Kids & Parents
Heavy Medal: Youth Media Awards 2019
02.19.19
So is the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Even so, I get very excited at this time of year to learn which authors and illustrators are recognized at the Youth Media Awards.
From left: YALSA President Crystle Martin, Coretta Scott King Chair Claudette McLinn, ALSC President Jamie Campbell Naidoo, ALA President Loida Garcia-Febo, and Reforma President Madeline Pena Feliz at the 2019 ALA Youth Media Awards presentation.
As usual, there were some surprises in who won awards, as well as who didn’t. A few of winners had Chicago settings, so I could really immerse myself in those books.
It was encouraging to see more authors, illustrators and characters that mirror the diversity that makes Des Plaines great.
I’m excited to share some of the award winners with you.
Usually librarians organize lists alphabetically, but I decided to change thing up. My list is in backwards, chronological order.
I hope you are inspired to check out some of the less familiar awards.
You will need to scroll through newer awards to get to the granddaddy of them all—the Newbery Medal.
Fox the Tiger
written and illustrated by Corey R. Tabor
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award for the most distinguished beginning reader book.
Rescue & Jessica: A Life-Changing Friendship
written by Jessica Kensky and Patrick Downes
illustrated by Scott Magoon
Schneider Family Book Award (young children, ages 0 to 10) for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.
The Truth as Told by Mason Buttle
written by Leslie Connor
Schneider Family Book Award (middle grades, ages 11 to 13) for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.
The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian’s Art Changed Science
written by Joyce Sidman
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award for the most distinguished informational book for children.
Front Desk
written by Kelly Yang
Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit for books that promote Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage.
Dreamers
illustrated and written by Yuyi Morales, is the Belpré Illustrator Award winner.
Pura Belpré Award (Illustrator) honoring a Latinx illustrator whose children's book best portrays, affirms and celebrates the Latino cultural experience
The Stuff of Stars
written by Marion Dane Bauer
illustrated by Ekua Holmes
Coretta Scott King (Illustrator) Book Award recognizing an African-American illustrator of outstanding books for children.
Julián Is a Mermaid
written by Jessica Love
Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award given to English-language children’s books of exceptional merit relating to the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience.
A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riot of 1919
written by Claire Hartfield
Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award recognizing an African-American author of outstanding books for children and young adults.
All-of-a-Kind-Family Hanukkah
written by Emily Jenkins
illustrated by Paul Zelinsky
The Sydney Taylor Book Award for outstanding books for children that authentically portray the Jewish experience.
The Fox on the Swing
written by Evelina Daciūtė
illustrated by Aušra Kiudulaitė
translated by The Translation Bureau
Mildred L. Batchelder Award (1966) for an 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.
Hello Lighthouse
illustrated and written by Sophie Blackall
Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Merci Suárez Changes Gears
written by Meg Medina
John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature.