Awards and Recognitions!

February is the season of awards and recognitions in the children’s book world, so there’s a lot of exciting news to share. The American Library Association (ALA) announced winners of its Youth Media Awards, and the Library of Congress named our new National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature.

Let’s begin with ALA’s Youth Media Awards:

• The John Newbery Medal, which recognizes the most outstanding contribution to children’s literature, was awarded to The First State of Being by Erin Entrada Kelly. This book, which was also a National Book Award finalist, tells the story of a 12-year-old boy who is befriended by a time-traveling teenager. Kelly previously won the Newbery Medal for Hello Universe in 2018.

• The Ralph Caldecott Medal is awarded to the most distinguished American picture book for children. This year, the honor went to Chooch Helped, written by Andrea L. Rogers and illustrated by Rebecca Lee Kunz. The story follows an older sister who is frustrated that her younger brother seems to get away with everything.

• The Coretta Scott King Book Award recognizes an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults. This year, the author award went to Jason Reynolds for Twenty-Four Seconds from Now…:A Love Story. The illustrator award went to C.G. Esperanza for My Daddy Is a Cowboy.

• The Michael L. Printz Award for excellence in young adult literature went to Brownstone, written by Samuel Teer and illustrated by Mar Julia. This graphic novel tells the story of Almudena, who comes to terms with her mixed heritage and personal identity when she spends the summer with the father she never knew.

For information about additional ALA Awards and to find lists of award honorees, you can visit the ALA Youth Media Awards announcement.

In other news, author Mac Barnett has been named the 2025-26 National Ambassador for Young People’s Literature. Barnett has written over 60 books for children, including picture books Extra Yarn and Sam & Dave Dig a Hole and the graphic novel series “The First Cat in Space.” 

The role of this ambassador is to raise awareness about the importance of young people’s literature and the positive impacts reading can make on all aspects of kids’ lives. The Library of Congress, in partnership with Every Child a Reader, selects an ambassador for a two-year term. Previous honorees include Meg Medina, Jason Reynolds, and Kate DiCamillo.

Susan Koehler

Editor / Agent Spotlight

Susan Koehler is a veteran educator, a lifetime literary enthusiast, and the author of several books for kids and teachers. When she’s not writing, Susan enjoys running away to museums every chance she gets. If she’s lucky, someone from her great big family will reluctantly agree to accompany her. Learn more about Susan's books, workshops, and school visits at susankoehlerwrites.com.