The American Indian Library Association (AILA) awards are presented every two years to recognize the most outstanding contributions to children's literature by and about American Indians. The awards were established as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. Books selected to receive the award will present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in the present and past contexts.
History The first American Indian Library Association American Indian Youth Literature Awards were presented during the Joint Conference of Librarians of Color in 2006.
Criteria Authors (for illustrated books, both author AND illustrator) must be recognized by the Native community of which they claim to be a part and be connected to the people of that community. For anthologies, at least two thirds of the authors must be recognized members of the community to which they claim affiliation. Books must have been published after October of the year before the last awards were given (i.e., the odd-numbered year preceding the previous award cycle; after October 2017 for the 2020 awards, etc.). Indigenous-language text and audio materials are encouraged, and every effort will be made to provide accurate translation for the committee when possible, but the committee’s common language is English. Books may be nominated for consideration by the AIYLA Jury, publishers, librarians, authors, illustrators, and others. The Awards go beyond merely naming the best creator of a particular art form in a certain year to representing the ideals of our multiple communities. Native authors and illustrators are role models for young people. For that reason, AILA does not endorse authors who appropriate other cultures or who behave in ways that dishonor others.
Up to 5 honor books may be selected in each category.
Recipients + American Indian Youth Literature Award Winners YearCategoryRecipientTitleCitation 2006Best Picture Book Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (author) with Johnny Arlee (contributor) and Sam Sandoval (illustrator) Beaver Steals Fire: A Salish Coyote Story WinnerBest Middle School Book The Birchbark House WinnerBest Young Adult Book Hidden Roots Winner 2008Best Picture Book (author) with Jeanne Rorex Bridges (illustrator) Crossing Bok Chitto: A Choctaw Tale of Friendship & Freedom WinnerBest Middle School Book Counting Coup: Becoming a Crow Chief on the Reservation and Beyond WinnerBest Young Adult Book The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Indian Winner (Rescinded 2018) 2010Best Picture Book (author) with Gary Clement (illustrator) A Coyote Solstice Tale WinnerBest Middle School Book Meet Christopher: An Osage Indian Boy from Oklahoma WinnerBest Young Adult Book Between the Deep Blue Sea and Me Winner 2012 Best Picture Book (author) with Ellen Beier (illustrator) The Christmas Coat Winner (author) with Karen Clarkson (illustrator) Saltypie: a Choctaw Journey from Darkness into Light Honor (author) with Aaron Kawai'ae'a (illustrator) Kohala Kuamo'o: Nae'ole's Race to Save a King (author) with Matthew Kawika Ortiz (illustrator) Mohala Mai 'o Hau How Hau Became Hau'ula (English) I See Me Best Middle School Book Free Throw & Triple Threat Winner Jordin Tootoo: the Highs and Lows in the Journey to the First Inuit to Play in the NHL Honor Awesiinyensag: Dibaajimowinan ji-Gikinoo'amaageng Native Defenders of the Environment and other titles in the "Native Trailblazers series.Best Young Adult Book Pipestone: My Life in an Indian Boarding School Winner 2014Best Picture Book (author) with John Rombough (illustrator) Caribou Song, Atihko Oonagamoon Winner Best Middle School Book How I Became a Ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story Winner Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner Honor Best Young Adult Book Killer of Enemies Winner If I Ever Get Out of Here Honor 2016 Best Picture Book (author) with Julie Flett (illustrator) Little You Winner Sitting Bull: Lakota Warrior and Defender of His People Honor Best Middle School Book (author) with James Mark Yellowhawk (illustrator) In the Footsteps of Crazy Horse Winner and Mary Beth Leatherdale (editors) Dreaming in Indian Contemporary Native Voices Honor Best Young Adult Book House of Purple Cedar Winner Her Land, Her Love Honor 2018Best Picture Book , Hans Chester, David Katzeek, Nora Dauenhauer, and Richard Dauenhauer (editors) with Michaela Goade (illustrator), Shanyaak'utlaax: Salmon Boy WinnerBest Middle School Book (editor) with Theo Tso, Jonathan Nelson, Kristina Bad Hand, Roy Boney Jr., Lee Francis IV, Johnnie Diacon, Weshoyot Alvitre, Renee Nejo, and Michael Sheyahshe (contributors) Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers, Volume 1 WinnerBest Young Adult Book and Mary Beth Leatherdale (editors) # Not Your Princess: Voices of Native American Women Winner2020Best Picture Book (author) with Gordon Jourdain (translator) and Jonathan Thunder (illustrator)Bowwow Powwow: Bagosenjige-niimi’idimWinner (author) with Juana Martinez-Neal (illustrator)Fry Bread: A Native American Family StoryHonor (author and illustrator)Birdsong (author) with Weshoyot Alvitre (illustrator)At the Mountain's Base (author) with Frané Lessac (illustrator)We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga (adaptor and illustrator)Raven Makes the AleutiansBest Middle Grade Book (author) with Traci SorellIndian No MoreWinnerI Can Make This PromiseHonor (author) with Natasha Donovan (illustrator)The Grizzly MotherBest Young Adult Book (author)Hearts UnbrokenWinner (author) with Natasha Donovan (Illustrator)Surviving the CityHonor (author) with Cora De Vos (photography)Reawakening Our Ancestors’ Lines: Revitalizing Inuit Traditional Tattooing and Jean Mendoza (authors), adapted from Roxanne Dunbar-Ortiz's An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States An Indigenous Peoples’ History of the United States for Young PeopleApple in the Middle2022Best Picture Book (author) with Corey Begay (illus.)HerizonWinnerLearning My Rights with MousewomanHonor (author) with Natasha Donovan (illustrator)Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Golda Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer (author) with Corey Begay (designer)Diné Bich’eekę Yishłeeh (Diné Bizaad) /
Becoming Miss Navajo (English) (author) with Michaela Goade (illustrator)I Sang You Down From the Stars (author) with Frané Lessac (illustrator)We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should KnowBest Middle SchoolHealer of the Water MonsterWinner (author) with Tashia Hart (illustrator)Indigenous Peoples’ DayHonor (author) with Tashia Hart (Illustrator)Ella Cara Deloria: Dakota Language Protector (author) with Tashia Hart (Illustrator)Peggy Flanagan: Ogimaa Kwe, Lieutenant Governor (author) with Tara Audibert (illustrator)Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-to-Be Best FriendBest Young AdultApple (Skin to the Core)Winner (author) with Rahsan Ekedal (illustrator)Soldiers UnknownHonor (author) with Ciara Sana (illustrator)Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and PresentHunting by StarsElatsoeFirekeeper’s Daughter2024Best Picture Book (author) with Jonathan Nelson (illustrator)Forever CousinsWinner (author) with Jonathan Nelson (illustrator) (author) with Kelsey Mata Foote (illustrator)CelebrationHonor (author) with Arigon Starr (illustrator)Contenders Berry Song (author) with Michaela Goade (illustrator)Remember (author) with Madelyn Goodnight (illustrator)Rock Your MocsBest Middle SchoolWe Still BelongWinner Eagle DrumsHonor and Charles WatersMascot (author) with Tara Audibert (illustrator)Jo Jo Makoons: Fancy PantsJo Jo Makoons: Snow Day (author) with Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (illustrators)She Persisted: Maria Tallchief (author) with Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (illustrators)She Persisted: Wilma Mankiller (author) with Alexandra Boiger and Gillian Flint (illustrators)She Persisted: Deb HaalandBest Young AdultRez BallWinnerWarrior Girl UnearthedHonorFuneral Songs for Dying Girls (author) and Jeff EdwardsMan Made MonstersRunning with Changing WomanHeroes of the Water Monster
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