SJSU Research Guides: Children's and Young Adult Literature: Award Winners

Individual Awards

Below are individual links to some of the major American children's and young adult's book awards. Hover your mouse over the link to find out more. Click on the link to be taken to the award's official website. Information on additional awards can be found by clicking the links in the box to the left.

American Indian Youth Literature Award
Presented every two years by the American Indian Library Association to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians.
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
Presented annually by the Asian Pacific American Librarians Association, the award honors and recognizes individual work about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit, and includes categories of Young Adult, Children's, and Picture Book.
Batchelder Award
The Batchelder Award is given to the most outstanding children’s book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States.
Boston Globe - Horn Book Awards
Presented annually, the Boston Globe–Horn Book Awards reward excellence in children’s and young adult literature and are given in three categories: Fiction, Nonfiction, and Picture Book.
Caldecott Medal
A comprehensive list issued by the American Library Association of all the Caldecott Medal and Honor winners from the award's inception in 1938 to the present day.
Carnegie Medal
Established in 1936 in memory of Andrew Carnegie, the Carnegie Medal is awarded annually to the writer of an outstanding book for children.
Coretta Scott King Award
Presented annually to to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture.
Eisner Award - Best Publications for Kids and Teens
The Will Eisner Comic Industry Awards, considered the “Oscars” of the comic book industry, are given out in more than two-dozen categories covering the best publications and creators of the previous year. It has gone through several iterations recognizing publications for kids and teens through the years.
Jane Addams Children's Book Award
Presented annually to children's books that effectively promote the cause of peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and all races, as well as meet conventional standards for excellence.
Kate Greenaway Medal
The CILIP Kate Greenaway Medal, established in 1955, is awarded annually for an outstanding book in terms of illustration for children and young people.
Laura Ingalls Wilder Award
Presented annually to an author or illustrator whose work has, over a number of years, made a lasting contribution to literature for children and young adults.
National Book Award - Young People's Literature
Recognizes the best of American literature to raise the cultural appreciation of great writing, promote the enduring value of reading, and advance the careers of established and emerging writers. From 1969-1983, various NBA children's awards were presented, and in 1996 the current Young People's Literature category was created.
Newbery Medal
A comprehensive list issued by the American Library Association of all of the Newbery Medal and Honor winners from the award's inception in 1922 to the present day.
Odyssey Award
Presented annually to the best audio book for children or young adults.
Printz Award
Presented annually to a book that exemplifies excellence in young adult literature.
Pura Belpre Medal
Presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer or illustrator whose work best portrays the Latino cultural experience in literature for children or teens.
Schneider Family Book Award
The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.
Sibert Award
Presented annually to the author and / or illustrator of the best informational (nonfiction) book for children and youth.
Stonewall Book Awards - Children's and Young Adult Literature
Presented annually to English language works of exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience.

Awards Lists Online

Below are links to comprehensive sources for children's book awards and award winners both internationally and in the United States.

Award Winning Children's book portal
Find out if a children's book is an award winner.
ALA Children's Book Awards
A list, provided by the American Library Association's Association for Library Services to Children (ALSC), of all the major American children's book awards, including links to winners and honors for each award.
Junior Library Guild Awards & Lists
Comprehensive guide that includes state awards, national awards, and outstanding book lists (along with other curated collection lists).