2022 ALA YMA Award Winners
The 2022 ALA Youth Media Awards were this morning, and we are so excited to announce that 53 distinct JLG Gold Standard Selections were recognized for 64 various accolades. Being recognized at the Youth Media Awards is a huge honor, and we are so proud of all the authors and illustrators who were awarded today. JLG members can get these award-winning titles today for just $12 each here.
If you are looking to keep your collection updated and ahead of the curve with future award-winning books, JLG is here to help! Our editorial team spends the entire year selecting the top and most influential books in children’s literature, and making them affordable and accessible for you. Learn more about the services we offer on our website.
Here is a full run down of the winner(s) for each award. HIghlighted titles are JLG Gold Standard Selections.
Alex Awards
“Light from Uncommon Stars,” by Ryka Aoki
“The One Hundred Years of Lenni and Margot,” by Marianne Cronin
“The Witch’s Heart,” by Genevieve Gornichec
“The Library of the Dead,” by T.L Huchu
“How Lucky,” by Will Leitch
“Winter’s Orbit,” by Everina Maxwell
“The Rose Code,” by Kate Quinn
“Crossing the Line: A Fearless Team of Brothers and the Sport That Changed Their Lives Forever,” by Kareem Rosser
“Lore Olympus, Vol. 1,” by Rachel Smythe
“Malice,” by Heather Walter
American Indian Youth Literature Awards
Picture Book
Winner
“Herizon,” written by Daniel W. Vandever [Diné], illustrated by Corey Begay [Diné]
Honors
"Diné Bich’eekę Yishłeeh [Diné Bizaad]/Becoming Miss Navajo [English]," by Jolyana Begay-Kroupa [Diné] and designed by Corey Begay [Diné]
"Classified: The Secret Career of Mary Gold Ross, Cherokee Aerospace Engineer," by Traci Sorell [Cherokee], illustrated by Natasha Donovan [Métis]
"Learning My Rights with Mousewoman," written and illustrated by Morgan Asoyuf [Ts’msyen]
"I Sang You Down from the Stars," written by Tasha Spillet-Sumner [Cree and Trinidadian], illustrated by Michaela Goade [Tlingit & Haida]
"We Are Still Here! Native American Truths Everyone Should Know," written by Traci Sorell [Cherokee], illustrated by Frané Lessac
Middle Grade
Winner
“Healer of the Water Monster,” written by Brian Young [Diné], cover art by Shonto Begay [Diné]
Honors
"Ella Cara Deloria: Dakota Language Protector," written by Diane Wilson [Dakota] and illustrated by Tashia Hart [Red Lake Anishinaabe]
"Indigenous Peoples’ Day," written by Katrina M. Phillips [Red Cliff Band of Lake Superior Ojibwe], illustrated by Tashia Hart [Red Lake Anishinaabe]
"Jo Jo Makoons: The Used-to-Be Best Friend," by Dawn Quigley [Turtle Mountain Band of Ojibwe], illustrated by Tara Audibert [Wolastoqey]
"Peggy Flanagan: Ogimaa Kwe, Lieutenant Governor," written by Jessica Engelking [White Earth Band of Ojibwe], illustrated by Tashia Hart [Red Lake Anishinaabe]
“The Sea in Winter,” by Christine Day [Upper Skagit], cover art by Michaela Goade [Tlingit and Haida]
Young Adult
Winner
“Apple (Skin to the Core),” written by Eric Gansworth [Onondaga], cover art by Filip Peraić
Honors
"Elatsoe," by Darcie Little Badger [Lipan Apache Tribe], cover art and illustrations by Rovina Cai
"Firekeeper’s Daughter," by Angeline Boulley [Sault Ste. Marie Tribe of Chippewa Indians], cover art by Moses Lunham [Ojibway and Chippewa]
"Hunting by Stars," by Cherie Dimaline [Métis Nation of Ontario], cover art by Stephen Gladue [Fishing Lake Métis Settlement]
"Notable Native People: 50 Indigenous Leaders, Dreamers, and Changemakers from Past and Present," written by Adrienne Keene [Cherokee Nation]illustrated by Ciara Sana [Chamoru]
"Soldiers Unknown," by Chag Lowry [Yurok, Maidu and Achumawi], illustrated by Rahsan Ekedal and published by Great Oak Press.
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
Picture Book
Winner
“Watercress,” written by Andrea Wang, illustrated by Jason Chin
Honor
“A Boy Named Isamu: A Story of Isamu Noguchi” written and illustrated by James Yang
Children’s Literature
Winner
“Amina’s Song," written by Hena Khan
Honor
“Finding Junie Kim,” written by Ellen Oh
Youth Literature
Winner
“Last Night at the Telegraph Club,” written by Malinda Lo
Honor
“We Are Not Free,” written by Traci Chee
Children’s Literature Legacy Award
The 2022 winner is Grace Lin. Since the publication of her first book, “The Ugly Vegetables,” in 1999, Lin has written and/or illustrated more than 40 books for children, including collaborations with other authors.
Coretta Scott King Author Book Award
Winner
“Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre,” written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Honors
"Home Is Not a Country," written by Safia Elhillo
"Revolution in Our Time," written by Kekla Magoon
"The People Remember," written by Ibi Zoboi, illustrated by Loveis Wise
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Book Award
Winner
“Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre,” illustrated by Floyd Cooper, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
Honors
"Nina: A Story of Nina Simone," illustrated by Christian Robinson, written by Traci N. Todd*
"We Wait for the Sun," illustrated by Raissa Figueroa, written by Dovey Johnson Roundtree & Katie McCabe
"Soul Food Sunday," illustrated by C.G. Esperanza, written by Winsome Bingham
Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent
Author Award
"Me (Moth)," written by Amber McBride
Illustrator Award
“The Me I Choose to Be,” illustrated by Regis and Kahran Bethencourt, written by Natasha Anastasia Tarpley
Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement:
Nikki Grimes is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. After more than 77 books, she has sealed her legacy by weaving poetry and novels in verse into an impressive body of work.
Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award
Winner
“Alma’s Way,” produced by Fred Rogers Productions
Honors
"Goodnight, World!" produced by Sesame Workshop and Headspace
“Tab Time,” produced by Kids at Play and Scale Productions
John Newbery Medal
Winner
“The Last Cuentista,” written by Donna Barba Higuera
Honors
“Red, White, and Whole,” written by Rajani LaRocca
“A Snake Falls to Earth,” written by Darcie Little Badger
“Too Bright to See,” written by Kyle Lukoff
“Watercress,” written by Andrea Wang and illustrated by Jason Chin
Margaret A. Edwards Award
“SW/TCH,”
“Still Life with Tornado,”
“Ask the Passengers,”
“Glory O’Brien’s History of the Future” and
"Please Ignore Vera Dietz," among other titles.
Michael L. Printz Award
Winner
“Firekeeper’s Daughter,” written by Angeline Boulley
Honors
“Concrete Rose,” written by Angie Thomas
“Last Night at the Telegraph Club,” written by Malinda Lo
“Revolution in Our Time: The Black Panther Party’s Promise to the People,” written by Kekla Magoon
“Starfish,” written by Lisa Fipps
Mildred L. Batchelder Awards
Winner
“Temple Alley Summer,” originally published in Japanese as “Kimyōji Yokochō no Natsu,” the book was written by Sachiko Kashiwaba, illustrated by Miho Satake, translated by Avery Fischer Udagawa
Honors
“Coffee, Rabbit, Snowdrop, Lost,” written by Betina Birkjær, illustrated by Anna Margrethe Kjærgaard and translated by Sinéad Quirke Køngerskov
“In the Meadow of Fantasies," written by Hadi Mohammadi, illustrated by Nooshin Safakhoo and translated by Sara Khalili
“The Most Beautiful Story,” written by Brynjulf Jung Tjønn, illustrated by Øyvind Torseter and translated by Kari Dickson
“Sato the Rabbit,” written and illustrated by Yuki Ainoya and translated by Michael Blaskowsky
“The Sea-Ringed World: Sacred Stories of the Americas,” written by María García Esperón, illustrated by Amanda Mijangos and translated by David Bowles
Pura Belpré Awards
Youth Illustration Award
Winner
“¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge,” illustrated by Raúl Gonzalez
Honors
"Boogie Boogie, Y’all," illustrated and written by C. G. Esperanza
"Bright Star," illustrated and written by Yuyi Morales
"De aquí como el coquí,” illustrated and written by Nomar Perez, translated by Farah Perez and published by Dial Books for Young Readers
"May Your Life Be Deliciosa," illustrated by Loris Lora, written by Michael Genhart
Children’s Author Award
Winner
"The Last Cuentista,” written by Donna Barba Higuera
Honors
"Barefoot Dreams of Petra Luna," written by Alda P. Dobbs
"Child of the Flower-Song People: Luz Jiménez, Daughter of the Nahua," written by Gloria Amescua, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh
"De aquí como el coquí,” written and illustrated by Nomar Perez, translated by Farah Perez
Young Adult Author Award
Winner
"How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe,” written by Raquel Vasquez Gilliland
Honors
“Fifteen Hundred Miles from the Sun," written by Jonny Garza Villa
"Somewhere Between Bitter and Sweet," written by Laekan Zea Kemp
"Where I Belong," written by Marcia Argueta Mickelson
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
Winner
“The People’s Painter: How Ben Shahn Fought for Justice with Art,” written by Cynthia Levinson and illustrated by Evan Turk
Honors
"The Great Stink: How Joseph Bazalgette Solved London’s Poop Pollution Problem," written by Colleen Paeff, illustrated by Nancy Carpenter
"Fallout: Spies, Superbombs, and the Ultimate Cold War Showdown," written by Steve Sheinkin
"We Are Still Here!: Native American Truths Everyone Should Know," written by Traci Sorell, illustrated by Frané Lessac
"Summertime Sleepers: Animals That Estivate," written by Melissa Stewart and illustrated by Sarah S. Brannen
"Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre," written by Carole Boston Weatherford and illustrated by Floyd Cooper
Schneider Family Book Award
Young Children
Winner
“My City Speaks,” written by Darren Lebeuf, illustrated by Ashley Barron
Honors
“A Walk in the Words,” written and illustrated by Hudson Talbott
“A Sky-Blue Bench,” written by Bahram Rahman, illustrated by Peggy Collins
Middle Grade
Winner
“A Bird Will Soar,” written by Alison Green Myers
Honors
“Stuntboy, in the Meantime,” written by Jason Reynolds, illustrated by Raúl the Third
“A Kind of Spark,” written by Elle McNicoll
Teens
Winner
“Words in My Hands,” written and illustrated by Asphyxia
Honors
“A Face for Picasso: Coming of Age with Crouzon Syndrome,” written by Ariel Henley
Odyssey Award
Winners
“Boogie Boogie, Y'all,” produced by HarperAudio / Katherine Tegen Books, written and narrated by C. G. Esperanza
“When You Look Like Us,” produced by HarperAudio / Quill Tree Books, written by Pamela N. Harris and narrated by Preston Butler III
Honors
"Emmanuel’s Dream: The True Story of Emmanuel Ofosu Yeboah," produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, written by Laurie Ann Thompson and narrated by Adjoa Andoh;
"I Talk Like a River," produced by Dreamscape Media, written and narrated by Jordan Scott
"Perfectly Parvin," produced by Listening Library, an imprint of Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, written by Olivia Abtahi and narrated by Mitra Jouhari
Randolph Caldecott Medal
“Watercress,” illustrated by Jason Chin, is the 2022 Caldecott Medal winner. The book was written by Andrea Wang
Honors
“Have You Ever Seen a Flower?” illustrated and written by Shawn Harris
“Mel Fell,” illustrated and written by Corey R. Tabor
“Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre,” illustrated by Floyd Cooper, written by Carole Boston Weatherford
“Wonder Walkers,” illustrated and written by Micha Archer
Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award
Winner
Children’s Literature Award
“Too Bright to See," written by Kyle Lukoff
Young Adult Literature Award
“Last Night at the Telegraph Club," written by Malinda Lo
Honors
“Almost Flying," written by Jake Maia Arlow
“The Darkness Outside Us," written by Eliot Schrefer
"Grandad’s Camper," written and illustrated by Harry Woodgate
Sydney Taylor Book Award
Picture Book
Gold Medal
“The Passover Guest,” by Susan Kusel illustrated by Sean Rubin
Silver Medal
“Nicky & Vera: A Quiet Hero of the Holocaust and the Children He Rescued,” written and illustrated by Peter Sis
“Dear Mr. Dickens,” by Nancy Churnin, illustrated by Bethany Stancliffe
“The Christmas Mitzvah,” by Jeff Gottesfeld, illustrated by Michelle Laurentia Agatha
Middle Grade
Gold Medal
“How to Find What You’re Not Looking For,” by Veera Hiranandani
Silver Medal
“The Genius Under the Table: Growing up Behind the Iron Curtain,” written and illustrated by Eugene Yelchin
“Linked,” written by Gordon Korman*
Young Adult
Gold Medal
“The City Beautiful,” by Aden Polydoros
Silver Medal
“The Last Words We Said,” written by Leah Scheier
“Whistle: A New Gotham City Hero,” by E. Lockhart, illustrated by Manuel Preitano
“The Summer of Lost Letters,” written by Hannah Reynolds
Sydbet Taylor Body-of-Work Award
Jane Yolen
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
Winner
“Fox at Night,” written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor
Honor
"Beak & Ally #1: Unlikely Friends," written and illustrated by Norm Feuti
“I Hop," written and illustrated by Joe Cepeda
"Nothing Fits a Dinosaur," written and illustrated by Jonathan Fenske
William C. Morris Award
Winner
“Firekeeper’s Daughter,” written by Angeline Boulley, is the 2022 Morris Award winner. The book is published by Henry Holt and Company
Finalists
“Ace of Spades,” written by Faridah Àbíké- Íyímídé
“Vampires, Hearts & Other Dead Things,” written by Margie Fuston
“Me (Moth),” written by Amber McBride
“What Beauty There Is,” written by Cory Anderson
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
Winner
“Ambushed!: The Assassination Plot Against President Garfield,” written by Gail Jarrow
Finalists
“Black Birds in the Sky: The Story and Legacy of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre,” written by Brandy Colbert
“From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement,” written by Paula Yoo
“In the Shadow of the Fallen Towers: The Seconds, Minutes, Hours, Days, Weeks, Months and Years after the 9/11 Attacks,” written and illustrated by Don Brown
“The Woman All Spies Fear: Code Breaker Elizebeth Smith Friedman and Her Hidden Life,” written by Amy Butler Greenfield
