The American Library Association announced its 2024 Youth Media Award winners on Monday, including the John Newbery Medal, Caldecott Medal and Coretta Scott King Book Award.
The awards were handed out for the top books, digital media, video and audiobooks for children and young adults.
Here are some highlights:
John Newbery Medal
For the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature
The Eyes and the Impossible by Dave Eggers
The story of a dog named Johannes who lives in an urban park by the sea. Every day he runs through the park, seeing all, missing nothing, and reporting what he sees to the park’s three ancient Bison, the Keepers of the Equilibrium. But the Equilibrium has been disrupted. Mysterious rectangles are hypnotizing Johannes, humans are erecting a strange new building, and an entirely new kind of animal has arrived in the park—and there are hundreds of them. Johannes must run faster, see better, and ultimately do more than run and see—he must liberate those he loves.
Ralph Caldecott Medal
For the most distinguished American picture book for children
Big by Vashti Harrison
This deeply moving story traces a child’s journey to self-love and shows the power of words to both hurt and heal. With spare text and exquisite illustrations, this emotional exploration of being big in a world that prizes small is a tender portrayal of how you can stand out and feel invisible at the same time.
Coretta Scott King Book Award (Illustrator)
An American Story by Kwame Alexander, illustrated by Dare Coulter
From the fireside tales in an African village, through the unspeakable passage across the Atlantic, to the backbreaking work in the fields of the South, this is a story of a people’s struggle and strength, horror and hope. This is the story of American slavery, a testament to the resilience of the African American community.
Coretta Scott King Book Award (Author)
Recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults
Nigeria Jones by Ibi Zoboi
A bold new YA coming-of-age story, which explores race, feminism, and complicated family dynamics.
Michael L. Printz Award
For excellence in literature written for young adults
The Collectors: Stories by M.T. Anderson, e.E. Charlton-Trujillo, A.S. King, David Levithan, Cory McCarthy, Anna-Marie McLemore, G. Neri, Jason Reynolds, Randy Ribay, and Jenny Torres Sanchez
An anthology of ten stories by young adult authors about surprising and unusual collections.
English