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Teaching Materials Center

This guide is starting point for anyone seeking to learn about the resources available in the Teaching Materials Center. This includes: what general resources are available, how to find specific resources, and how to access materials.

Finding Award Winners

This page lists award-winning children and young adult books since 2019. Click on the name of an award listed below to be taken directly to the section for that award on this page.

National Awards

  1. The Caldecott Medal
  2. The Newbery Medal
  3. The Coretta Scott King Awards, including the John Steptoe Award for New Talent
  4. The Pura Belpré Award
  5. The Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature
  6. American Indian Youth Literature Award
  7. The Stonewall Book Award
  8. The Lambda Literary Awards
  9. The Sydney Taylor Book Award
  10. The South Asia Book Award
  11. The Schneider Family Book Awards
  12. The Jane Addams Children's Book Award
  13. The Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature
  14. The William C. Morris Young Adult Debut Award
  15. The Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature
  16. The National Book Awards
  17. The Batchelder Award
  18. The Robert F, Sibert Informational Book Medal
  19. The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
  20. The Odyssey Award
  21. The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

State of Illinois Awards

  1. The Monarch Award: Illinois' K-3 Readers' Choice Award
  2. The Bluestem Award: Illinois' 3-5 Readers' Choice Award
  3. The Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award
  4. The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award

Quick Tip

If you are interested in finding books that have won a given award before 2019, navigate to the page linked for each award to browse all past award-winners. Then, do a title search in the Milner Library catalog of any title that interests you. Make sure to restrict the location to the Teaching Materials Center using the filters on the right of the screen once you have entered the title.

Caldecott Medal

Caldecott MedalThe Randolph Caldecott Medal, often shortened to the Caldecott Medal, is a medal given to "the most distinguished American picture book for children" in a given year. The award is hosted by the Association for Library Service to Children

big by vashti harrison

Big

2024 Medal Winner

hot dog by doug salati

Hot Dog

2023 Medal Winner

Watercress

Watercress

2022 Medal Winner

We Are Water Protectors

We Are Water Protectors

2021 Medal Winner

The Undefeated

The Undefeated

2020 Medal Winner

Hello Lighthouse

2019 Medal Winner

Newbery Medal

The NeNewbery Medalwbery Medal - named for John Newbery - is given annually to the "author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children" by the Association for Library Service to Children. The medal was first awarded in 1922. 

the eyes and the impossible

The Eyes & the Impossible

2024 Medal Winner

freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson

Freewater

2023 Medal Winner

The Last Cuentista

The Last Cuentista

2022 Medal Winner

When You Trap a Tiger

When You Trap a Tiger

2021 Medal Winner

New Kid

New Kid

2020 Medal Winner

Coretta Scott King Awards

Coretta Scott Kind Award

The Coretta Scott King Awards are among 30+ annual Youth Media Awards sponsored by the American Library Association. The purpose of the awards is "to encourage the artistic expression of the African American experience via literature and the graphic arts, including biographical, historical and social history treatments by African American authors and illustrators."

 Nigeria Jones by  Zoboi

Nigeria Jones

2024 Author Award Winner

 An American story by kwame alexander

An American Story

2024 Illustrator Award Winner

there goes the neighborhood

There Goes the Neighborhood

2024 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award

we could fly

We Could Fly

2024 John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award Winner

freewater

Freewater

2023 Author Award Winner

Standing in the Need of Prayer

2023 Illustrator Award Winner

we deserve monuments

We Deserve Monuments

2023 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award Winner

choosing brave

Choosing Brave

2023 John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award Winner

Unspeakable

Unspeakable

2022 Author Award Winner

2022 Illustrator Award Winner

Me (Moth)

Me (Moth)

2022 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award

The Me I Choose to Be

The Me I Choose to Be

2022 John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award

Before the Ever After

Before the Ever After

2021 Author Award Winner

Respect

Respect

2021 Illustrator Award Winner

Legendborn

Legendborn

2021 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award Winner

New Kid

New Kid

2020 Author Award Winner

The Undefeated

The Undefeated

2020 Illustrator Award Winner

Genesis Begins Again

Genesis Begins Again

2020 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award Winner

What Is Given from the Heart

What Is Given from the Heart

2020 John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award Winner

A Few Red Drops

A Few Red Drops

2019 Author Award Winner

The Stuff of Stars

The Stuff of Stars

2019 Illustrator Award Winner

Monday's Not Coming

Monday's Not Coming

2019 John Steptoe New Talent Author Award Winner

Thank You, Omu!

Thank You, Omu!

2019 John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award Winner

Pura Belpré Award

The Pura Belpré Award The Pura Belpré Award was established in 1996 and is presented to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. Up until 2008, it was awarded biennally. It is now awarded annually as part of ALA's Youth Media Awards, and includes both author and illustrator awards. The award is named after Pura Belpré, the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, known for enriching the lives of Puerto Rican children by preserving and disseminating Puerto Rican folklore.

 Mexikid a graphic memoir

Mexikid

2024 Children's Author Award Winner

2024 Illustrator Award Winner

saints of the household

Saints of the Household

2024 Young Adult Author Award Winner

frizzy

Frizzy

2023 Children's Author Award Winner

burn down rise up

Burn Down Rise Up

2023 Young Adult Author Award Winner

where wonder grows

Where Wonder Grows

2023 Illustrator Award Winner

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe

How Moon Fuentez Fell in Love with the Universe

2022 Young Adult Author Award Winner

The Last Cuentista

The Last Cuentista

2022 Children's Author Award Winner

¡Vamos! Let's Cross the Bridge

2022 Illustrator Award

Efrén Divided

Efrén Divided

2021 Author Award Winner

¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat

¡Vamos! Let's Go Eat

2021 Illustrator Award Winner

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe (a Sal and Gabi Novel, Book 1)

Sal and Gabi Break the Universe

2020 Author Award Winner

Dancing Hands

Dancing Hands

2020 Illustrator Award Winner

The Poet X

The Poet X

2019 Author Award Winner

Dreamers

Dreamers

2019 Illustrator Award Winner

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature

2019 Asian/Pacific American Award"The goal of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature is to honor and recognize individual work about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit." Awards are given for a picture book winner, children's literature winner, and youth literature winner.

the truth about dragons

The Truth About Dragons

2024 Picture Book Award Winner

ruby lost and found

Ruby Lost and Found

2024 Children's Literature Award Winner

id rather burn than bloom

I'd Rather Burn Than Bloom

2024 Youth Literature Award Winner

from the tops of the trees by kao kalia yang

From the Tops of the Trees

2023 Picture Book Award Winner

maizy chen's last chance

Maizy Chen's Last Chance

2023 Children's Literature Award Winner

himawari house

Himawari House

2023 Youth Literature Award Winner

Watercress

Watercress

2022 Picture Book Award Winner

Amina's Song

Amina's Song

2022 Children's Literature Award Winner

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

2022 Youth Literature Award Winner

When You Trap a Tiger

When You Trap a Tiger

2021 Children's Literature Award Winner

This Light Between Us: a Novel of World War II

This Light Between Us: a Novel of World War II

2021 Youth Literature Award Winner

Queen of Physics

Queen of Physics

2020 Picture Book Award Winner

Stargazing

Stargazing

2020 Children's Literature Award Winner

They Called Us Enemy

They Called Us Enemy

2020 Youth Literature Award Winner

Drawn Together

Drawn Together

2019 Picture Book Award Winner

Front Desk

Front Desk

2019 Children's Literature Award Winner

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

Darius the Great Is Not Okay

2019 Youth Literature Award Winner

American Indian Youth Literature Awards

American Indian Youth Literature Award" Awarded biennially, the [American Indian Youth Literature Award] AIYLA identifies and honors the very best writing and illustrations by Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America. Books selected to receive the award present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity. In odd-numbered years, nominations are encouraged in fiction or nonfiction and may include graphic novels; for picture books, the award is for both author and illustrator. Awards are granted in even-numbered years. Authors/illustrators may win the American Indian Youth Literature Award in the categories Best Picture Book, Best Middle Grade Book, and Best Young Adult Book."

forever cousins

Forever Cousins

2024 Picture Book Award Winner

we still belong

We Still Belong

2024 Middle School Award Winner

rez ball

Rez Ball

2024 Young Adult Award Winner

Herizon

Herizon

2022 Picture Book Award Winner

Healer of the Water Monster

Healer of the Water Monster

2022 Middle School Award Winner

Apple: Skin to the Core

Apple: Skin to the Core


2022 Young Adult Award Winner

Bowwow Powwow

Bowwow Powwow

2020 Picture Book Award Winner

Indian No More

Indian No More

2020 Middle School Award Winner

Hearts Unbroken

Hearts Unbroken

2020 Young Adult Award Winner

Stonewall Book Award

Stonewall Book Award

The Stonewall Book Award is a set of three literary awards that annually recognize "exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience" in English-language books published in the U.S. Of these awards, the Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award Winners are collected for the TMC.

cross my heart and never lie

Cross My Heart and Never Lie

2024 Children's Literature Award Winner

only this beautiful moment

Only This Beautiful Moment

2024 Young Adult Award Winner

love violet

Love, Violet

2023 Children's Literature Award Winner

when angels left the old country

When Angels Left the Old Country

2023 Young Adult Award Winner

Too Bright to See

Too Bright to See

2022 Children's Literature Award Winner

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

2022 Young Adult Literature Award Winner

We Are Little Feminists

We Are Little Feminists

2021 Children's & Young Adult Literature Award Winner

When Aidan Became a Brother

When Aidan Became a Brother

2020 Children’s Literature Award Winner

The Black Flamingo

2020 Young Adult Literature Award Winner

Julián Is a Mermaid

Julián Is a Mermaid

2019 Children's Literature Award Winner

Hurricane Child

Hurricane Child

2019 Young Adult Literature Award Winner

Lambda Literary Awards

Lambda Literary Award"For over 30 years, the Lambda Literary Awards (or “Lammys”) have maintained a proud tradition of celebrating vibrant, dynamic LGBTQ storytelling...Today, the Lammys celebrate more than 150 LGBTQ writers across 24 categories..." The Young Adult and Children's/Middle Grade categories were added in 2021. 

the apartment house on poppy hill

The Apartment House on Poppy Hill

2024 LGBTQ+ Children's Award Winner

dear mothman

Dear Mothman

2024 LGBTQ+ Middle Grade Award Winner

only this beautiful moment

Only This Beautiful Moment

2024 LGBTQ+ Young Adult Winner

nikhil out loud

Nikhil Out Loud

2023 LGBTQ Children's/Middle Grade Award Winner

The lesbiana's guide to Catholic school

The Lesbiana's Guide to Catholic School

2023 LGBTQ Young Adult Award Winner

Calvin

Calvin

2022 LGBTQ Children's/Middle Grade Award Winner

The Heartbreak Bakery

The Heartbreak Bakery

2022 LGBTQ Young Adult Award Winner

King and the Dragonflies

King and the Dragonflies

2021 LGBTQ Children's/Middle Grade Award Winner

Flamer

2021 LGBTQ Young Adult Award Winner

Sydney Taylor Book Award

Sydney Taylor Book Award"The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. Presented by the Association of Jewish Libraries since 1968, the award encourages the publication and widespread use of quality Judaic literature. Gold medals are presented in three categories: Picture Books, Middle Grade, and Young Adult."

two new years

Two New Years

2024 Picture Book Award Winner

the dubious pranks of shaindy goodman

The Dubious Pranks of Shaindy Goodman

2024 Middle Grade Award Winner

the blood years

The Blood Years

2024 Young Adult Award Winner

tower of life

The Tower of Life

2023 Picture Book Award Winner

aviva vs the dybbuck

Aviva vs. the Dybbuk

2023 Middle Grade Award Winner

When the angels left the old country

When the Angels Left the Old Country

2023 Young Adult Award Winner

The Passover Guest

The Passover Guest

2022 Picture Book Award Winner

How to Find What You're Not Looking For

How to Find What You're Not Looking For

2022 Middle Grade Award Winner

The City Beautiful

The City Beautiful

2022 Young Adult Award Winner

Welcoming Elijah

Welcoming Elijah

2021 Picture Book Award Winner

Turtle Boy

Turtle Boy

2021 Middle Grade Award Winner

Dancing at the Pity Party

Dancing at the Pity Party

2021 Young Adult Award Winner

The Book Rescuer

The Book Rescuer

2020 Picture Book Award Winner

White Bird: a Wonder Story

White Bird: a Wonder Story

2020 Middle Grade Award Winner

Someday We Will Fly

Someday We Will Fly

2020 Young Adult Award Winner

All-Of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

All-Of-a-Kind Family Hanukkah

2019 Younger Readers Award Winner

Sweep

Sweep

2019 Older Readers Award Winner

What the Night Sings

What the Night Sings

2019 Teen Readers Award Winner

South Asia Book Award

South Asia Book AwardThe South Asia Book Award seeks to highlight outstanding literature for children and young adults that, "portray South Asia or South Asians living abroad." The award began in 2021. 

moon from dehradun

Moon from Dehradun

2023 Young Readers Award Winner

thirst

Thirst

2023 Middle Grade Award Winner

american fever

American Fever

2023 Young Adult Award Winner

dancing in thathas footsteps

Dancing in Thatha's Footsteps

2022 Young Readers Award Winner

The Marvelous Mirza Girls

The Marvelous Mirza Girls

2022 Young Adult Award Winner

Born Behind Bars

Born Behind Bars

2022 Middle Grade Award Winner

A Gift for Amma

A Gift for Amma

2021 Young Readers Award Winner

Crossing the Farak River

Crossing the Farak River

2021 Young Adult Award Winner

Priya Dreams of Marigolds and Masala

Priya Dreams of Marigolds and Masala

2020 Young Readers Award Winner

The Bridge Home

The Bridge Home

2020 Middle Grade Award Winner

Forward Me Back to You

Forward Me Back to You

2020 Young Adult Award Winner

The Secret Kingdom

The Secret Kingdom

2019 Picture Book Award Winner

Amal Unbound

Amal Unbound

2019 Young Adult Award Winner

Schneider Family Book Awards

TSchneider Family Book Awardhe 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." Awards and Honors are presented in three categories: Teen, Middle School, and Young Children's.

henry like always

Henry Like Always

2024 Young Children Award Winner

the fire the water and maudie mcginn

The Fire, the Water, and Maudie McGinn

2024 Middle Grade Award Winner

forever is now

Forever Is Now

2024 Teen Award Winner

wildoak

Wildoak

2023 Middle Grade Award Winner

the words we keep

The Words We Keep

2023 Teen Award Winner

My City Speaks

My City Speaks

2022 Young Children Award Winner

A Bird Will Soar

A Bird Will Soar

2022 Middle Grade Award Winner

The Words in My Hands

The Words in My Hands

2022 Teen Award Winner

I Talk Like a River

I Talk Like a River

2021 Young Children Award Winner

Show Me a Sign

Show Me a Sign

2021 Middle Grade Award Winner

This Is My Brain in Love

This Is My Brain in Love

2021 Teen Award Winner

Just Ask!

Just Ask!

2020 Young Children Award Winner

Song for a Whale

Song for a Whale

2020 Middle Grade Award Winner

Cursed

Cursed

2020 Teen Award Winner

Rescue and Jessica

Rescue and Jessica

2019 Young Children Award Winner

The Truth As Told by Mason Buttle

The Truth As Told by Mason Buttle

2019 Middle Grade Award Winner

Anger Is a Gift

Anger Is a Gift

2019 Teen Award Winner

Jane Addams Children's Book Award

Jane Addams Children's Book Award"The Jane Addams Children’s Book Award annually recognizes children’s books of literary and aesthetic excellence that effectively engage children in thinking about peace, social justice, global community, and equity for all people. A national committee of members with passion for and expertise in children’s literature and social justice is responsible for making the choices each year."

 A song for the unsung

A Song for the Unsung : Bayard Rustin

2024 Books for Younger Children Award Winner

the lost year

The Lost Year

2024 Books for Older Children Award Winner

choosing brave

Choosing Brave

2023 Books for Younger Children Award Winner

undercover latina

Undercover Latina

2023 Books for Older Children Award Winner

Shirley Chisholm Dared

Shirley Chisholm Dared

2022 Books for Younger Children Award Winner

How to Find What You're Not Looking For

How to Find What You're Not Looking For

2022 Books for Older Children Award Winner

A Wish in the Dark

A Wish in the Dark

2020/2021 Books for Older Children Award Winner

We Are Water Protectors

We Are Water Protectors

2020/2021 Books for Younger Children Award Winner

Ghost Boys

Ghost Boys

2019 Books for Older Children Award Winner

The Day You Begin

The Day You Begin

2019 Books for Younger Children Award Winner

Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature

Michael L. Printz AwardThe Michael L. Printz Award, "honors the best book written for teens, based entirely on its literary merit, each year. In addition, the Printz Committee names up to four honor books, which also represent the best writing in young adult literature."

the collectors: stories

The Collectors: Stories

2024 Award Winner

all my rage by sabaa tahir

All My Rage

2023 Award Winner

Firekeeper's Daughter

Firekeeper's Daughter

2022 Award Winner

Everything Sad Is Untrue

Everything Sad Is Untrue

2021 Award Winner

Dig

Dig

2020 Award Winner

The Poet X

The Poet X

2019 Award Winner

William C. Morris Young Adult Debut Award

Morris Winner SealThe William C. Morris Award, "honors a book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature... The award's namesake is William C. Morris, an influential innovator in the publishing world and an advocate for marketing books for children and young adults."

Walter Dean Myers Award for Outstanding Children’s Literature

The Walter Award"The Walter Dean Myers Awards for Outstanding Children's Literature recognize diverse authors whose works feature diverse main characters and address diversity in a meaningful way...Inaugurated in 2016, the 2016 and 2017 Walter Awards and Honor Books represented young adult titles only. In 2018, the Walters expanded into two categories: Teen (ages 13-18) and Younger Readers (ages 9-13). One Walter Award is given in each category; one or two titles are also named Honor Books in each category."

remember us

Remember Us

2024 Younger Readers Category Award Winner

saints of the household

Saints of the Household

2024 Teen Category Award Winner

choosing brave

Choosing Brave

2023 Younger Readers Category Award Winner

man made monsters by andrea rogers

Man Made Monsters

2023 Teen Category Award Winner

Firekeeper's Daughter

Firekeeper's Daughter

2022 Teen Category Award Winner

Red, White, and Whole

Red, White, and Whole

2022 Younger Readers Category Award Winner

Punching the Air

Punching the Air

2021 Teen Category Award Winner

When Stars Are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered

2021 Younger Readers Category Award Winner

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up with Me

Laura Dean Keeps Breaking up with Me

2020 Teen Category Award Winner

The Bridge Home

The Bridge Home

2020 Younger Readers Category Award Winner

The Poet X

The Poet X

2019 Teen Category Award Winner

Ghost Boys

Ghost Boys

2019 Younger Readers Category Award Winner

National Book Awards

National Book Awards"Established in 1950, the National Book Awards are American literary prizes administered by the National Book Foundation, a nonprofit organization... Although other categories have been recognized in the past, the Awards currently honor the best Fiction, Nonfiction, Poetry, Translated Literature, and Young People’s Literature, published each year." Award Winners for Young People's Literature will be included here. 

a first time for everything

A First Time for Everything

2023 Young People's Literature Award Winner

All My Rage

All My Rage

2022 Young People's Literature Award Winner

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

Last Night at the Telegraph Club

2021 Young People's Literature Award Winner

King and the Dragonflies

King and the Dragonflies

2020 Young People's Literature Award Winner

1919 the Year That Changed America

1919 the Year That Changed America

2019 Young People's Literature Award Winner

Batchelder Award

Batchelder AwardThe Mildred L. Batchelder Award, "...is awarded to a United States publisher for a children’s book considered to be the most outstanding of those books originating in a country other than the United States and in a language other than English and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States during the preceding year."

houses with a story

Houses with a Story

2024 Award Winner

Temple Alley Summer

Temple Alley Summer

2022 Award Winner

Telephone Tales

Telephone Tales

2021 Award Winner

Brown

Brown

2020 Award Winner

The Fox on the Swing

2019 Award Winner

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal

Robert F. Sibert Award"The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year. The award is named in honor of Robert F. Sibert, the long-time President of Bound to Stay Bound Books, Inc. of Jacksonville, Illinois. ALSC administers the award."

mona lisa vanishes

The Mona Lisa Vanishes

2024 Award Winner

Seen and Unseen

Seen and Unseen

2023 Award Winner

The People's Painter

The People's Painter

2022 Award Winner

Honeybee

Honeybee

2021 Award Winner

Fry Bread

Fry Bread

2020 Award Winner

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults"YALSA's Award for Excellence in Nonfiction honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18) during a Nov. 1 – Oct. 31 publishing year."

Accountable: The True Story of a Racist Social Media Account and the Teenagers Whose Lives It

Accountable

2024 Award Winner

Free Lunch

Free Lunch

2020 Award Winner

The Unwanted

The Unwanted

2019 Award Winner

Ambushed!

Ambushed!

2022 Award Winner

Odyssey Award

Image result for Odyssey awardThe Odyssey Award, "will be given to the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States.  The selection committee may also select honor titles. The Odyssey Award is jointly given and administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) and the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), divisions of ALA, and is sponsored by Booklist."

el deafo

El Deafo

2024 Children's Award Winner

promise boys

Promise Boys

2024 Young Adult Award Winner

stunt boy

Stuntboy

2023 Children's Award Winner

the honeys by ryan la sala

The Honeys

2023 Young Adult Award Winner

Boogie Boogie, Y'all

Boogie Boogie, Y'all

2022 Children's Award Winner

When You Look Like Us

When You Look Like Us

2022 Young Adult Award Winner

Kent State

Kent State

2021 Award Winner

Hey, Kiddo

2020 Award Winner

Sadie

2019 Award Winner

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award"The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.   The winner(s), recognized for their literary and artistic achievements that demonstrate creativity and imagination to engage children in reading, receives a bronze medal."

fox has a problem

Fox Has a Problem

2024 Award Winner

i did it by Michael Emberley

I Did It!

2023 Award Winner

Fox at Night

Fox at Night

2022 Award Winner

Stop! Bot!

Stop! Bot!

2020 Award Winner

Fox the Tiger

Fox the Tiger

2019 Award Winner

The Monarch Award: Illinois' K-3 Readers' Choice Award

Monarch LogoThe Monarch award is an annual book award given annually to books voted for by Kindergarten-third graders in the state of Illinois.  The award aims to, "encourage children to read critically and become familiar with children's books, authors and illustrators."

chez bob

Chez Bob

2024 Award Winner

are you a cheeseburger

Are You a Cheeseburger

2023 Award Winner

Potato Pants!

Potato Pants!

2022 Award Winner

Can I Be Your Dog?

Can I Be Your Dog?

2021 Award Winner

Baby Monkey, Private Eye

Baby Monkey, Private Eye

2020 Award Winner

Creepy Pair of Underwear!

Creepy Pair of Underwear!

2019 Award Winner

The Bluestem Award: Illinois' Grades 3-5 Readers' Choice Award

Bluestem LogoThe Bluestem award is an annual book award given annually to books voted for by third-fifth graders in the state of Illinois. According to AISLE, "The award is designed for students in grades 3-5 who are ready for longer titles than found on the Monarch list, but not quite ready for the sophistication of some of the Rebecca Caudill titles. Named in honor of Big Bluestem which is the state prairie grass, the award may include both timeless classics and current titles, as well as books that have appeared on Monarch and Rebecca Caudill lists."

allergic

Allergic

2024 Award Winner

twins

Twins

2023 Award Winner

Does It Fart?

Does It Fart?

2022 Award Winner

Wedgie and Gizmo

2021 Award Winner

Real Friends

2020 Award Winner

Wish

Wish

2019 Award Winner

Lincoln Award: Illinois Teen Readers' Choice Award

Lincoln LogoThe Lincoln award is an annual state book award selected by students. Teens across the state of Illinois who have read at least four of the books nominated by educational and literacy professionals across the state vote for their preferred title every year. 

youd be home now

You'd Be Home Now

2024 Award Winner

the loop

The Loop

2023 Award Winner

The Inheritance Games

The Inheritance Games

2022 Award Winner

Truly Devious

Truly Devious

2021 Award Winner

They Both Die at the End

They Both Die at the End

2020 Award Winner

The Hate U Give

The Hate U Give

2019 Award Winner

The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award

Award logoAccording to AISLE, "The Rebecca Caudill Young Readers' Book Award is an annual award given to the author of the book voted most outstanding by students in grades four through eight in participating Illinois schools. The award is named in honor of Rebecca Caudill who lived and wrote in Urbana, Illinois, for nearly 50 years. The award is given in recognition for her literary talent and the universal appeal of her books which have touched the hearts of many children and young adults.

Alone

Alone

2024 Award Winner

When Stars Are Scattered

When Stars Are Scattered

2023 Award Winner

Front Desk

Front Desk

2021 Award Winner

Refugee

2020 Award Winner

Ghost

Ghost

2019 Award Winner

Other Awards

There are a lot of book awards for children and young adult literature. Many are listed on this page, but some are currently omitted simply because there are so many. If you'd like to see an award added to this page, let me know by emailing me at cjstew1@ilstu.edu. If the award meets the requirements for inclusion then I will add it on.