The library will be closed Sunday, March 31st, for Easter

Memorial Hall Library

2019 ALA Youth Media Awards

The American Library Association (ALA) announced the winners of the Youth Media Awards for best literature and media for young readers. Click here to learn more about the different awards and to see a full list of winners including honor books (runners up for the medals). 

A few red drops : the Chicago Race Riots of 1919
A few red drops : the Chicago Race Riots of 1919
by Claire Hartfield

Coretta Scott King Author Award 

A compelling introduction to the Chicago race riot of 1919 documents key events that led to days of urban violence that continue to reverberate a century later, offering insight into contributing factors in race relations, politics, business and culture. 
The stuff of stars
The stuff of stars
by Marion Dane Bauer

Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award

The Newbery Honor-winning author of On My Honor and the Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award-winning artist of Out of Wonder vibrantly describe the void that existed before the Big Bang generated life throughout the galaxy, making it possible for wondrous human children to evolve.
Monday's not coming
Monday's not coming
by Tiffany D. Jackson

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award

Knowing when her best friend stops showing up at school that something is terribly wrong, Claudia, who depends heavily on her friend to defend her from bullies and help her navigate the toughest time in her life, is baffled when nobody around her seems to remember the last time they saw her friend. 
Thank you, Omu!
Thank you, Omu!
by Oge Mora

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award
 
When her wonderful stew attracts the attention of hungry neighbors, Omu generously shares portion after portion before discovering that she has nothing left to eat herself, a dilemma that culminates in a heartwarming community surprise. 
Rescue & Jessica : a life-changing friendship
Rescue & Jessica : a life-changing friendship
by Jessica Kensky

Schneider Family Book Award for Young Readers
 
When he is paired with a girl who has lost her legs, Rescue worries that he isn't up to the task of being her service dog.
The truth as told by Mason Buttle
The truth as told by Mason Buttle
by Leslie Connor

Schneider Family Book Award for Middle Grade Readers
 
As he grieves his best friend Benny's death, Mason and his friend Calvin, who are targeted by the neighborhood bullies, create an underground haven for themselves, but when Calvin goes missing Mason finds himself in trouble.
Anger is a gift : a novel
Anger is a gift : a novel
by Mark Oshiro

Schneider Family Book Award for Teen Readers 
 
A young adult debut by the popular social media personality and critic reflects the racial and economic struggles of today's teens in the story of high school junior Moss, who in the face of a racist school administration decides to organize a protest that escalates into violence. 
Sadie
Sadie
by Courtney Summers

Odyssey Award
 
A missing girl on a journey of revenge and a Serial-like podcast following the clues she's left behind.


 
Dreamers
Dreamers
by Yuyi Morales

Pura Belpré Illustrator Award 
 
An illustrated picture book autobiography in which award-winning author Yuyi Morales tells her own immigration story.
 
The poet X
The poet X
by Elizabeth Acevedo

Pura Belpré Author Award  
 
The daughter of devout immigrants discovers the power of slam poetry and begins participating in a school club as part of her effort to understand her mother's strict religious beliefs and her own developing relationship to the world.
The girl who drew butterflies : how Maria Merian's art changed science
The girl who drew butterflies : how Maria Merian's art changed science
by Joyce Sidman

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award
 
A portrait of one of the first naturalists to observe live insects directly describes Maria Merian's life and her groundbreaking work documenting the metamorphosis of the butterfly.
Julián is a mermaid
Julián is a mermaid
by Jessica Love

Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s Literature Award 
 
Glimpsing a trio of women dressed up in fabulous mermaid costumes while riding the subway home with his abuela, little Julián resolves to make a fancy mermaid costume and headdress for himself and wonders what his abuela will think of the mess he makes, and more importantly, how his costume will reflect how he sees himself.
Hurricane child
Hurricane child
by Kheryn Callender

Stonewall Book Award - Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Young Adult Literature Award
 
Born on Water Island in the Virgin Islands during a hurricane, which is considered bad luck, twelve-year-old Caroline falls in love with another girl--and together they set out in a hurricane to find Caroline's missing mother.
Fox the tiger
Fox the tiger
by Corey R. Tabor

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award 
 
Fox decides to become a tiger because they are fast and sneaky, and soon, his other animal friends are joining in.
Darius the Great is not okay
Darius the Great is not okay
by Adib Khorram

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature: Young Adult
 
A Persian-American youth who prefers pop culture to the traditions of his mixed family struggles with clinical depression and the misunderstandings of older relatives while bonding with a boy who helps him embrace his Iranian heritage. 
The unwanted : stories of the Syrian refugees
The unwanted : stories of the Syrian refugees
by Don Brown

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults
 
The award-winning creator of The Great American Dust Bowl incorporates evocative graphic artwork into an exploration of the ongoing Syrian refugee crisis that draws on survivor testimonies to explore the harsh realities of living in, and trying to escape, a war zone. 
Drawn together
Drawn together
by Minh Lê

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature: Picture Book
 
Struggling throughout a visit with his grandfather when they cannot speak each other's language, a young boy discovers their mutual love of art and storytelling during a shared session of drawing that helps them form a bond beyond words. Illustrated by the Caldecott Award-winning artist of The Adventures of Beekle.
Front desk
Front desk
by Kelly Yang

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature: Children's Literature
 
Recent immigrants from China, desperate for money, ten-year-old Mia Tang's parents take a job managing a rundown Southern California motel for skinflint Mr. Yao, whose son is the only other Chinese American in Mia's class.
Darius the Great is not okay
Darius the Great is not okay
by Adib Khorram

William C. Morris Award
 
A Persian-American youth who prefers pop culture to the traditions of his mixed family struggles with clinical depression and the misunderstandings of older relatives while bonding with a boy who helps him embrace his Iranian heritage. 
All-of-a-kind family Hanukkah
All-of-a-kind family Hanukkah
by Emily Jenkins

The Sydney Taylor Book Award: Younger Readers
 
The beloved characters from Sydney Taylor's All-of-a-Kind Family return in a heartwarming picture book celebration of their shared Hanukkah traditions in 1912, a time marked by busy preparations, impatient tempers and the lighting of the first candle on the menorah.
Sweep : the story of a girl and her monster
Sweep : the story of a girl and her monster
by Jonathan Auxier

The Sydney Taylor Book Award: Older Readers
 
In nineteenth-century England, after her father's disappearance Nan Sparrow, ten, works as a "climbing boy," aiding chimney sweeps, but when her most treasured possessions end up in a fireplace, she unwittingly creates a golem.
What the night sings : a novel
What the night sings : a novel
by Vesper Stamper

The Sydney Taylor Book Award: Teen Readers 
 
Lushly illustrated with evocative imagery, a poignant tale about a young Holocaust survivor finds her struggling to survive, rebuild and come to terms with the losses of her family and everything she knew after being liberated from a Nazi concentration camp, a situation that is complicated by her growing feelings for a fellow survivor. 
Shanyaak'utlaax - Salmon Boy
Shanyaak'utlaax - Salmon Boy
by Johnny Marks

American Indian Youth Literature Award: Picture Book

After a Tlingit mother gives her son a dried piece of salmon with mold on the end, he flings it away in disgust, committing a taboo. This offends the Salmon People, who sweep him into the water and into their world, where they name him Shanyaak'utlaax or Salmon Boy.
 
Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers 1
Tales of the Mighty Code Talkers 1
by Arigon Starr

American Indian Youth Literature Awards: Middle School
 
The first all-indigenous comic book anthology celebrating the many tribes who served as heroic Code Talkers. Award-winning creator Arigon Starr and an acclaimed group of Native American artists and writers bring to life thrilling stories based on the incredible achievements of indigenous soldiers in World War I, World War II, and Korea.
#Notyourprincess : voices of Native American women
#Notyourprincess : voices of Native American women
by Lisa Charleyboy

American Indian Youth Literature Awards: Young Adult
 
A collection of poems, essays, interviews, and art exhibit the voices of Indigenous women across North America.
Merci Suárez changes gears
Merci Suárez changes gears
by Meg Medina

John Newbery Medal
 
Merci Suárez relies on her close, extended family as she goes through many changes during her sixth-grade year at Florida's Seaward Pines Academy.
Hello Lighthouse
Hello Lighthouse
by Sophie Blackall

Randolph Caldecott Medal
 
Explores the life of one lighthouse as it beams its message out to sea through shifting seasons, changeable weather, and the tenure of its final keeper.
The poet X
The poet X
by Elizabeth Acevedo

Michael L. Printz Award 
 
The daughter of devout immigrants discovers the power of slam poetry and begins participating in a school club as part of her effort to understand her mother's strict religious beliefs and her own developing relationship to the world.