The 2019 Youth Media Awards were held by the American Library Association on January 28, 2019. The awards recognize books written for children and young adults and the authors and illustrators who create them.
May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture The Arbuthnot Lecture recognizes an author, critic, librarian, historian, or teacher of children's literature. The 2020 lecturer is Neil Gaiman whose work creating modern comics and as a proponent of intellectual freedom was cited.
Alex Awards
The Alex Awards are given to books written for adults which have appeal to teenagers. +2019 RecipientsBookAuthorPublisherThe Black God's DrumsP. Djèlí ClarkTor BooksThe Book of EssieMeghan MacLean WeirKnopfCirceMadeline MillerLittle, Brown and CompanyEducated: A MemoirTara WestoverRandom HouseThe Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes AfterClemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth WeilCrown Publishing GroupGreenSam Graham-FelsenRandom HouseHome After DarkDavid SmallLiveright & CompanyHow Long 'til Black Future Month?N. K. JemisinOrbit PublicationsLawn BoyJonathan EvisonAlgonquin BooksSpinning SilverNaomi NovikDel Rey Books
American Indian Youth Literature Award This award, given biannually in even years, will be announced as part of the Youth Media Awards for the first time in 2020.
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature This award promotes Asian/Pacific American culture in books. The picture book winner was Drawn Together by Minh Lê and illustrated by Dan Santat, the children's literature winner was Front Desk by Kelly Yang, and the Young Adult literature winner was Darius the Great Is Not Okay.
Mildred L. Batchelder Award The Mildred L. Batchelder Award is given to children's books published in a language other than English and then translated into English for publication in the United States. +2019 Batchelder Award awardees Awarded Publisher Title Author Translator Language RecognitionThames & HudsonThe Fox on the SwingTranslation Bureau LithuanianWinnerYonderRun for Your Life ItalianHonoreeGraphic UniverseMy Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday Wonder FrenchHonoreeEnchanted Lion BooksJerome by Heart FrenchHonoree
Pura Belpré Awards The Pura Belpré Award is given to Latinx writers and illustrators of children's books. +2019 Pura Belpré Medal winners and honors Work Recipient Title Citation author Winner author They Call Me Güero Honor illustrator Dreamers / Soñadores Winner illustrator When Angels Sing Honor illustrator Island Born Honor
Caldecott Medal The Caldecott Medal is given to the most distinguished American picture book + Caldecott Medal winners and honors Illustrator Title AwardHello Lighthouse WinnerAlma and How She Got Her Name HonorA Big Mooncake for Little Star HonorThe Rough Patch HonorThank You, Omu! Honor
Children's Literature Legacy Award The Children's Literature Legacy Award is given as a lifetime achievement award to an author or illustrator of children's books. The award was given for the first time under this name after being renamed from the Laura Ingalls Wilder Award. Walter Dean Myers was given the award, with Somewhere in the Darkness and Monster specifically cited.
Coretta Scott King Book Awards The Coretta Scott King Awards are given to African American authors and illustrators that "demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values." +2019 Coretta Scott King Award RecipientsAward TypeRecipientTitleCitationauthorClaire HartfieldA Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919WinnerauthorLiesa Cline-RansomeFinding LangstonHonorauthorVarian JohnsonThe Parker InheritanceHonorauthorKekla MagoonThe Season of Styx MaloneHonorillustratorEkua HolmesThe Stuff of StarsWinnerillustratorLaura FreemanHidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space RaceHonorillustratorFrank MorrisonLet the Children MarchHonorillustratorR. Gregory ChristieMemphis, Martin, and the MountaintopHonorJohn Steptoe New Talent Author AwardTiffany D. JacksonMonday's Not ComingWinnerJohn Steptoe New Talent Illustrator AwardOge MoraThank You, Omu!WinnerVirginia Hamilton Lifetime AchievementPauletta Brown BracyWinner
Margaret Edwards Award The Margaret Edwards Award is a lifetime achievement award for young adult writers. The 2019 recipient was M. T. Anderson, who was cited for his work on Feed, The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume I: The Pox Party and The Astonishing Life of Octavian Nothing, Traitor to the Nation, Volume II: The Kingdom on the Waves.
Geisel Award The Geisel Award recognizes beginner reader books. + Geisel Award Winners and HonorsAuthorIllustratorTitleCitationFox the TigerWinnerThe Adventures of Otto: See Pip FlapHonorKing & Kayla and the Case of the Lost ToothHonorFox + Chick: The Party and Other StoriesHonorTiger vs. NightmareHonor
William C. Morris Award The William C. Morris Award is given to a first-time teen author. + Morris Award winners and finalistsAuthorBookCitation Adib KhorramDarius the Great Is Not OkayWinnerJoy McCulloughBlood Water PaintFinalistNgozi UkazuCheck, Please!: #HockeyFinalistTomi AdeyemiChildren of Blood and BoneFinalistVesper StamperWhat the Night SingsFinalist
Newbery Medal The Newbery Medal is given to the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. Winners and Honor BooksAuthorBookAwardMerci Suárez Changes Gears The Night Diary The Book of Boy
Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award Given for the first time in 2019, this award is given to a digital media resource for early learners. The 2019 recipient was Play and Learn Science by PBS Kids. The two honor recipients were "Coral Reef" by Tinybop and "Lexi's World" by Pop Pop Pop.
Odyssey Award The Odyssey Award is given to the best audiobook for children or young adults. +Odyssey Award winners and honor audiobooksTitle Producer Narrator Author CitationSadieMacmillan AudioRebecca Soler, Fred Berman, Dan Bittner, Gabra Zackman, and moreCourtney SummersWinnerDu Iz TakWeston Woods StudioEli D’Amico, Sebastian D’Amico, Burton Fott, Galen Fott, Laura Fott, Sarah Hart, Bella Higginbotham, Evelyn Hipp, and Brian HullCarson EllisHonorEsquivel! Space-Age Sound ArtistLive Oak MediaBrian AmadorSusan WoodHonorThe Parker InheritanceScholastic AudiobooksCherise BoothVarian JohnsonHonorThe Poet XHarperAudioElizabeth AcevedoElizabeth AcevedoHonor
Printz Award The Printz Award is given to excellence in young adult literature. + 2019 Books Author Book CitationElizabeth AcevedoThe Poet XWinnerElana K. ArnoldDamselHonorDeb CalettiA Heart in a Body in the WorldHonorMary McCoyI, ClaudiaHonor
Schenider Family Book Award The Schnieder Family Book Award is given to a book that shows the disability experience. + 2019 AwardeesAward TypeAuthorIllustratorTitleCitationYoung ChildrenJessica Kensky and Patrick DownesScott MagoonRescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing FriendshipAwardYoung ChildrenJessie OliverosDana WulfekotteThe Remember BalloonsHonorMiddle GradesLeslie ConnorThe Truth as Told by Mason ButtleAwardMiddle GradesJacqueline WoodsonThe CollectorsHonorTeensMark OshiroAnger is a Gift AwardTeensKelly Jensen (editor)(Don't) Call Me Crazy: 33 Voices Start the Conversation about Mental HealthHonor
Sibert Award The Sibert Award is given to the most distinguished informational book for children. + 2019 Robert F. Sibert Medal and Honor BooksWriterIllustratorTitleCitation —The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science Winner —Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the Wild Honor —Spooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of America Honor The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees Honor We Are Grateful: Otsaliheliga Honor When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos Santana Honor
Stonewall Book Award The Stonewall Book Award is given to children's and young adult books relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender experience. +Stonewall Book Awards Winners Category Recipient Title AwardChildren's and Young AdultJessica LoveJulián Is a MermaidWinnerChildren's and Young Adult Kheryn CallenderHurricane ChildWinnerChildren's and Young Adult Ashley Herring BlakeIvy Aberdeen's Letter to the WorldHonorChildren's and Young Adult Kelly Loy GilbertPicture Us In The LightHonor
Sydney Taylor Book Award The Sydney Taylor Book Award is given to children's and young adult books that portray the Jewish experience. The younger reader winner was All-of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah by Emily Jenkins, illustrated by Paul O. Zelinsky, the older reader winner was Sweep: The Story of a Girl and Her Monster by Jonathan Auxier, and the teen reader winner was What the Night Sings by Vesper Stamper.
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults was given to The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees written and illustrated by Don Brown. Four books were given honors: The Beloved World of Sonia Sotomayor, by Sonia Sotomayor, Boots on the Ground: America's War in Vietnam, by Elizabeth Partridge, The Faithful Spy: Dietrich Bonhoeffer and the Plot to Kill Hitler, written and illustrated by John Hendrix, and Hey, Kiddo: How I Lost My Mother, Found My Father, and Dealt with Family Addiction, written and illustrated by Jarrett J. Krosoczka.
Reaction and Reception HarperCollins and Penguin-Random House each won the most recognition with 11 citations each. Forty-seven of the award winners were women, while 30 were men. The Newbery and Caldecott winners were considered surprising as they were not on many of the lists of predicted winners. The omission of Dreamers, winner of the Belpre Illustrator award, from the Caldecott was also criticized. Newbery winner Meg Medina, who serves on the advisory board of the advocacy organization We Need Diverse Books was pleased to see the diversity of the winners. Elizabeth Acevedo whose The Poet X won recognition for both the Printz and Belpre awards was "shaking" after hearing about her Printz win and was shocked at her Belpre win, "To get that honor is so special." Sophie Blackall said she was "weeping" when she learned she had won her second Caldecott Medal while visiting Myanmar.
See also School Library Reviews of the Winners
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