Hooray! It’s that time of year! The American Library Association (ALA) has just announced the 2017 Youth Media Awards (YMAs).
Perhaps you are familiar with some of the most famous of these honors, such as the Caldecott and the Newbery. Maybe you recognize some of the shiny gold medals (or silver medals for honor books) from titles you’ve read and loved. But did you know there are almost twenty awards given out each year by the American Library Association? “Selected by committees composed of librarians and other literature and media experts, the awards encourage original and creative work in the field of children’s and young adult literature and media” (ilovelibraries.org). Below I highlight some of my favorite awards for Lower School students, with this year’s recipients and honor books. Click the title of each award recipient to learn more or stop by the library to see the books for yourself!
“most outstanding contribution to children’s literature”
The Girl Who Drank the Moon by Kelly Barnhill
Honors:
- Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan
- The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog by Adam Gidwitz
- Wolf Hollow by Lauren Wolk
“most distinguished American picture book for children”
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe
Honors:
- Leave Me Alone! by Vera Brosgol
- Freedom in Congo Square, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
- Du Iz Tak? by Carson Ellis
“recognizing an African-American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults”
King Author Book Award
March: Book Three written by John Lewis and Andrew Aydin
Honors:
- As Brave as You by Jason Reynolds
- Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan by Ashley Bryan
King Illustrator Book Award
Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat by Javaka Steptoe
Honors:
- Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan by Ashley Bryan
- Freedom in Congo Square, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
- In Plain Sight, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney, written by Richard Jackson
“honoring a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience”
Belpré Illustrator Award
Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, illustrated by Raúl Gonzalez
The book was written by Cathy Camper.
Honors:
- Esquivel!: Space-Age Sound Artist, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh, written by Susan Wood.
- The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh.
Belpré Author Award
Juana & Lucas, by Juana Medina
Honor:
- The Only Road, written by Alexandra Diaz