The American Library Association recently announced the winners of the 2021 Youth Media Awards. High quality media for teens and children were awarded for their excellence under different categories. I’ve listed some of these remarkable award winners below and included links to our catalog so you can reserve your copies today!
John Newbery Medal
The John Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children. This year’s winner is When You Trap a Tiger, written by Tae Keller. In this story, a magical tiger from Korean folklore appears to Lily after she moves in with her dying grandmother. Something was stolen from the tiger long ago and an incredible deal is offered for its return.
Five Newbery Honor Books were named this year:
- “All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys’ Soccer Team,” written by Christina Soontornvat
- “BOX: Henry Brown Mails Himself to Freedom,” written by Carole Boston Weatherford, illustrated by Michele Wood
- “Fighting Words,” written by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley
- “We Dream of Space,” written by Erin Entrada Kelly, illustrated by Erin Entrada Kelly and Celia Krampien
- “A Wish in the Dark,” written by Christina Soontornvat
Randolph Caldecott Medal
The Randolph Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the ALSC to the artist of the most distinguished illustrated American children’s picture book. This year’s winner is We Are Water Protectors, illustrated by Michaela Goade and written by Carole Lindstrom. This is a vibrantly illustrated, lyrical story using symbolism to express the sacredness of water and the need to protect it from harm for us all.
Four Caldecott Honor Books were named this year:
- “A Place Inside of Me: A Poem to Heal the Heart,” illustrated by Noa Denmon, written by Zetta Elliott
- “The Cat Man of Aleppo,” illustrated by Yuko Shimizu, written by Irene Latham & Karim Shamsi-Basha
- “Me & Mama,” illustrated and written by Cozbi A. Cabrera
- “Outside In,” illustrated by Cindy Derby, written by Deborah Underwood
Michael L. Printz Award
The Michael L. Printz Award is administered by the Young Adult Library Services Association and sponsored by Booklist. It is awarded annually to a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature. This year’s winner is Everything Sad Is Untrue (a true story), written by Daniel Nayeri. This is an autobiographical novel of the middle school experiences of an Iranian refugee and the challenges he faced.
Four Printz Honor Books were named this year:
- “Apple (Skin to the Core),” written by Eric Gansworth
- “Dragon Hoops,” written by Gene Luen Yang, color by Lark Pien
- “Every Body Looking,” written by Candice Iloh
- “We Are Not Free,” written by Traci Chee
Pura Belpré Awards
Pura Belpré Awards are awarded annually by the ALSC and REFORMA. They are awarded to a Latinx writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latinx cultural experience.
The Pura Belpré Illustrator Award winner for this year is ¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat, illustrated and written by Raúl Gonzalez. This is a delightfully illustrated story about Little Lobo as he visits various Mexican food trucks to pick up food on his way to a wrestling match.
The Pura Belpré Author Award winner this year is Efrén Divided, written by Ernesto Cisneros. This story follows Efrén as he endures the heartbreaking experience of the deportation of his mother, and his desire to reunite his family.
Coretta Scott King Awards
The Coretta Scott King Awards are awarded annually by the ALA’s Ethnic and Multicultural Information Exchange Round Table. They are awarded to African-American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.
The King Author Book winner for this year is Before the Ever After, written by Jacqueline Woodson. This heartbreaking story follows ZJ’s perspective of watching his father’s health deteriorate as the result of head injuries suffered during his professional football career.
The King Illustrator Book winner is R-E-S-P-E-C-T: Aretha Franklin, The Queen of Soul, illustrated by Frank Morrison and written by Carole Boston Weatherford. The dynamic illustrations of this picture book beautifully highlight the life of Aretha Franklin through her childhood, singing career, and fight for civil rights.
Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually by the ALSC to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in the United States in English during the preceding year. This year’s winner is Honeybee: The Busy Life of Apis Mellifera, written by Candace Fleming and illustrated by Eric Rohmann. With beautifully detailed illustrations and engaging text, this non-fiction picture book takes readers through the life of the honeybee and the roles it performs.
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