2019 Youth Media Awards

Last updated

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.

Contents

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. [1]

Alex Awards

The Alex Awards are given to books written for adults which have appeal to teenagers. [2]

2019 Recipients
BookAuthorPublisher
The Black God's Drums P. Djèlí Clark Tor Books
The Book of Essie Meghan MacLean Weir Knopf
CircleMadeline Miller Little, Brown and Company
Educated: A Memoir Tara Westover Random House
The Girl Who Smiled Beads: A Story of War and What Comes After Clemantine Wamariya and Elizabeth Weil Crown Publishing Group
GreenSam Graham-Felsen Random House
Home After DarkDavid Small Liveright & Company
How Long 'Til Black Future Month N. K. Jemisin Orbit Publications
Lawn Boy Jonathan Evison Algonquin Books
Spinning Silver Naomi Novik Del 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. [1]

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. [1]

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. [1]

2019 Batchelder Award awardees
Awarded PublisherTitleAuthorTranslatorLanguageRecognition
Thames & HudsonThe Fox on the SwingEvelina DaciūtėTranslation BureauLithuanianWinner
YonderRun for Your LifeSilvana GandolfiLynne Sharon SchwartzItalianHonoree
Graphic UniverseMy Beijing: Four Stories of Everyday WonderNie JunEdward GauvinFrench [lower-alpha 1] Honoree
Enchanted Lion BooksJerome by HeartThomas ScottoClaudia Zoe Bedrick and Karin SnelsonFrenchHonoree

Pura Belpré Awards

The Pura Belpré Award is given to Latinx writers and illustrators of children's books. [1]

2019 Pura Belpré Medal winners and honors
WorkRecipientTitleCitation
author Elizabeth Acevedo The Poet X Winner
authorDavid BowlesThey Call Me GüeroHonor
illustrator Yuyi Morales Dreamers / SoñadoresWinner
illustratorJosé RamírezWhen Angels SingHonor
illustratorLeo EspinosaIsland BornHonor

Caldecott Medal

The Caldecott Medal is given to the most distinguished American picture book [2]

Caldecott Medal winners and honors
IllustratorTitleAward
Sophie Blackall Hello Lighthouse Winner
Juana Martinez-Neal Alma and How She Got Her Name Honor
Grace Lin A Big Mooncake for Little Star Honor
Brian Lies The Rough Patch Honor
Oge Mora Thank 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. [2] Walter Dean Myers was given the award, with Somewhere in the Darkness and Monster specifically cited. [1]

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." [2]

2019 Coretta Scott King Award Recipients [1]
Award TypeRecipientTitleCitation
authorClaire HartfieldA Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919Winner
authorLiesa Cline-RansomeFinding LangstonHonor
authorVarian JohnsonThe Parker InheritanceHonor
authorKekla MagoonThe Season of Styx MaloneHonor
illustratorEkua HolmesThe Stuff of StarsWinner
illustratorLaura FreemanHidden Figures: The True Story of Four Black Women and the Space RaceHonor
illustratorFrank Morrison Let the Children March Honor
illustratorR. Gregory ChristieMemphis, Martin, and the MountaintopHonor
John Steptoe New Talent Author AwardTiffany D. Jackson Monday's Not Coming Winner
John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator AwardOge Mora Thank You, Omu! Winner
Virginia 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. [1]

Geisel Award

The Geisel Award recognizes beginner reader books. [1]

Geisel Award Winners and Honors
AuthorIllustratorTitleCitation
Corey Tabor Corey Tabor Fox the TigerWinner
David Milgrim David Milgrim The Adventures of Otto: See Pip FlapHonor
Butler Nancy Meyers King & Kayla and the Case of the Lost ToothHonor
Sergio Ruzzier Sergio Ruzzier Fox + Chick: The Party and Other StoriesHonor
Emily Tetri Emily Tetri Tiger vs. NightmareHonor

William C. Morris Award

The Moriss Award is given to a first-time teen author. [1]

Morris Award winners and finalists
AuthorBookCitation
Adib Khorram Darius the Great is Not Okay Winner
Joy McCulloughBlood Water PaintFinalist
Ngozi UkazuCheck, Please!: #HockeyFinalist
Tomi Adeymi Children of Blood and Bone Finalist
Vesper StamperWhat the Night SingsFinalist

Newbery Medal

The Newbery Medal is given to the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. [2]

Winners and Honor Books
AuthorBookAward
Meg Medina Merci Suárez Changes Gears Winner
Veera HiranandaniThe Night DiaryHonor
Catherine Gilbert Murdock The Book of BoyHonor

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. [1]

Odyssey Award

The Odyssey Award is given to the best audiobook for children or young adults. [1]

Odyssey Award winners and honor audiobooks
TitleProducerNarratorAuthorCitation
SadieMacmillan Audio Rebecca Soler, Fred Berman, Dan Bittner, Gabra Zackman, and more Courtney Summers Winner
Du Iz TakWeston Woods StudioEli D’Amico, Sebastian D’Amico, Burton Fott, Galen Fott, Laura Fott, Sarah Hart, Bella Higginbotham, Evelyn Hipp, and Brian Hull Carson Ellis Honor
Esquivel! Space-Age Sound ArtistLive Oak MediaBrian Amador Susan Wood Honor
The Parker Inheritance Scholastic AudiobooksCherise Booth Varian Johnson Honor
The Poet X' HarperAudio Elizabeth Acevedo Elizabeth Acevedo Honor

Printz Award

The Printz Award is given to excellence in young adult literature.

2019 Books
AuthorBookCitation
Elizabeth Acevedo The Poet X Winner
Elana K. ArnoldDamselHonor
Deb CalettiA Heart in a Body in the WorldHonor
Mary McCoyI, ClaudiaHonor

Schenider Family Book Award

The Schnieder Family Book Award is given to a book that shows the disability experience. [1]

2019 Awardees
Award TypeAuthorIllustratorTitleCitation
Young ChildrenJessica Kensky and Patrick DownesScott Magoon Rescue and Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship Award
Young ChildrenJessie OliverosDana Wulfekotte The Remember Balloons Honor
Middle GradesLeslie Connor The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle Award
Middle Grades Jacqueline Woodson The CollectorsHonor
TeensMark Oshiro Anger is a Gift Award
TeensKelly 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. [1]

2019 Robert F. Sibert Medal and Honor Books
WriterIllustratorTitleCitation
Joyce Sidman The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed ScienceWinner
Catherine Thimmesh Camp Panda: Helping Cubs Return to the WildHonor
Gail Jarrow Spooked!: How a Radio Broadcast and The War of the Worlds Sparked the 1938 Invasion of AmericaHonor
Don Brown Don Brown The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian RefugeesHonor
Traci Sorell Frané Lessac We Are Grateful: OtsaliheligaHonor
Michael Mahin Jose Ramirez When Angels Sing: The Story of Rock Legend Carlos SantanaHonor

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. [2]

Stonewall Book Awards Winners [1]
CategoryRecipientTitleAward
Children's and Young AdultJessica Love Julian is a Mermaid Winner
Children's and Young AdultKheryn Callender Hurricane Child Winner
Children's and Young AdultAshley Herring Blake Ivy Aberdeen's Letter to the World Honor
Children's and Young AdultKelly Loy Gilbert Picture Us in the Light Honor

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. [1]

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. [3] 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 criticised. [4] 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. [4] 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." [5] Sophie Blackall said she was "weeping" when she learned she had won her second Caldecott Medal while visiting Myanmar. [6]

See also

School Library Reviews of the Winners

Notes

  1. The book was originally published in Mandarin, and was translated into French. The French translation was the basis for the English translation.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Picture book</span> Book with images at least as important as words

A picture book combines visual and verbal narratives in a book format, most often aimed at young children. With the narrative told primarily through text, they are distinct from comics, which do so primarily through sequential images. The images in picture books can be produced in a range of media, such as oil paints, acrylics, watercolor, and pencil. Picture books often serve as pedagogical resources, aiding with children's language development or understanding of the world.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newbery Medal</span> American childrens literary award

The John Newbery Medal, frequently shortened to the Newbery, is a literary award given by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), to the author of "the most distinguished contributions to American literature for children". The Newbery and the Caldecott Medal are considered the two most prestigious awards for children's literature in the United States. Books selected are widely carried by bookstores and libraries, the authors are interviewed on television, and master's theses and doctoral dissertations are written on them. Named for John Newbery, an 18th-century English publisher of juvenile books, the winner of the Newbery is selected at the ALA's Midwinter Conference by a fifteen-person committee. The Newbery was proposed by Frederic G. Melcher in 1921, making it the first children's book award in the world. The physical bronze medal was designed by Rene Paul Chambellan and is given to the winning author at the next ALA annual conference. Since its founding there have been several changes to the composition of the selection committee, while the physical medal remains the same.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caldecott Medal</span> Annual U. S. childrens book illustrator award

The Randolph Caldecott Medal, frequently shortened to just the Caldecott, annually recognizes the preceding year's "most distinguished American picture book for children". It is awarded to the illustrator by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA). The Caldecott and Newbery Medals are considered the most prestigious American children's book awards. Beside the Caldecott Medal, the committee awards a variable number of citations to runners-up they deem worthy, called the Caldecott Honor or Caldecott Honor Books.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kate Seredy</span> American writer

Kate Seredy was a Hungarian-born writer and illustrator of children's books. She won the Newbery Medal once, the Newbery Honor twice, the Caldecott Honor once, and Lewis Carroll Shelf Award. Most of her books were written in English, which was not her first language. Seredy seems to be unknown in her native Hungary, despite the fact that her story of the Good Master, and the sequel set in World War I are intensely about Hungary.

The Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) is a division of the American Library Association, and it is the world's largest organization dedicated to library service to children. Its members are dedicated to creating a better future for children through libraries.

The Michael L. Printz Award is an American Library Association literary award that annually recognizes the "best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit". It is sponsored by Booklist magazine; administered by the ALA's young-adult division, the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA); and named for the Topeka, Kansas, school librarian Mike Printz, a long-time active member of YALSA.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Candlewick Press</span> Publishing company

Candlewick Press, established in 1992 and located in Somerville, Massachusetts, is part of the Walker Books group. The logo depicting a bear carrying a candle is based on Walker Books's original logo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Pam Muñoz Ryan</span> American writer

Pam Muñoz Ryan is an American writer for children and young adults, particularly in the Multicultural genre.

The Coretta Scott King Award is an annual award presented by the Ethnic & Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table, part of the American Library Association (ALA). Named for Coretta Scott King, wife of Martin Luther King Jr., this award recognizes outstanding books for young adults and children by African Americans that reflect the African-American experience. Awards are given both to authors and to illustrators.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">David Díaz (illustrator)</span> American childrens illustrator

David Díaz is an American illustrator of children's books. He won the 1995 Caldecott Medal for U.S. picture book illustration recognizing Smoky Night by Eve Bunting. He currently lives in Carlsbad, California.

Marcus Sedgwick was a British writer and illustrator. He authored several young adult and children's books and picture books, a work of nonfiction and several novels for adults, and illustrated a collection of myths and a book of folk tales for adults. According to School Library Journal his "most acclaimed titles" were those for young adults.

The Northeast Children's Literature Collection (NCLC) is housed at Archives & Special Collections at the University of Connecticut. The purpose of the Northeast Children’s Literature Collection is to preserve the history of the creation of our best literature written for children. Emphasis is given to the perception of children’s literature as a form of art over other educational or social intentions. Archives are collected to document the process of children’s book creation by authors and illustrators in collaboration with agents, editors, designers and publishers.

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Yuyi Morales</span> Mexican-American childrens book author and illustrator.

Yuyi Morales is a Mexican-American children's book author and illustrator. She is known for her books Just a Minute: A Trickster Tale and Counting Book, Little Night, and Viva Frida, which received the 2015 Pura Belpre Medal for illustration as well as a 2015 Caldecott Honor. Morales is the first Latina to be a Caldecott recipient.

<i>Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat</i> 2016 picture book by Javaka Steptoe

Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat is a 2016 picture book biography by Javaka Steptoe about Jean-Michel Basquiat. Using a style similar to Basquiat's, the book tells the story of his childhood and early career. It won the 2017 Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award for its illustrations.

<i>Hello Lighthouse</i> Picture book by Sophie Blackall

Hello Lighthouse is a picture book written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. The book tells the story of a lighthouse and its last keeper and was well received, winning the 2019 Caldecott Medal for its illustrations. Drawing inspiration from a variety of sources, Blackall worked hard on the design of the book. The writing and illustrations were meant to complement each other noting the change and consistency of the sea.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">John Parra (illustrator)</span> American illustrator (born 1972)

John Parra is an American illustrator. Parra's books have received awards including the Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor Book Award, Golden Kite Award, Christopher Award, and an International Latino Book Award. He has additionally worked as an illustrator for corporate marketing campaigns and as an art instructor.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Kyle Lukoff</span> Childrens book author and scholar

Kyle Lukoff is a children's book author, school librarian, and former bookseller. He is most known for the Stonewall award-winning When Aidan Became a Brother and for Call Me Max, which gained attention when parents in Texas complained about the book being read in an elementary school classroom and a Utah school district canceled its book program after the book was read to third graders.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tae Keller</span> American author

Tae Keller is an American children's book author. Her book, When You Trap a Tiger, won the 2021 Newbery Medal. The book tells the story of Lily and her relationship with her aging and ill Korean grandmother, wrapped around the Korean folktales her grandmother tells her at bedtime.

Donna Barba Higuera is an American children's book author. Her debut novel, Lupe Wong Won't Dance, was a Pura Belpré Award honor book and PNBA winner in 2021. Her middle grade dystopian novel, The Last Cuentista, won the 2022 Newbery Medal and the Pura Belpré Medal.

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "2019 Youth Media Award Winners". American Libraries Magazine. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "Youth Media Awards". I Love Libraries . Retrieved 2019-01-28.
  3. Bluemle, Elizabeth. "Hits, Misses, a Different List, and Some Award Stats | ShelfTalker". blogs.publishersweekly.com. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  4. 1 2 Yorio, Kara (2019-01-29). "Diversity, Debate, and the Magic of Books: A Look at the 2019 Youth Media Awards". School Library Journal . Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  5. Yorio, Kara. "Elizabeth Acevedo and 'The Poet X' Add Printz, Pure Belpré to Awards Collection". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2019-01-29.
  6. Yorio, Kara. "'Hello Lighthouse' Makes Sophie Blackall Two-Time Caldecott Winner". School Library Journal. Retrieved 2019-01-29.