“And the Award Goes To…” 2017 Youth Media Awards!

On Monday, the American Library Association announced the winners of the 2017 Youth Media Awards, including the Caldecott Medal, Newbery Medal, Coretta Scott King Awards, Theodor Seuss Geisel Award, and several others.

It was certainly an exciting day in the book world! John Lewis’s graphic novel March: Book Three set a new record by winning four (count ’em: FOUR) medals in a single year. Also, for the second year in a row, a picture book appeared in the Newbery category; Ashley Bryan’s Freedom Over Me received a 2017 Newbery Honor (last year, Last Stop on Market Street won the medal).

We want to offer our heartfelt congratulations to all of the winners and honor books! It’s wonderful to recognize the amazing work being done every year in children’s books.

We’ve listed a few of the award winners and honors below. For the full list, visit the American Library Association’s website—and get reading!

Caldecott Medal

Awarded annually to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

Winner: Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, written &  illustrated by Javaka Steptoe

Honor books:

Leave Me Alone! written & illustrated by Vera Brosgol

Freedom in Congo Square, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie & written by Carole Boston Weatherford

Du Iz Tak? written & illustrated by Carson Ellis

They All Saw A Cat, written & illustrated by Brendan Wenzel

Newbery Medal

Awarded annually to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

Winner: The Girl Who Drank the Moon, written by Kelly Barnhill

Honor books:

Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan, written & illustrated by Ashley Bryan

The Inquisitor’s Tale: Or, The Three Magical Children and Their Holy Dog, written by Adam Gidwitz & illustrated by Hatem Aly

Wolf Hollow, written by Lauren Wolk

CORETTA SCOTT KING Book AWARDs

Awarded annually to outstanding African American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.

Winner (Author): March: Book Three, written  by John Lewis & Andrew Aydin, illustrated by Nate Powell

Winner (Illustrator): Radiant Child: The Story of Young Artist Jean-Michel Basquiat, written &  illustrated by Javaka Steptoe

Author Honor Books:

As Brave As You, written by Jason Reynolds

Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan, written & illustrated by Ashley Bryan

Illustrator Honor Books:

Freedom in Congo Square, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie & written by Carole Boston Weatherford

Freedom Over Me: Eleven Slaves, Their Lives and Dreams Brought to Life by Ashley Bryan, written & illustrated by Ashley Bryan

In Plain Sight, illustrated by Jerry Pinkney & written by Richard Jackson

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

Given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.

Winner: We Are Growing: A Mo Willems’ Elephant & Piggie Like Reading! Book, written by Laurie Keller

Honor books:

Good Night Owl, written & illustrated by Greg Pizzoli

Oops, Pounce, Quick, Run! An Alphabet Caper, written & illustrated by Mike Twohy

Go Otto Go! written & illustrated by David Milgrim

The Infamous Ratsos, written by Kara LaReau & illustrated by Matt Myers

Pura Belpré Award

Given annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

Winner (Author): Juana & Lucas, written & illustrated by Juana Medina

Winner (Illustrator): Lowriders to the Center of the Earth, illustrated by Raúl Gonzalez & written by Cathy Camper

Author Honor Book:

The Only Road, written by Alexandra Diaz

Illustrator Honor Books:

Esquivel!: Space-Age Sound Artist, illustrated by Duncan Tonatiuh & written by Susan Wood

The Princess and the Warrior: A Tale of Two Volcanoes, illustrated & written by Duncan Tonatiuh

There were many other awards given, so make sure you don’t miss the full list, which can be found here. In the meantime, stop by blue manatee and check out the winners for yourself!