2025 ALA Youth Media Awards

The fact that I almost forgot these awards were announced yesterday is a good indication of how far removed I am from the library world these days. Whenever possible I watched the announcement live and requested the books I had not read already from the library as soon as possible.

At one point I knew the announcement was yesterday and that I would miss them because I was scheduled to work. I then forgot about them until I was up this morning and thinking about what I might write.

Also — I have not read any of the books this year.

Here are some of the award winners. A link to the full list of winners and honor books is here.

John Newbery Medal — The First State of Being,” written by Erin Entrada Kelly

Randolph Caldecott Medal — “Chooch Helped,” illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz and written by Andrea L. Rogers

Coretta Scott King Award — “Twenty-four Seconds from Now…,” written by Jason Reynolds

Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature — “Brownstone,” written by Samuel Teer, illustrated by Mar Julia

Alex Awards for the 10 best adult books that appeal to teen audiences

“Beautiful People: My Thirteen Truths About Disability,” by Melissa Blake