Congratulations to the 2024 ALA Award Winners

The ultimate underdog story, this is an art-centric tale of a dog with a witty, thoughtful, totally dog-centric view on life and humankind that will strike a chord with young readers.

Newbery Honor Books: Eagle Drums by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson; Elf Dog and Owl Head, written by M.T. Anderson, illustrated by Junyi Wu; Mexikid by Pedro Martín, Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow; The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Nayeri, illustrated by Daniel Miyares.

In the first book written AND illustrated by award-winning dynamo Vashti Harrison, Big beautifully details a child’s journey to self-acceptance and highlights the impact of words – how they can both hurt and heal. Like the message in this book, Big is oversized and overflowing with thought, care and love.

Caldecott Honor Titles: In Every Life illustrated and written by Marla Frazee; Jovita Wore Pants, illustrated by Molly Mendoza, written by Aida Salazar; There Was a Party for Langston, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds; The Truth About Dragons, illustrated by Hanna Cha, written by Julie Leung.

Nigeria Jones explores love and loyalty in this richly complex coming-of-age story about a young girl asking hard questions about her family and her upbringing in the Movement, her father’s Black separatist group. Brave and unwavering, Ibi Zoboi’s newest is perfect for fans of Nic Stone and Candice Iloh.

Coretta Scott King Author Honor Books: Big written and illustrated by Vashti Harrison; How Do You Spell Unfair?: MacNolia Cox and the National Spelling Bee written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Frank Morrison; and Kin: Rooted in Hope, written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Jeffery Boston Weatherford.

To describe An American Story by Kwame Alexander and Dare Coulter as simply an “important” book would be an egregious understatement. In the way only two distinctive creators such as Alexander and Coulter can, An American Story is the haunted but masterfully constructed bridge connecting the traditional African Village of the past and the modern day African American community. If there is one “must read” book for all ages, An American Story is it.

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor Books: Big illustrated and written by Vashti Harrison; Holding Her Own: The Exceptional Life of Jackie Ormes, illustrated by Shannon Wright, written by Traci N. Todd; and There Was a Party for Langston, illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarret Pumphrey, written by Jason Reynolds.

This searing debut follows Rhea, a fifteen-year-old girl fighting gentrification in her neighborhood. With the help of new kids in town and carefully curated social media posts, Rhea works to save her neighborhood from becoming another overpriced Los Angeles suburb.

Grammy Award-winning musician Rhiannon Giddens delivers an enchanting tale of a mother introducing her daughter to family traditions passed down through generations. Through lyrical prose that soars off the page, Giddens weaves a colorful tale sure to become a children’s classic. 

This remarkable collection of Young Adult stories includes works from David Levithan, Anna-Marie McLemore, and more. Each author includes a story of a new kid, all with their own special collections of wonderfully weird things.

Printz Honor Books: Fire from the Sky by Moa Backe Åstot; Gather by Kenneth M. Cadow; The Girl I Am, Was, and Never Will Be: A Speculative Memoir of Transracial Adoption by Shannon Gibney; Salt the Water by Candice Iloh.

This outstanding graphic novel follows a young girl coming to terms with having her very first crush, all while trying to figure out what it means to become a teenager. Told through a delightful diary-entry format, this novel is equal parts hilarious and endearing.

Children’s Literature Award Honor Books: Desert Queen written by Jyoti Rajan Gopal, illustrated by Svabhu Kohli; Not He or She, I’m Me written by A. M. Wild, illustrated by Kah Yangni; The Otherwoods written by Justine Pucella Winans; Stars in Their Eyes written by Jessica Walton, illustrated by Aśka.

Told through differing perspectives and timelines, this stunning novel follows the intergenerational life experiences of one Iranian family. With glittering prose and harrowing meditations on the history of the LGBTQ+ community, Nazemian’s novel will be required reading for years to come.

Young Adult Literature Honor Books: Ander & Santi Were Here by Jonny Garza Villa; Imogen, Obviously by Becky Albertalli; The Long Run by James Acker; The Spirit Bares Its Teeth by Andrew Joseph White.

Pedro Martín’s graphic memoir is an incredible tale of family and perseverance. Detailing Pedro’s journey as a young boy traveling to Mexico with his family to bring his grandfather back to the United States to live with them, Pedro illustrates his family’s remarkable history and the fears he grappled with along the way.

Ari Tison’s stunning novel, told through interwoven poems and prose, depicts the remarkable bravery from two Bribri American brothers wrestling with the fears of learning the wrong lessons from their abusive father, and drawing on the strengths of their ancestors to forge their own path forward.  

Shining a light on debilitating anxiety, Mariama J. Lockington’s novel is a modern classic. Written in verse, this exceptional story is an essential meditation on living as a teen in today’s world.

Teen Honor Books: Tilly in Technicolor by Mazey Eddings and Where You See Yourself by Claire Forrest.

An enthralling novel told through lyrical and heartfelt writing, Sally J. Pla tells the story of a young neurodivergent girl learning to overcome her fears and put trust in her family. A necessary book for anyone trying to find their voice.

Middle Grade Honor Books: Good Different by Meg Eden Kuyatt and Simon Sort of Says by Erin Bow.

Employing both humor and heartfelt writing, this is the start of a brand new chapter book series based on Jenn Bailey’s fan-favorite picture book, A Friend for Henry. Following a young boy on the autism spectrum, this is the perfect book for any young readers looking for a character to root for.

Young Children Honor Books: Dancing Hands written by Joanna Que and Charina Marquez, illustrated by Fran Alvarez; What Happened to You? written by James Catchpole, illustrated by Karen George.