American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards

The American Library Association (ALA) Youth Media Awards recognize the top books, videos and audiobooks for children and young adults. The ALA Youth Media Awards include the prestigious Newbery Medal and Caldecott Medal, and are awarded annually. In addition to the actual award winners themselves, a number of categories also recognize “Honors Books.” The Youth Media Awards are bestowed at the ALA Midwinter Meeting, an important event on the book publishing calendar.

According to the ALA, "Recognized worldwide for the high quality they represent, ALA Youth Media awards guide parents, educators, librarians and others in selecting the best materials for youth. Selected by judging committees of librarians and other children’s experts, the awards encourage original and creative work."

The John Newbery Medal is given to recognize the most distinguished contribution to American children's literature. Read about the history and criteria for the Newbery Medal. In addition to the Newbery Medal winner, Newbery Honor Books are recognized.

Randolph Caldecott Medal winner is awarded to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Read about the Randolph Caldecott Medal. In addition to the Caldecott Medal winner, Caldecott Honor Books are also recognized.

Michael L. Printz Award is given for excellence in literature written for young adults. In addition to the Printz Award winner, Printz Honor Books are also recognized.

Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizes an African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults. In addition to the King Author Awards, King Author Honor Books are also recognized.

Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award recognizes an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults. In addition to the King Illustrator Award winner, King Illustrator Honor Books are also recognized.

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement is given for lifetime achievement in children’s literature, and pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton.

Schneider Family Book Awards recognize books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience. There are three categories of Schneider Family Book Awards, given for books aimed at differing age ranges: Children’s, for children 0 - 8 years of age; Middle School, for kids between the ages of 9 and 13; and Teen, for teenagers from 14 to 18 years old.

Alex Award winners recognize the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences.

The Andrew Carnegie Medal recocognizes excellence in children's video, and is bestowed on children’s video producers.

Margaret A. Edwards Award recognizes lifetime achievement in writing for young adults.

May Hill Arbuthnot Honor Lecture Award recognizes an author, critic, librarian, historian or teacher of children's literature. The May Hill Arbuthnot winner then presents a lecture at a winning host site.

Mildred L. Batchelder Award recognizes an outstanding children's book translated from a foreign language and subsequently published in the United States). In addition to the Mildred L. Batchelder Award winner, Batchelder Honor Books are also recognized.

Odyssey Award is given best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States. In addition to the Odyssey Award winner, Odyssey Honor Books are also recognized.

Pura Belpré (Illustrator) Award honors a Latino illustrator whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. In addition to the Belpré (Illustrator) Award winner, Belpré (Illustrator) Honor Books are also recognized.

Pura Belpré (Author) Award honors a Latino writer whose children's books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience. In addition to the Belpré (Writer) Award winner, Belpré (Writer) Honor Books are also recognized.

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award is bestowed upon the most distinguished informational book for children. In addition to the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award winner, Sibert Honor Books are also recognized.

Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award is given annually to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. In addition to the award winner, honor books are also recognized.

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given for the most distinguished beginning reader book. In addition to the Theodor Seuss Geisel Award winner, honor books are also recognized.

William C. Morris Award is given to recognize a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens; finalists are also recognized.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults, ages 12 – 18, each year; finalists are also recognized.

Read more about children’s book publishing or about other literary awards.

Read the list of 2012 ALA Youth Media Award winners and Honor Books.