Congratulations to the 2025 ALA Award Winners

From the 2018 Newbery award-winning author Erin Entrada Kelly (Hello, Universe) comes another unforgettable cast of characters, this time with a time-traveling twist. This is a story about family, friends and the way the world changes in the blink of an eye.

Sissy’s younger brother gets away with everything — and she’s tired of it! When Sissy finally snaps on Chooch, they’re both in for a lesson about patience, grace, love and culture. This is a funny and heartwarming story that anyone with siblings will relate to.

Jason Reynolds (Long Way Down, Stamped) gives us a hilarious and honest portrayal of a teenage boy’s mind — before one of life’s biggest (and most nerve-wracking) firsts. Neon can play it cool, right…? Incisive, hilarious, honest, authentic, important — the list of adjectives for this book is unwieldy. Above all else, this is a thoughtful and necessary story about teenage life.

A vibrant story on horseback following a young girl’s journey through her neighborhood with her father. Stephanie Seale’s electric prose combined with C.G. Esperanza’s stunning illustrations bring readers a dazzling story of Black joy, parenthood and community.

Kwame didn’t expect to go on a death-defying journey with the grandmother he isn’t ready to lose, but that’s not even the hardest part. This is a rip-roaring adventure detailing bravery of all types.

Read more from Craig Kofi Farmer in his exclusive B&N Reads guest post.

Introduce young readers to the indelible life and work of James Baldwin through Jamiel Law’s elegant illustrations and Michelle Meadows’ poetic prose. Detailing Baldwin’s childhood in Harlem to growing into a writer in adulthood to his Civil Rights activism and beyond, this is a must-read for any age.

Almudena has always lived between two identities, two races, two totally different worlds. When her mom leaves her at her estranged father’s house for the summer, she must navigate a heritage (and language) she’s never felt apart of. Sharp, vibrant and richly illustrated, Brownstone is a story about community, culture and family.

Indu has never felt right on Earth, and he’s harboring one huge secret: he’s from the moon. With a busy mom, a crush he can’t stop thinking about and the impossible task of making new friends at school, Indu doesn’t know if he’ll ever be able to fit in. A searing coming-of-age story paired with stunning illustrations, this is an unforgettable book about identity, hope and home.

After the devastating loss of his abuelo, a young Mariachi star competes for center stage at a brand-new school with an unexpected rival. A glittering love letter to Mexico and a story about growing up in an ever-changing world while grappling with identity, this is a heartwarming read.