Own Voices (often written as #OwnVoices) is a term coined by author Corinne Duyvis in 2015 to describe children’s books written by authors who share the same marginalized identity as their main characters. When a Black author writes a Black protagonist, or an autistic writer creates an autistic main character, that book is considered Own … Read more
Every year, a small group of dedicated librarians gathers to read hundreds of books and decide which African American authors and illustrators deserve to be honored with one of children’s literature’s most prestigious awards. The Coretta Scott King Book Award has shaped what gets published, taught, and treasured in classrooms across America since 1970. Whether … Read more
The William C. Morris YA Debut Award is an annual literary honor given to a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens. First given in 2009, the award celebrates impressive new voices in young adult literature and signals that a debut novel has earned recognition from librarians and the broader YA community. … Read more
The Alex Award exists because some of the best books for teen readers are written for adults. Each year the American Library Association, through its Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), honors ten adult titles with special appeal to young adults ages 12 through 18. I have followed this list for years as a parent, … Read more
If you’ve ever wondered exactly how the American Library Association decides what counts as an informational book for the Robert F. Sibert Medal, you’re not alone. Librarians, authors, and educators ask this question constantly because the definition shapes everything from which books get nominated to how children learn nonfiction. In this guide, I’ll walk you … Read more
If you build a home library, choose classroom books, or simply want your kids to read nonfiction they will actually finish, you have probably heard the Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal mentioned. It shows up on library shelves, teacher recommendation lists, and award-season book reviews every January. I have spent years sorting through children’s … Read more