A review of ALA Youth Media Awards Announced
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The American Library Association (ALA) announced the top books, video and audio books for children and young adults, including the Caldecott, Coretta Scott King, Newbery and Printz awards at LibLearnX: The Library Learning Experience today.
A list of 2022 award winners follows:
- John Newbery Medal for most outstanding contribution to children’s literature - The Last Cuentista written by Donna Barba Higuera
- Randolph Caldecott Medal for most distinguished American picture book for children - Watercress illustrated by Jason Chin and written by Andrea Wang
- Mildred L. Batchelder Award to the publisher of the outstanding translated book - Temple Alley Summer is the 2022 Batchelder Award winner. Originally published in Japanese as Kimyōji Yokochō no Natsu, the book was written by Sachiko Kashiwaba, illustrated by Miho Satake, translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa and published by Yonder: Restless Books for Young Readers.
- Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for most distinguished beginning reader book - Fox at Night written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor
- Pura Belpré Author Award (cosponsored by REFORMA) for outstanding writing by a Latino author - The Last Cuentista written by Donna Barba Higuera
- Pura Belpré Illustrator Award (cosponsored by REFORMA) for outstanding illustration by a Latino artist - ¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge illustrated by Raúl Gonzalez
- Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award (cosponsored by REFORMA) for outstanding young adult writing by a Latino author - How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe written by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland, is the Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award winner.
- Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for most distinguished informational book for children - The People’s Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art written by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Evan Turk
- Michael L. Printz Award for literary excellence in young adult literature - Firekeeper’s Daughter written by Angeline Boulley
- YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction - Ambushed!: The Assassination Plot Against President Garfield written by Gail Jarrow
- Odyssey Award for outstanding audio book - Boogie Boogie, Y'all (audio version coming soon) produced by HarperAudio / Katherine Tegen Books, is the 2022 Odyssey Award winner for children. The book is written and narrated by C. G. Esperanza. When You Look Like Us produced by HarperAudio / Quill Tree Books, is the 2022 Odyssey Award winner for young adults. The book is written by Pamela N. Harris and narrated by Preston Butler III.
- Coretta Scott King Author Award for outstanding writing by an African American author - Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper.
- Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for outstanding illustrations by an African American artist - Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre illustrated by Floyd Cooper and written by Carole Boston Weatherford.
- Schneider Family Book Award for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience - My City Speaks written by Darren Lebeuf, illustrated by Ashley Barron wins the award for young children (ages 0 to 8); A Bird Will Soar written by Alison Green Myers is the winner for middle grades (ages 9 to 13); Words in My Hands written and illustrated by Asphyxia is the winner for teens (ages 14-18)
- Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children's & Young Adult Literature Award for English-language children's and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience - Too Bright to See written by Kyle Lukoff
- William C. Morris Award for a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens - Firekeeper’s Daughter written by Angeline Boulley
- Children's Literature Legacy Award honors an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made, over a period of years, a substantial and lasting contribution to literature for children through books that demonstrate integrity and respect for all children’s lives and experiences - Grace Lin
- Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award is given to a digital media producer that has created distinguished digital media for an early learning audience - Alma’s Way produced by Fred Rogers Productions
Newest awards:
- American Indian Youth Literature Award presented by the American Indian Library Association (AILA) - are announced in even years (e.g. 2022, 2024, 2026) and were established to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians and Alaska Natives. Selected titles present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts. This year’s winners include: Picture Book: Herizon written by Daniel W. Vandever [Diné] and illustrated by Corey Begay [Diné]; Middle Grade Book: Healer of the Water Monster written by Brian Young [Diné], cover art by Shonto Begay [Diné]; and Young Adult Book: Apple (Skin to the Core) written by Eric Gansworth [Onondaga]
- Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature presented by the Asian/Pacific Americans Librarians Association (APALA) - Watercress written by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin wins the award for Picture Book; Amina’s Song written by Hena Khan is the winner for Children's Literature; and Last Night at the Telegraph Club written by Malinda Lo is the Young Adult Literature winner.
- Sydney Taylor Award presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries (AJL) - The Passover Guest by Susan Kusel, illustrated by Sean Rubin wins the Picture Book category; How to Find What You’re Not Looking For by Veera Hiranandani wins the Middle Grade category and and Young Adult winner: The City Beautiful by Aden Polydoros
View all 2022 winners and honors on the American Library Association website.