YA Book Awards/Honors Winners
What are book awards? They're awards given to outstanding literature, and there are a lot of them. Here are a few awards for children/young adult media:
- Newbery Medal: Awarded for distinction in children's literature (for children 0–14 years of age). The book must be in English by an American publisher and American author(s), and books considered must be published within the year of the award.
- Michael L. Printz: Awarded to young adult literature based on their literary merit.
- Eisner Award: Originally the Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, this award is given to outstanding and creative achievement in comic books (which includes graphic novels).
- Pura Belpré Award: Awarded to a Latin/Latina authors and illustrators who exemplify the Latino cultural experience in literature for children and young adults.
- Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature: Awarded to outstanding myth/fantasy fiction in children's literature.
- Jane Addams Children's Book Award: Awarded to children's books that hold literary merit and focus on peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people.
Want to read some award winning books? I've got you covered.
Dragon Hoops by Gene Luen Yang
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Synopsis
Success doesn't happen overnight, instead it's years (and centuries) in the making. The author, Gene Luen Yang, follows the Dragons through a basketball season and highlights their ups and downs interspersing the narrative with the history of basketball.
Awards
- Michael L. Printz Honor (2021)
- Eisner Award Winner (2021, Best Publication for Teens)
- Book of the Year Award Winner (2020/2021, New York Times, Washington Post, Amazon.com, Forbes, School Library Journal, Booklist, Publishers Weekly)
Spotlight
Dragon Hoops features a cast of diverse characters overcoming adversity as a team and individually. Every character has found who they are through basketball. Based on true events, Gene Luen Yang tells the history of basketball for both men and women while weaving in each character and team event. It sounds like a lot, but it's broken down into clearly defined chapters. The author mentions at one point, "I know I'm a lousy caricaturist, okay?", but he makes each character distinguishable from the next and pays particular attention to each players background. It makes a non-basketball loving reader want to finish the novel. Not only that, at the end, he meticulously points out where he changed history to make the flow of the graphic novel more cohesive while also citing his sources. I call that a major bonus!
Additional Information
The Last Cuentista by Donna Barba Higuera
"Había una vez ..."
Synopsis
Set in a dystopian future where the world has been destroyed by Halley's Comet, Petra Peña along with a few hundred people (mainly scientists and their families) have been chosen to travel to a new planet. But when Petra wakes up after three hundred years of stasis, she discovers the ship has been hijacked and she is the only one who remembers Earth.
Awards
- John Newbery Medal Winner (2021)
- Pura Belpré Award Winner (2021)
- Book of the Year Award Winner (2021, Time, Wall Street Journal, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Boston Globe, BookPage, Publishers Weekly, School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Bank Street, Chicago Public Library, New York Public Library)
- Junior Library Guild Gold Standard
- Cybils Award Finalist
Spotlight
What seems like a straightforward disaster narrative actually highlights the importance of diversity, culture, and stories passed down. Told through science fiction, Donna Barba Higuera weaves in Mexican folklore to really show the importance of narrative in our lives. This book is not without sadness though, as it does not shy away from harsh heartbreak and struggle. The Last Cuentista highlights Petra's determination and strength when faced with unthinkable circumstances. "If this small part of my journey is to give everyone else a chance, then that is what will make our parents and ancestors proud." (pg. 313–314)
Additional Information
Where the Mountain Meets the Moon by Grace Lin
"Far away from here ..."
Synopsis
A young girl, Minli, listens to stories told to her from her father about the Jade Dragon and the Old Man in the Moon. Wanting to change her family's circumstances, she embarks on a journey to find the Old Man in the Moon to ask him to change their fortunes.
Awards
- John Newbery Medal Honor (2010)
- Mythopoeic Fantasy Award for Children's Literature (2010)
Spotlight
First I have to mention the illustrations. Each chapter has a corresponding illustration that ties in with the chapter. No two chapter illustrations are the same! They are beautiful wood cut designs that enhance the theme of the book. Weaving in Chinese folklore into a magical quest (think Alice in Wonderland vibes), Grace Lin brings readers on a journey with enchanting characters you won't soon forget. Through Minli and the folklore, readers will develop a deep emotional bond with the story and finish with a book hangover.
Additional Information
Hello Universe by Erin Entrada Kelly
"Some friendships are meant to be"
Synopsis
Virgil, Valencia, Kaori, and Chet "the Bull" are not friends. That is, until a prank on Gulliver, Virgil and Valencia's pet guinea pig, that traps Gulliver and Virgil in a well pulling the four middle schoolers together in ways none of them expect.
Awards
- John Newbery Medal Honor (2018)
Spotlight
The diversity in the book really shines creating an engaging narrative and fully formed characters without clichés. There is no pre-teen angsty drama, instead you get relationships creating friendships and the power they hold. The book handles hearing impairments, siblings, special needs, bullying, and self-reliance. With clear chapter titles, large line heights, and narrow columns the book is easy and quick to read. The ending leads you with hope for the future and a feeling of closure. "When it's time for the universe to speak, it will." (pg. 307)
Additional Information
Savvy by Ingrid Law
"Mibs Beaumont is about to become a teenager"
Synopsis
On her thirteenth birthday, Mississippi (Mibs) will get her savvy (aka magic). But the day before tragedy strikes and her father has had a terrible accident. Mibs believes that she will inherit a powerful savvy that will save her father, but instead she goes on an unexpected journey of growing up and more.
Awards
- Newbery Honor Book (2008)
- Boston Globe-Horn Book Honor Award
- An ALA Notable Book for Children
Spotlight
Filled with family values and unexpected surprises, Ingrid Law sets the stage for a wacky adventure. Readers will enjoy the many instances of alliteration. "With Fish's spit, the new voice in my head gurgled and gargled and sputtered and spluttered until 'secret' turned to 'slucbret' and 'slucbret' turned to 'sluppet' and 'sluppet' slipped away like water down a drain". (pg. 109) What feels like a lighthearted story is imbued with a deeper meaning.
Additional Information
A Wish in the Dark by Christina Soontornvat
"A boy on the run. A girl determined to find him."
Synopsis
Awards
- Newbery Honor Book (2021)
- Jane Addams Children's Book Award (2021, Books for Older Children category)
- Junior Library Guild Selection
Spotlight
Additional Information
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