The winners and finalists for literature for teens were announced today at the ALA Youth Media Awards.
Michael L. Printz Award
Bone Gap by Laura Ruby won the Michael L. Printz Award. The Printz Award recognizes excellence in literature written for young adults, and this small town story examines a kidnapping, told from multiple points of view, and the role of beauty in a magical world. Two honor books, Out of Darkness and Ghosts of Heaven were also named.
William C. Morris Award
The next big award went to Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli for the William C. Morris Award which honors debut authors writing for teens. The endearing story of Simon and his secret online romance includes a cast of characters that you can't help but root for even when one of them is a blackmailer. This funny and authentic story will leave readers smiling. For more debut authors, explore the four other chosen finalists.
YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
This year's YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults winner went to Most Dangerous: Daniel Ellsberg and the Secret History of the Vietnam War by Steve Sheinkin. This close look at one man's decision to whistle-blow on America's involvement in the Vietnam War covers his transition from U.S. Marine to anti-war activist. Four other books were finalists for the award, as well.
Coretta Scott King (Author) Book Award
Three King author honor books, recognizing an African American author of outstanding books for children and young adults, were awarded to All American Boys by Jason Reynolds and Brendan Kiely, The Boy in the Black Suit by Jason Reynolds and X: A Novel by Ilyasah Shabazz with Kekla Magoon.
Schneider Family, Robert F. Sibert Informational, Stonewall Book Awards
Some other awards that may not be as well known, but are certainly just as worthy, include the teen winner of the Schneider Family Book Award, which celebrates books that embody an artistic expression of the disability experience, The Unlikely Hero of Room 13B by Teresa Toten. The Robert F. Sibert Informational Award for most distinguished informational book for children included The Boys Who Challenged Hitler by Phillip Hoose as one of the four honor books. The young adult Stonewall Book Award for exceptional merit relating to gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience went to The Porcupine of Truth by Bill Konigsberg and an honor book went to Wonders of the Invisible World by Christopher Barzak.
Margaret A. Edwards Award and Alex Awards
Last, but not least, the Margaret A. Edwards Award for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults honored David Levithan as the 2016 winner, and the Alex Awards, given to the best adult books that appeal to teen audiences, were awarded to ten winners.
With such an outstanding group of winners, what will you read next?
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