When it comes to picking the best books for kids, the number of choices can be a little overwhelming. Enter, the ALA Youth Media Awards!

The winners of these awards are announced each year at the American Library Association’s annual midwinter conference, and represent the best materials for kids and teens that have come out in the last year. Each prize is selected by committees that include librarians and other literary and media experts, so you know their picks are top-notch. 

We’ve gathered together this list of the winners and honors books for some of the biggest prizes, along with some of the other winners for kids and teens below. You can click through each link to put the title on hold in our catalog, or click here to see a complete list of winners. We’re certain you’ll find something great to read! 

Newbery Medal and Honor Books

The Newbery Medal is given annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. 

• Winner: New Kid by Jerry Craft
• The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander (writer) and Kadir Nelson (illustrator)
• Scary Stories for Young Foxes by Christian McKay Heidicker (writer) and Junyi Wu (illustrator)
• Other Words for Home by Jasmine Warga
• Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

Caldecott Medal and Honor Books

The Caldecott Medal is given annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. 

• Winner: The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander (writer) and Kadir Nelson (illustrator)
• Bear Came Along by Richard T. Morris (writer) and LeUyen Pham (illustrator)
• Double Bass Blues by Rudy Gutierrez (writer) and Andrea J. Loney (illustrator)
• Going Down Home with Daddy by Kelly Starling Lyons (writer) and Daniel Minter (illustrator) 

Coretta Scott King Book Awards

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.  

• Author award: New Kid by Jerry Craft
• Illustrator award: The Undefeated by Kwame Alexander (writer) and Kadir Nelson (illustrator)
• Virginia Hamilton Award (lifetime achievement): Mildred D. Taylor
• John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Illustrator): What Is Given from the Heart illustrated by April Harrison
• John Steptoe Award for New Talent (Author): Genesis Begins Again by Alicia D. Williams

Other Award Winners (Children)

• Stop! Bot! by James Yang
• Fry Bread: A Native American Family Story by Kevin Nobel Maillard (writer) and Juana Martinez-Neal (illustrator)
• Dancing Hands: How Teresa Carreño Played the Piano for President Lincoln by Margarita Engle (writer) and Rafael López (illustrator)
• Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernandez
• When Aidan Became a Brother by Kyle Lukoff (writer) and Kaylani Juanita (illustrator)
• Just Ask! Be Different, Be Brave, Be You by Sonia Sotomayor (writer) and Rafael López (illustrator)
• The Book Rescuer: How a Mensch from Massachusetts Saved Yiddish Literature for Generations to Come by Sue Macy (writer) and Stacy Innerst (illustrator)
• Stargazing by Jen Wang

Other Award Winners (Teen)

• Dig by A.S. King
• Free Lunch by Rex Ogle
• The Field Guide to the North American Teenager by Ben Philippe
• Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
• Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein
• White Bird by R.J. Palacio
• Someday We Will Fly, by Rachel DeWoskin
• They Called Us Enemy by George Takei, Justin Eisinger Steven Scott (writers), and Harmony Becker (illustrator)

Not sure where to start with this amazing list? Looking for something a little different? Reach out to a Washington County librarian at your local branch to get their best recommendation for you. Happy reading!