Independent Publishers Take Home 2015 Youth Media Awards
The 2015 Youth Media Awards were announced at the American Library Association’s Midwinter Conference on Feb. 2 in Chicago. Several independently published books were recognized at this ceremony and won prestigious awards for their excellence in writing, illustration, translation, and diversity. Here is a comprehensive list of all the indies that won awards or honors this year.
John Newbery Honor
This award honors the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature.
El Deafo by Cece Bell, published by Amulet Books
Randolph Caldecott Honor
This award honors the most distinguished American picture book for children.
Sam and Dave Dig a Hole by Mac Barnett, illustrated by Jon Klassen, published by Candlewick Press
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Coretta Scott King Illustrator Honor
This award recognizes an African American illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults.
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby, illustrated by Christian Robinson, published by Chronicle Books
Little Melba and Her Big Trombone by Kathryn Russell-Brown, illustrated by Frank Morrison, published by Lee and Low Books
Michael L. Printz Honor
The award honors excellence in literature written for young adults.
The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley, published by Elephant Rock Books
Schneider Family Book Award
This award recognizes books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience.
Girls Like Us by Gail Giles, published by Candlewick Press
Alex Award
This award is for the ten best books that appeal to teen audiences.
Lock in by John Scalzi, published by Tor Books
Mildred L. Batchelder Award
This award celebrates an outstanding children’s book translated from a foreign language and subsequently published in the United States.
Mikis and the Donkey by Bibi Dumon Tak, illustrated by Philip Hopman, translated by Laura Watkinson, published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Mildred L. Batchelder Honor
Nine Open Arms by Benny Lindelauf, illustrated by Dasha Tolstikova, translated by John Nieuwenhuizen, published by Enchanted Lion Books
Pura Belpré Illustrator Honor
This award honors a Latino writer and illustrator whose children’s books best portray, affirm, and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.
Green Is a Chile Pepper by Roseanne Greenfield Thong, illustrated by John Parra, published by Chronicle Books
Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh, published by Abrams
Robert F. Silbert Informational Book Award
This award recognizes the most distinguished informational book for children.
The Right Word: Roget and His Thesaurus by Jen Bryant, illustrated by Melissa Sweet, published by Eerdmans Books for Young Readers
Robert F. Silbert Informational Honor
Josephine: The Dazzling Life of Josephine Baker by Patricia Hruby, illustrated by Christian Robinson, published by Chronicle Books
Separate Is Never Equal: Sylvia Mendez and Her Family’s Fight for Desegregation by Duncan Tonatiuh, published by Abrams
Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award
This award is given to English-language children’s and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the LGBT experience.
This Day in June by Gayle E. Pitman, illustrated by Kristyna Litten, published by Magination Press
Stonewall Honor
Beyond Magenta: Transgender Teens Speak Out by Susan Kuklin, published by Candlewick Press
Morris Micklewhite and the Tangerine Dress by Christine Baldacchio, illustrated by Isabelle Malenfant, published by Groundwood Books
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
This award is for the most distinguished beginning reader book.
You Are (Not) Small by Anna Kang, illustrated by Christopher Weyant, published by Two Lions
William C. Morris Award
This award honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens.
Gabi, a Girl in Pieces by Isabel Quintero, published by Cinco Puntos Press
William C. Morris Honor
The Carnival at Bray by Jessie Ann Foley, published by Elephant Rock Books
The Story of Owen: Dragon Slayer of Trondheim by E. K. Johnston, published by Carolrhoda Lab
The Scar Boys by Len Vlahos, published Egmont Publishing
The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender by Leslye Walton, published Candlewick Press
Aimee Jodoin
