Oh MG News

Awards and Recognitions!

By on February 4, 2025   /   Oh MG News  
Middle Grade Authors

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 First State of Being cover

  • 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.

Chooch Helped book cover

  • 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.

Twenty-four Seconds book coverMy Daddy Is a Cowboy cover

Brownstone book cover

  • 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.

Mac Barnett headshot

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.

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L.A. Wildfire Relief Fundraiser 1/20-1/26

By on January 16, 2025   /   Oh MG News  

Kidlit for Los Angeles – Auction for Wildfire Relief
Jan 20, 2025 (9am PST) – Jan 26, 2025 (9pm PST)

Mark your calendars for an online auction to raise funds for wildfire relief in California.

Publishers Weekly reports that #kidlit authors, Charlotte Offsay and Caroline L. Perry organized this fundraiser and money earned will go to charities including the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund, L.A. Regional Food Bank, L.A. Fire Department Foundation, and Animal Wellness Foundation Fire Relief Fund.

Kidlit for Los Angeles KidLit Auction

The Kidlit for Los Angeles team writes:

“We are a group of kidlit creators who have been heartbroken by the devastating scenes in Los Angeles. Many of us are proud Angelenos, with friends and loved ones who have suffered crushing losses.

We have channeled our sadness into action, and for the past few days we’ve been hard at work setting up the Kidlit For Los Angeles fundraising initiative.

We are looking to help raise desperately-needed funds for wildfire relief efforts in the many LA communities that have been impacted through an auction taking place January 20th (9am Pacific Standard Time) through January 26th (9pm PST).

Please follow this page, share @kidlitforlosangeles (https://www.instagram.com/kidlitforlosangeles/) handle, and stay tuned for more details! Thank you for your support.” 

Until the auction opens, you can check out sneak peeks of some of the items that will be available for bidding, including critiques, art, and much more.

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New Year’s Resolution: Keep Making Reading Fun!

By on January 1, 2025   /   Oh MG News  

There’s been quite a bit of media attention recently on the decrease of students reading full-length books at both the middle and high school level. That, in turn, is impacting how students then interact with books and learning at the college level.

Kids are also reading less for fun, they self-report. For example, on the upper end of middle grade readers, only 14% of 13-year-olds read for fun almost every day, which is 3% lower than 2020, 13% lower than 2012, and 21% lower than 1984.

Meanwhile, for younger MG readers, 39% say they read for fun just about every day, which is 3% lower than 2020, and 14% lower than 1984.

Photo of a child sitting under a tree reading a book.

Photo by Aaron Burden on Unsplash

That doesn’t mean all hope is lost, and there are ways to encourage more reading. If you are a caregiver, parent, grandparent, or other trusted adult in a child’s life, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has a helpful list of ways to nurture a kid’s love of reading. The AAP’s suggestions include:

  • Read yourself. Model reading — they’ll be more likely to read themselves if they see you doing the same.
  • Read together. You can read a book out loud to them (or take turns!) or just sit together side by side and read as a way to spend time together doing something you both enjoy.z
  • Visit the library. If you are able to, get them their own library card so they can check out books themselves. Many libraries also offer cool, free events for kids.
  • Celebrate all reading.  Whether a child is into fiction, nonfiction, manga, graphic novels, comic books, or a mix, be enthusiastic! After all, they’re reading instead of choosing to do something else with their free time.
    Child lays in bed, reading and surrounded by more books

    Photo by Annie Spratt on Unsplash

  • Give books as gifts.  If a relative isn’t sure what to get your child for a birthday or holiday, you can suggest they choose a book, or send your child a gift card to your local bookstore so they can choose a book that appeals to them.

If you’re a librarian, teacher, parent or caregiver and have additional suggestions, we’d love to hear them.  Add your ideas to the comments below.

Happy New Year!

 

 

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