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Jan 29, 2019

Beyond Caldecott and Newbery: (Lots) More Book Awards You'll Want to Know About

In the wonderful world of children's literature, there are two annual awards that seem to reign supreme: the Caldecott and Newbery Medals. The Caldecott Medal is given every year to the artist of "the most distinguished American picture book for children" and the Newbery Medal is awarded to the author of "the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children."

At the Library, we like to mark these award winners with a special sticker to make them easier to find. Readers are often encouraged to read one of these award winners for various library challenges or school assignments. While these award winners are probably the best known, there are many other awards given to books you won't want to miss. The Caldecott, Newbery, and other award winners are announced at the Youth Media Awards every winter. The 2019 Awards took place just yesterday, and we're excited to share with you some of the lesser-known award winners. Keep reading to learn more about these awards AND take advantage of the opportunity to suggest more for purchase if you are so inclined. The list is long, so grab your favorite warm beverage and get comfortable!
While we do our best to have the latest and greatest books available in the Library, some fly under the radar. If we currently have the book in our collection, you'll see it linked so that you can read more about it in our catalog and place a hold. After viewing the awards yesterday, we put in orders for a few of the winners, which we'll note. If a book on the list is not currently in our collection or not on-order and you would like the Library to have it, please click here to fill out a Suggestion for Purchase form. 

Caldecott Medal: Hello Lighthouse written and illustrated by Sophie Blackall. Click the link to place a hold!

Newbery Medal: Merci Suárez Changes Gears by Meg Medina. We have this title as a Playaway audiobook! Click the link to place a hold. 

 Coretta Scott King Author Award (recognizing an African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults): A Few Red Drops: The Chicago Race Riots of 1919 by Clare Hartfield. We have ordered this title for our teen collection! Click the link to read a summary. Please call the Information Desk at 440-926-3317 to place a hold.

 Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award (recognizing an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults): The Stuff of Stars, illustrated by Ekua Holmes. We have ordered this title for our children's collection! Click the link to read a summary. Please call the Children's Department at 440-926-3317 ext. 3 to place a hold.  

 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award (established to affirm new talent and to offer visibility to excellence in writing): Monday's Not Coming by Tiffany D. Jackson. Click the title to read a summary. To suggest for purchase, click here. 

 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award (established to affirm new talent and to offer visibility to excellence in illustration): Thank You, Omu! illustrated and written by Oge Mora. We have ordered this title for our children's collection! Click the link to read a summary. Please call the Children's Department at 440-926-3317 ext. 3 to place a hold.  

 Michael L. Printz Award (for excellence in literature written for young adults): The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo. We have this title in our teen collection! Click the link to place a hold.




Schneider Family Book Award (for books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience):
Mildred L. Batchelder Award (outstanding children's book originally published in a language other than English): The Fox on the Swing by Evelina Daciute. Click the link to place a hold!









Pura Belpré Awards (honoring a Latinx writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience):

  • Author Winner: The Poet X by Elizabeth Acevedo.We have this title in our teen collection! Click the link to place a hold.
  • Illustrator Winner: Dreamers illustrated and written by Yuyi Morales. Click the link to place a hold!

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award (most distinguished informational book for children): The Girl Who Drew Butterflies: How Maria Merian's Art Changed Science by Joyce Sidman. We have ordered this title for our children's collection! Click the link to read a summary. Please call the Children's Department at 440-926-3317 ext. 3 to place a hold.







Stonewall Book Award (exceptional merit relating to the LGBT experience): 


  • Children's Winner: Julián is a Mermaid by Jessica Love. Click the link place a hold.  
  • Teen Winner: Hurricane Child by Kheryn Callender. Click the title to read a summary. To suggest for purchase, click here. 
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award (most distinguished beginning reader book): Fox the Tiger by Corey R. Tabor. Click the link to place a hold! 

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults: The Unwanted: Stories of the Syrian Refugees by Don Brown. Click the title to read a summary. To suggest for purchase, click here. 










Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature (promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage): 


Sydney Taylor Book Award (outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience): 



And there you have it! Hopefully you've found some new books to add to your to-be-read list! Happy reading!