Looking for outstanding children's literature? Try an award-winning book!
The Pura Belpré Award
Named after the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, the Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented eachyear to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. Be sure to visit the Pura Belpré Collection Page with more links and to see what award winners are in the Willard library!
Named after the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library, the Pura Belpré Award, established in 1996, is presented eachyear to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. Be sure to visit the Pura Belpré Collection Page with more links and to see what award winners are in the Willard library!
The Batchelder Award
The Batchelder Award was named after a former District 65 librarian and an executive director of the Association for Library Service to Children, Mildred L. Batchelder. It is an award given to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be outstanding and originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States. These winners come from all over the world, offering the reader a distinct perspective. Check out the Batchelder Collection Page for more information and to see the Batchelder winners available at the Willard library!
The Batchelder Award was named after a former District 65 librarian and an executive director of the Association for Library Service to Children, Mildred L. Batchelder. It is an award given to an American publisher for a children's book considered to be outstanding and originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States. These winners come from all over the world, offering the reader a distinct perspective. Check out the Batchelder Collection Page for more information and to see the Batchelder winners available at the Willard library!
The Coretta Scott King Award
First given in 1970, this award is given each year to an African American author and illustrator that create outstanding books that celebrate the Black American experience and carry on the message of Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King. As stated on the official website, “ the Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.” Check out the Coretta Scott King Collection Page to learn more.
First given in 1970, this award is given each year to an African American author and illustrator that create outstanding books that celebrate the Black American experience and carry on the message of Dr. Martin Luther King and Coretta Scott King. As stated on the official website, “ the Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society.” Check out the Coretta Scott King Collection Page to learn more.
Asian Pacific American Award for Literature
For children, teens, and adults, the goal of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature is to honor and recognize books about Asian/Pacific Americans and their experiences (historical or present day) or culture. The authors that win must be Asian-American and Pacific Islander-American. To learn more, including which books you can check out from the Willard library, visit the Asian/Pacific American award for Literature Collection page.
For children, teens, and adults, the goal of the Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature is to honor and recognize books about Asian/Pacific Americans and their experiences (historical or present day) or culture. The authors that win must be Asian-American and Pacific Islander-American. To learn more, including which books you can check out from the Willard library, visit the Asian/Pacific American award for Literature Collection page.
The American Indian Youth Literature Award
The American Indian Youth Literature Awards are presented every two years. The award identifies and honors the very best writing and illustrations by and about Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America. Books selected to receive the award present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity. Authors/illustrators may win the American Indian Youth Literature Award in the categories Best Picture Book, Best Middle Grade Book, and Best Young Adult Book. In addition, up to five awards may be selected as Honors books in each category. To learn more and see what books are available in the Willard Library, take a look at The American Indian Youth Literature Award Collection Page.
The American Indian Youth Literature Awards are presented every two years. The award identifies and honors the very best writing and illustrations by and about Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America. Books selected to receive the award present Indigenous North American peoples in the fullness of their humanity. Authors/illustrators may win the American Indian Youth Literature Award in the categories Best Picture Book, Best Middle Grade Book, and Best Young Adult Book. In addition, up to five awards may be selected as Honors books in each category. To learn more and see what books are available in the Willard Library, take a look at The American Indian Youth Literature Award Collection Page.
The Schneider Family Book Award
This award honor an author or illustrator for the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and teen audiences. The book must portray some aspect of living with a disability or that of a friend or family member, whether the disability is physical, mental, or emotional. The individual with the disability, can be a main character or a secondary character, but the disability must be integral to the story. Winners are selected in three categories: birth through young child (age 0–8), middle grades (age 9–13) and teens (age 14–18). The award was founded by Dr. Katherine Schneider, who was the first blind student to graduate from the Kalamazoo Public School system. Visit The Schneider Family Book Award Collection Page to connect with the award website and see what books are available in the Willard Library.
This award honor an author or illustrator for the artistic expression of the disability experience for child and teen audiences. The book must portray some aspect of living with a disability or that of a friend or family member, whether the disability is physical, mental, or emotional. The individual with the disability, can be a main character or a secondary character, but the disability must be integral to the story. Winners are selected in three categories: birth through young child (age 0–8), middle grades (age 9–13) and teens (age 14–18). The award was founded by Dr. Katherine Schneider, who was the first blind student to graduate from the Kalamazoo Public School system. Visit The Schneider Family Book Award Collection Page to connect with the award website and see what books are available in the Willard Library.
The Monarch Award
The Monarch Award is a readers’ choice award for K-3 students. Since the award began in 2005, Willard students have participated in the award, reading at least five of the twenty nominated books and voting for their favorite. Check out the Monarch Award website to see past years' winners and click here to see this year's nominees.
The Monarch Award is a readers’ choice award for K-3 students. Since the award began in 2005, Willard students have participated in the award, reading at least five of the twenty nominated books and voting for their favorite. Check out the Monarch Award website to see past years' winners and click here to see this year's nominees.
The Bluestem AwardIn 2010, a new readers’ choice award began! Participating students in grades 3,4, and 5 will read at least four of the nominees and then vote for their favorite by mid-March. Click here to check out the nominees or visit the Bluestem Award website to learn more!
The Newbery Award
Each year, one book is awarded the John Newbery Medal. The medal is given to the author of “most distinguished contribution to American literature for children”. For a list of past winners and more about the award, check out the Newbery website. Many past winners are available at the Willard Library.
Each year, one book is awarded the John Newbery Medal. The medal is given to the author of “most distinguished contribution to American literature for children”. For a list of past winners and more about the award, check out the Newbery website. Many past winners are available at the Willard Library.
The Caldecott AwardThe Caldecott Medal was named in honor of nineteenth-century English illustrator Randolph Caldecott. It is awarded each year to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children. Take a look at the Caldecott website to see a list of past winners, many of which are available at the Willard Library.
The Geisel Award
Named after Dr. Seuss, the Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) ofthe most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.
Named after Dr. Seuss, the Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) ofthe most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.
The Sibert Award
Looking for outstanding nonfiction? The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year.
Looking for outstanding nonfiction? The Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal is awarded annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished informational book published in English during the preceding year.
The Odyssey Award
Given annually, the Odyssey Award is given to the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States.
Given annually, the Odyssey Award is given to the producer of the best audiobook produced for children and/or young adults, available in English in the United States.