Grade & Hi-Lo Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
            Book Review: The Strongest Heart by Saadia Faruqi | Teen Librarian Toolbox

YA (Age 14-18)
Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen by James Robinson (text) & illus. by Brian Rea
     Winners of the Geisel, Odyssey, Alex, and Batchelder Awards, Reviewed | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
     Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2025 | SLJ Best Books
     19 Standout Nonfiction Books for Middle and High School | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far

     YA Honors
      The Golden Boy’s Guide to Bipolar by Sonora Reyes
             19 YA Series That Are Bursting with Emotion | YA Fiction Series
             Fast Five Interview: Sonora Reyes | Teen Librarian Toolbox
       The Poetry of Car Mechanics by Heidi E.Y. Stemple
              Best Middle Grade Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
              42 Stellar Middle Grade & Hi-Lo Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award

Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa: Join the Quest with Peru’s Famed Scientist and Potato Expert by Sara Andrea Fajardo (text) & illus. by Juana Martinez-Neal
     2026 Orbis Pictus and Charlotte Huck Awards Announced
     13 Nonfiction Titles for Kids and Teens About Latine Heritage
     21 Outstanding Spanish-Language and Bilingual Titles for All Ages
     9 Spanish-Language Nonfiction About Latinx Trailblazers, Identity, and Brujería
     First Look! : A Peek Into Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka Con La Papa | A Fuse #8 Production

     Honors
      At Last She Stood: How Joey Guerrero Spied, Survived, and Fought for Freedom by Erin Entrada Kelly
             SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite Best Books Cover
             2026 Orbis Pictus and Charlotte Huck Awards Announced
             Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2025 | SLJ Best Books
             22 Audiobooks for Kids and Teens Who Love Mysteries and Thrillers
             19 Standout Nonfiction Books for Middle and High School | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
             Life During Wartime: 16 Untold World War II Stories | Great Books
             Fast Five Interview: Erin Entrada Kelly | Teen Librarian Toolbox

       Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer by Quartez Harris (text) & illus. by Gordon C. James
              28 Nonfiction Gems Celebrating Black History
              Best Nonfiction Elementary Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
              35 Impressive Nonfiction Elementary Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
              28 Picture Book Biographies for Black History Month and All Year
              Go Tell It: How James Baldwin Became a Writer – A Talk with Quartez Harris and Gordon C. James | A Fuse #8 Production

        The History of We by Nikkolas Smith
               SLJ Book Reviews Editors’ Favorite Best Books Cover
               28 Nonfiction Gems Celebrating Black History
               42 Nonfiction Picture Books on Extreme Weather, Black History, Groundbreaking Figures, and More
               Best Nonfiction Elementary Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
               Educational Justice: A Nikkolas Smith Interview About The History of We | A Fuse #8 Production
        Silenced Voices: ­Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan ­Genocide by Pablo Leon
                 23 Riveting Graphic Novels for Tweens and Teens
                 SLJ Reviews Pura Belpré Award Winners and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
         A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, A Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day (text) & illus. by Yas Imamura
                  SLJ Reviews YALSA’s Excellence in Nonfiction | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
                  YALSA Announces Finalists for 2026 Morris and Excellence in Nonfiction Awards
                  Book Review: A World Without Summer: A Volcano Erupts, A Creature Awakens, and the Sun Goes Out by Nicholas Day with illustrations by Yas Imamura | Teen Librarian Toolbox
                  

Mildred L. Batchelder Award

Croco by Azul López

     Honors
      The Adventures of Cipollino by Gianni Rodari. illus. by Dasha Tolstikova
      From Memen to Mori by Shinsuke Yoshitake
      Picking Tea with Baba by Xu Bin. illus. by Yu Yin
      Pilgrim Codex by Vivian Mansour. illus. by Emmanuel Valtierra
 

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

Stop That Mop! by Jonathan Fenske

     Honors
     Earl and Worm: The Big Mess and Other Stories by Greg Pizzoli
          Best Transitional Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
     I Like Hoops by Juwanda G. Ford. illus. by Jada Jeni Bennett
     The Tunneler Tunnels in the Tunnel by Michael Rex

William C. Morris Award

All the Noise at Once by DeAndra Davis
     18 Engrossing Multimedia Picks for Audiobook, Anime, and RPG Fans
     22 Audiobooks for Kids and Teens Who Love Mysteries and Thrillers
     Identity, Poetic Justice, and Grief Among the Themes in This Year’s Starred Titles | The 2025 Stars Issue
     64 Superb YA & Adult Books for Teens Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
     14 YA & MG Books & Graphic Novels with Disability Representation
     Autism Isn’t A Superpower, and Other Stories, a guest post by DeAndra Davis | Teen Librarian Toolbox
     YALSA Announces Finalists for 2026 Morris and Excellence in Nonfiction Awards

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults

Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown by Candace Fleming
     Practice Mock Newbery Discussion: DEATH IN THE JUNGLE | Heavy Medal
     YALSA Announces Finalists for 2026 Morris and Excellence in Nonfiction Awards
     Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2025 | SLJ Best Books
     19 Standout Nonfiction Books for Middle and High School | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
     2025 Boston Globe-Horn Book Awards Announced

Sydney Taylor Book Awards

Picture Book Gold Medalist
Shabbat Shalom: Let’s Rest and Reset by Suzy Ultman

       Silver Medalists
       The Book of Candles: Eight Poems for Hanukkah by Laurel Snyder. illus. by Leanne Hatch
       The Keeper of Stories by Caroline Kusin Pritchard. illus. by Selina Alko
             2026 Orbis Pictus and Charlotte Huck Awards Announced
             Not Just Books—A Jump Start| Great Books
       My Body Can by Laura Gehl. illus. by Alexandra Colombo

Middle Grade Gold Medalist
Neshama by Marcella Pixley
      Neshama: Unearthing Family Stories to Heal Complex Identities, a guest post by Marcella Pixley | Teen Librarian Toolbox

      Silver Medalist
      Beinoni by Mari Lowe

YA Gold Medalist
D.J. Rosenblum Becomes the G.O.A.T. by Abby White

       Silver Medalist
       The Rebel Girls of Rome by Jordan Taylor

Body of Work   
Uri Shulevitz 
     The Sky Was My Blanket: A Young Man’s Journey Across Wartime Europe by Uri Shulevitz
     Chance: Escape from the Holocaust by Uri Shulevitz
     Troto and the Trucks by Uri Shulevitz
     Dusk by Uri Shulevitz

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature

Asian American Award for Literature—Picture Book
Many Things at Once by Veera Hiranandani. illus. by Nadia Alam
     L’Chaim! Jewish Life, Family, and Celebrations New & Old | Great Books

    Honors
     Every Peach Is a Story by David Mas Masumoto & Nikiko Masumoto. illus. by Lauren Tamaki
     A Vaisakhi to Remember by Simran Jeet Singh. illus. by Japneet Kaur

Pasifika Award for Literature—Picture Book

Kaho‘olawe: The True Story of an Island and Her People by Kamalani Hurley. illus. by Harinani Orme
     Best Nonfiction Elementary Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
     Identity, Poetic Justice, and Grief Among the Themes in This Year’s Starred Titles | The 2025 Stars Issue
     35 Impressive Nonfiction Elementary Titles | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far

     Honors
     Filo’s Butterflies by Litea Fuata. illus. by Myo Yim
     White Sunday by Litea Fuata. illus. by Myo Yim

Children's Literature

Hungry Bones by Louise Hung
     Even Books Have Ancestors or That Time I Was a Fourth Grade Publishing Mogul, a guest post by Louise Hung

     Honors
     The Queen Bees of Tybee County by Kyle Casey Chu
          Best Middle Grade Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
          25 Middle Grade Titles for Pride Month and Beyond
          3 Small-Town Stories for Tweens | Middle Grade Spotlight

     Fresh Start by Gale Galligan
         Review of the Day: Fresh Start by Gale Galligan | A Fuse #8 Production
         37 Exceptional Graphic Novel & Manga Titles for All Ages | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature—Young Adult

The Red Car to Hollywood by Jennie Liu

     Honors
     Tall Water by SJ Sindu

American Indian Youth Literature Award

American Indian Youth Literature Picture Book Award
Chooch Helped by Andrea L Rogers, illus. by ­Rebecca Lee Kunz
     First Time Book Illustrator Wins Caldecott for Chooch Helped

     Honors
     Braided Roots by Pasha Westbrook. illus. by Madelyn Goodnight
     Fierce Aunties! by Laurel Goodluck. illus. by Steph Littlebird
     For a Girl Becoming by Joy Harjo. illus. by Adriana Garcia
     Raven’s Ribbons by Tasha Spillett. illus. by Daniel Ramirez
     We Weave by Daniel W. Vandever. illus. by Deonoveigh Mitchell

Middle Grade Award

Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan
     Native Voices: A Curated List of 2024 Titles Featuring Native American Stories | Great Books
     25 Diverse Audiobooks for Kids and Teens
     SLJ’s Reviews of the 2024 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists
     2024 National Book Award for Young People’s Literature Finalists Announced
     Guest Post: Recognizing Our Past, Awakening Our Future by Violet Duncan (Buffalo Dreamer) | A Fuse #8 Production
     Book Review: Buffalo Dreamer by Violet Duncan | Teen Librarian Toolbox

     Honors
     Jo Jo Makoons: The Super-Scary Sleepover by Dawn Quigley. illus. by Tara Audibert
          An Abundance of Diverse Stories | Chapter Book Fiction Series
    Lost at Windy River: A True Story of Survival by Trina Rathgeber. illus. by Alina Pete & Jillian Dolan
          9 Contemporary, Indigenous Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens | Stellar Panels  
          Native Voices: A Curated List of 2024 Titles Featuring Native American Stories | Great Books   
          Keeping It Real: Eight Standout Nonfiction Graphic Novels | Stellar Panels
     Outfoxed by Elise McMullen-Ciotti
     Red Bird Danced by Dawn Quigley
           Best Middle Grade Books 2024 | SLJ Best Books
           Native Voices: A Curated List of 2024 Titles Featuring Native American Stories | Great Books
           42 Stellar Middle Grade | SLJ 2024 Stars So Far
           Eight Verse Novels that Illuminate Disability Experiences
    The Ribbon Skirt by Cameron Mukwa
            9 Contemporary, Indigenous Graphic Novels for Kids and Teens | Stellar Panels
           Native Voices: A Curated List of 2024 Titles Featuring Native American Stories | Great Books

    The Summer of the Bone Horses by Virginia Driving Hawk Sneve. illus. by Steph Littlebird

American Indian Youth Literature Young Adult Award

Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories. edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith
     Printz Award Celebrates Indigenous Authors, Stories with 2026 Winner Legendary Frybread Drive-In
      SLJ Reviews Printz Award Medalist Legendary Frybread Drive-In and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
      SLJ Reviews the American Indian Youth Literature Award Winners and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
      Winners of the Geisel, Odyssey, Alex, and Batchelder Awards, Reviewed | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

     Honors
      Sheine Lende: A Prequel to Elatsoe by Darcie Little Badger. illus. by Rovina Cai
      Sisters in the Wind by Angeline Boulley
           44 Compelling Books for Every Kind of YA Reader
            Best Young Adult Books 2025 | SLJ Best Books
            Angeline Boulley and the Importance of Humor in Native Stories
            How Educators Can Support Native Students
      Super Indian, Volume Three by Arigon Starr
      The Unfinished by Cheryl Isaacs
           Facing Horror with Uncertainty: The Many Ways One Can be Unfinished, a guest post by Cheryl Isaacs | Teen Librarian Toolbox
      Where Wolves Don’t Die by Anton Treuer    

Odyssey Award

Odyssey Award, Children (0-14)
Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story by Traci Sorell. illus. by Joseph Erb

Odyssey Award, YA (12-18)
Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day by Alex. L. Combs and Andrew Eakett

     Honors
      The Dead of Summer by Ryan La Sala. narrated by the author and a full cast
      Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith. narrated by a full cast
             Printz Award Celebrates Indigenous Authors, Stories with 2026 Winner Legendary Frybread Drive-In
             SLJ Reviews Printz Award Medalist Legendary Frybread Drive-In and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
             SLJ Reviews the American Indian Youth Literature Award Winners and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026
      Whale Eyes: A Memoir About Seeing and Being Seen by James Robinson. illus. by Brian Rea
             Best Nonfiction Middle to High School 2025 | SLJ Best Books
             19 Standout Nonfiction Books for Middle and High School | SLJ 2025 Stars So Far
              SLJ Reviews the Schneider Family Award Medalists and Honors | ALA Youth Media Awards 2026

        Soundtrack by Jason Reynolds. narrated by a full cast     
               18 Engrossing Multimedia Picks for Audiobook, Anime, and RPG Fans
                “If you like my storytelling, this is your jam.” Jason Reynolds Goes All Audio with “Soundtrack” | A Fuse #8 Production
               23 Audiobooks to Inspire Hope in Kids, Tweens, and Teens | Audio Reviews
               

Alex Awards

The Favorites by Layne Fargo
The Girls Who Grew Big by Leila Mottley
Harriet Tubman: Live in Concert by Bob the Drag Queen
Hole in the Sky by Daniel H. Wilson
Insectopolis: A Natural History by Peter Kuper
Plum by Andy Anderegg
Sonita: My Fight Against Tyranny and My Escape to Freedom by Sonita Alizada
These Heathens by Mia McKenzie
What Kind of Paradise by Janelle Brown
The Whyte Python World Tour by Travis Kennedy