Awards and Best-of-the-Year Lists

Here you will find direct links to lists of annual awards and distinctions. Whenever possible, we have tried to link directly to the official page created by the sponsoring organization. To search by subject, author, title or grade level try the Database of Award-Winning Children's Literature

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AAAS/Subaru/Science Books and Films Prize for Excellence in Science Books
For outstanding science writing and illustration for children and young adults (American Association for the Advancement of Science/Science Books and Films)

Alex Awards
Annual list of 10 adult books that have special appeal to young adult (American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association)

American Indian Youth Literature Award
For the best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. (American Indian Library Association) (September, 2006: This award does not yet have it's own web site. This links to the AILA site, which features information and criteria for this newly established award. Read the press release about the first winners, announced September 5.)

Americas Children's and Young Adult Literature Award/Commended List
For outstanding books about Latin America or Latinos in the United States (Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs Committee on Teaching and Outreach)

Asian Pacific American Award for Literature
For books by and about Asian Pacific Americans (Asian Pacific American Librarians Association)

Batchelder Award
For outstanding translated books (American Library Association/Association for Library Services to Children)

Best Books for Young Adults
Annual list of outstanding books for young adults(American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association)

Boston Globe/Horn Book Awards
For excellence in literature for children and young adults ("Boston Globe" newspaper and "Horn Book" magazine)

Caldecott Medal
For most distinguished illustration in a picture book for children (American Library Association/Association for Library Services to Children)

Carnegie Medal
For outstanding (British) book for children (British Library Association)

Carter G. Woodson Book Awards
For most distinguished social science books depicting ethnicity in the United States (National Council for the Social Studies)

Charlotte Zolotow Award
For outstanding writing in a picture book for young children (Cooperative Children's Book Center, School of Education, University of Wisconsin-Madison)

Children's Africana Book Awards
For the best children's books about Africa (Outreach Council of the African Studies Association)

Children's Book of the Year (Australia)
Annual Australian book award given in four categories: Older Readers, Younger Readers, Early Childhood, and Picture Book. (Children's Book Council of Australia)

Children's Choices
Annual list of best books selected by children (International Reading Association with the Children's Book Council)

Coretta Scott King Award
For the distinguished book by a Black author, and the distinguished by a black illustrator, that promote "understanding and appreciation of the "American Dream."

Costa Children's Book Award (Formerly Whitbread Book Award)
For well-written, enjoyable book of the year (Costa Coffee, United Kingdom)

Elizabeth Burr Award
For distinguished achievement in children's literature by a Wisconsin author (Wisconsin Library Association)

Golden Archer Awards
For best book chosen by Wisconsin K-8 students (Wisconsin Educational Media and Technology Association)

Governor General's Literary Awards
Annual Canadian book award given in a number of categores, including children's books (text and illustration). (Canada Council for the Arts/Governor General of Canada)

Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Annual list of recommended graphic novels for teens (American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association)

Hans Christian Andersen Awards
For distguished lifetime achievement of an author and an artist (International Board on Books for Young People)

Jane Addams Children's Book Award
For promotion of peace, social justice, world community, and/or equality of the sexes and all races (Jane Addams Peace Association/Women's International League for Peace & Freedom)

Kate Greenaway Medal
For distinguished illustration in a (British) book for children (British Library Association)

Michael L. Printz Award
For excellence in young adult literature (American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association)

National Book Award
For literary achievement in young people's literature (National Book Foundation)

Newbery Medal
For most distinguished contribution to American literature for children (American Library Association/Association for Library Services to Children)

Notable (Social Studies) Trade Books for Young People
Annual list of recommended books about social studies (National Council for the Social Studies with the Children's Book Council)

Notable Books for a Global Society
Annual list of "outstanding trade books for enhancing student understanding of people and cultures throughout the world." (International Reading Association)

Notable Children's Books
Annual list of outstanding books for children (American Library Association/Association for Library Services to Children)

Notable Children's Books in the English/Language Arts
Annual list of recommended books for English/Language Arts (Children's Literature Assembly/National Council of Teachers of English

Odyssey Award
Annual award going to the producer of the best audio book for children and/or young adults (American Library Association/Association for Library Service to Children, Young Adult Library Services Association)

Orbis Pictus Award
For excellence in non-fiction (National Council of Teachers of English)

Outstanding International Books
Annual list of outstanding books originally published in countries other than the United States and published here in the U.S. in the preceding year (United States Board on Books for Young People)

Outstanding Science Trade Books
Annual list of recommended children's science trade books each year (National Scienc Teachers Association with the Children's Book Council)

Pura Belpre Award
For outstanding book by a Latino/a author and a Latino/a artist (American Library Association/Association for Library Services to Children and REFORMA)

Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers
Annual list of best books for reluctant young adult readers (American Library Association/Young Adult Library Services Association)

Regina Medal
Lifetime achievement award recognizing "continued, distinguished contribution to children’s literature" (Catholic Library Association)

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal
For most distinguished informational (non-fiction) book for children (American Library Association/Association for Library Services to Children)

Schneider Family Book Award
For books that embody "an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences." (American Library Association)

Sydney Taylor Book Awards
For best Jewish children's literature (Association of Jewish Libraries)

Teacher's Choices
Annual list of best books of the year selected by teachers (International Reading Association with the Children's Book Council)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award
For the most distinguished beginning reader (American Library Association/Association for Library Services to Children)

Tomas Rivera Mexican-American Children's Book Award
For most distinguished book for children and young adults about Mexican-Americans(Texas State University - San Marcos)

Young Adults' Choices
Annual list of best books of the year selected by young adults (International Reading Association with the Children's Book Council)