Award Winners

Award Winners Selection

Arkansas Diamond

 The Arkansas Diamond Primary Book Award began in 1998 to encourage reading for students in grades kindergarten—third. Students read and/or listen to at least three titles from the nominated books and vote for their favorite book each spring. The award is coordinated by the Arkansas State Library.

Charlie May Simon

 The Charlie May Simon Children's Book Award for children's literature has been presented annually since 1971 to an author whose book has been selected through a vote taken by Arkansas school children in grades four, five, and six. The purpose of the award is to promote better reading for children and to recognize Mrs. John Gould Fletcher, an outstanding Arkansas author who wrote under the pen name Charlie May Simon.

Other Awards

The Newbery Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the author of the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.

The Caldecott Medal is awarded annually by the Association for Library Service to Children, a division of the American Library Association, to the artist of the most distinguished American picture book for children.

The Theodor Seuss Geisel Award is given annually to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers published in English in the United States during the preceding year.

The Coretta Scott King Book Awards are given annually to outstanding African-American authors and illustrators of books for children and young adults that demonstrate an appreciation of African-American culture and universal human values. The award commemorates the life and work of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., and honors his wife, Mrs. Coretta Scott King, for her courage and determination to continue the work for peace and world brotherhood.

The Michael L. Printz Award is an award for a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.

The Schneider Family Book Awards honor an author or illustrator for a book that embodies an artistic expression of the disability experience for child and adolescent audiences.

The Mildred L Batchelder Award is given to an outstanding children's book originally published in a language other than English in a country other than the United States, and subsequently translated into English for publication in the United States. 

The Pura Belpré Award is presented annually 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.

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 the United States in English during the preceding year.

The Stonewall Book Awards are given annually to English-language children's and young adult books of exceptional merit relating to the the gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgender experience. 

The William C. Morris YA Debut Award honors a book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature.

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18) during a Nov. 1 – Oct. 31 publishing year.

American Indian Youth Literature Awards are granted in even-numbered years, and identifies and honors the very best writing and illustrations by Native Americans and Indigenous peoples of North America.

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature promotes Asian/Pacific American culture and heritage and is awarded based on literary and artistic merit. 

The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience. 

Other children’s and teen book awards may be found here.