Every year, at the end of January, the American Library Association gives out a number of awards to authors and illustrators that have had books published in the previous year, and are deserving of recognition, accolades, and attention.
You might have already heard of the Newbery Award- which is given out to the author of the best written book in youth literature, or the Caldecott- which is awarded to the artist of the best illustrated book for a youth audience. There are quite a few other ALA book awards given out at the same time, however, and many of them are perfect options for the discerning teen reader.
Each award has its own special focus, and every award winning book is a star in its own right. We welcome you to try out one (or more!) of these 2023 award winners!
The Life and Crimes of Hoodie Rosen by Isaac Blum (8th gr. & up)
YA F BLUM
The William C. Morris Award Winner (award’s focus= an exemplary book written by a debut author.) When Hoodie’s entire Orthodox Jewish community moves to a new town, the current residents- especially the mayor, are less than welcoming. The increasing level of hostility and anti-semetism doesn’t affect Hoodie personally, though- until he falls for the mayor’s daughter.
The Summer of Bitter and Sweet by Jen Ferguson (10th gr. & up)
YA F FERGUSON
A Stonewall Honor Award Winner (award’s focus= a book that excellently relates the gay, lesbian, and/or transgender experience.) Who knew that three months could result in so much change? What starts out as a boring summer working at her Uncle’s ice cream shop turns into a season of upheaval, as Lou comes to some hard but freeing realizations about her family, her heritage, her relationships, herself, and more.
When Angels Left the Old Country by Sacha Lamb (9th gr. & up)
YA F LAMB
The Sydney Taylor Award Winner (award’s focus= a book that authentically portrays the Jewish experience.) Historical fiction and fantasy collide when an angel and a demon, who live and study in a small Polish village travel to America to search for a girl who disappeared on her emigration from their home village to the new country. This novel is so good that it was given a Sydney Taylor Award and a Stonewall Book award!
The Words We Keep by Erin Stewart (9th gr. & up)
YA F STEWART
The Schneider Family Book Award Winner (award’s focus= a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience.) Three months after Lily discovered her older sister in the midst of harming herself, Alice is back from her treatment program. Things are not back to normal, though, as Lily tries to keep her sister and family from falling apart, while desperately trying to ignore the secret compulsions she herself is battling.
All My Rage by Sabaa Tahir (9th gr. & up)
YA F TAHIR
The Printz Award Winner (award’s focus= best book written for teens)
The Clouds’ Rest Inn Hotel, which is owned and operated by his parents, means everything to Salahudin, especially now that his family is falling apart. As Sal’s attempts to save the motel grow desperate, his rocky relationship with his former best friend Noor will face a new challenge, as his decisions affect her hopes for the future. Tahir is mostly known for her excellent fantasy novels, but her first foray into a new genre is a gem.
Burn Down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado (10th gr. & up)
YA F TIRADO
The Pura Belpré Young Adult Author Award Winner (award’s focus= the best portrayal of the Latinx cultural experience.) Tirado creates a unique and page turning plot, where urban legend, disappearances, and societal critique blend together seamlessly. Tirado is a relatively new author, yet they’ve already proven that they are an author to keep an eye on. I can’t wait to see what they write next!
Himawari House by Harmony Becker (9th gr. & up)
YA GN BECKER
The Asian/Pacific American Award Winner (award’s focus= the best portrayal of Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage.) Three foreign exchange students- Nao, Hyejung, and Tina, each have their own unique reasons for spending a year in the Himawari House in Tokyo, but their time together will reveal many similarities and foster connections that will affect the way they view themselves and others.
Victory, Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes (8th gr. & up)
YA GN SMITH
The YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award Winner (award’s focus= superior YA nonfiction) In Mexico City in 1968, at the Summer Olympics medal ceremony for the 200-meter sprint, American runners Tommie Smith (who won gold) and John Carlos (bronze) stood shoeless, each with one black gloved fist raised and heads bowed during the National Anthem, in protest of the racial injustice that African Americans face every day. This important moment in Olympic history and the Civil Rights Movement is a tale that needs to be told.
Ain’t Burned All the Bright by Jason Reynolds (7th gr. & up)
YA 811.6 REY
A Caldecott Honor Award Winner (award’s focus= excellent illustrations).
While the Caldecott is most often given to a children’s picture book, the striking and moving illustrations by Jason Griffin that accompany the always vivid poetry writing of Jason Reynolds won over the Caldecott committee, and marked this book as one that should not be missed.
