American Library Association Award Winners 2026

For a complete list of ALA awards winners or to watch the announcement ceremony visit, https://www.ala.unikron.com

 

Pura Belpré Pura Belpré Awards

Pura Belpré Awards honoring Latino writers and illustrators whose children's and young adult

books best portray, affirm and celebrate the Latino cultural experience.

Belpré Children’s Illustration Award

“Popo the Xolo,” illustrated by Abraham Matias, written by Paloma Angelina Lopez and

published by Charlesbridge.

Belpré Illustration Honor Books

“A-Ztec: A Bilingual Alphabet Book,” illustrated and written by Emmanuel Valtierra and

published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido

“The Invisible Parade,”illustrated by John Picacio, written by Leigh Bardugo and John Picacio and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Belpré Children’s Author Award

“The Pecan Sheller,” written by Lupe Ruiz-Flores and published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

Belpré Children’s Author Honor Books

"A Hero’s Guide to Summer Vacation," written by Pablo Cartaya and published by Kokila, an

imprint of Penguin Random House

“The Island of Forgotten Gods,” written by Victor Piñeiro and published by Sourcebooks Young Readers, an imprint of Sourcebooks Kids

“A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez,” written by María Dolores Águila and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

Belpré Young Adult Author Award

"On the Wings of la Noche," written by Vanessa L. Torres and published by Alfred A. Knopf, an

imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.

Belpré Young Adult Author Honor Books

“Rosa by Any Other Name,” written by Hailey Alcaraz and published by Viking, an imprint of

Penguin Random House.

"Silenced Voices: Reclaiming Memories from the Guatemalan Genocide," written and illustrated by Pablo Leon and published by HarperAlley, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. 

“The Story of My Anger,” written by Jasminne Mendez and published by Dial Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Coretta Scott King Book Awards

Coretta Scott King Book Awards recognizing an African American author and illustrator of outstanding books for children and young adults.

King Author Award Book

“Will’s Race for Home,” written by Jewell Parker Rhodes, is the King Author Book winner. The book is published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

King Author Honor Books

“The Incredibly Human Henson Blayze,” written by Derrick Barnes and published by Viking, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

“The Library in the Woods,” written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc. 

“Split the Sky,” written by Marie Arnold and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

King Illustrator Award Book

“The Library in the Woods,” illustrated by R. Gregory Christie and written by Calvin Alexander Ramsey, is the King Illustrator Book award winner. This book is published by Carolrhoda Books, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

King Illustrator Honor Books

"André: André Leon Talley–A Fabulously Fashionable Fairy Tale," illustrated by Lamont O’Neal, written by Carole Boston Weatherford and Rob Sanders and published by Henry Holt and Company, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group.

"City Summer, Country Summer," illustrated by Alexis Franklin, written by Kiese Laymon and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award

Arriel Vinson for “Under the Neon Lights,” published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

Kadir Nelson is the winner of the Coretta Scott King – Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award pays tribute to the quality and magnitude of beloved children’s author Virginia Hamilton. Nelson is a renowned artist and storyteller whose work as both author and illustrator appears in over 30 children’s books. He has received numerous honors for his contributions to children’s literature, including the Caldecott Medal, Coretta Scott King Illustrator Award, Robert F. Sibert Medal, and multiple New York Times Best Illustrated Book distinctions.

John Newbery Medal

John Newbery Medal for the most outstanding contribution to children's literature. 

“All the Blues in the Sky,” written by Renée Watson and published by Bloomsbury Children’s Books, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing.

Newbery Honor Books

“The Nine Moons of Han Yu and Luli," written and illustrated by Karina Yan Glaser and published by Allida, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

”A Sea of Lemon Trees: The Corrido of Roberto Alvarez," written by María Dolores Águila and published by Roaring Brook Press, a division of Holtzbrinck Publishing.

”The Teacher of Nomad Land: A World War II Story," written by Daniel Nayeri and published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido.

”The Undead Fox of Deadwood Forest," written by Aubrey Hartman, illustrated by

Marcin Minor and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

Randolph Caldecott Medal

Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children.

“Fireworks,” illustrated by Cátia Chien, written by Matthew Burgess, and published by Clarion Books, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers.

Caldecott Honor Books

“Every Monday Mabel,” illustrated and written by Jashar Awan and published by Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

“Our Lake,” illustrated and written by Angie Kang and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin, Random House.

“Stalactite & Stalagmite: A Big Tale from a Little Cave”, illustrated and written

by Drew Beckmeyer and published by Atheneum Books for Young Readers, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children's Publishing.

“Sundust,” illustrated and written by Zeke Peña and published by Kokila, an imprint of Penguin Random House.

From the Ashes to Renewal: Poetry in Altadena

Poets Read for Altadena Strong

Michael Sedano

The afternoon of poetry marked the one year anniversary of the ruination of Altadena. The Eaton Fire destroyed homes and dreams and awakened a spirit calling itself “Altadena Strong.”

That strength showed its face in poems and presentation at the Altadena main library when Altadena Co-Poets Laureate Sehba Sarwar and Lester Graves Lennon hosted “From the Ashes to Renewal: Voices of Resilience In Altadena.”

Featured readers include Sesshu Foster, Robin D.G. Kelley, Elline Lipkin, Roberta H. Martinez, Andrew Wessels, Ruth Nolan, and Désirée Zamorano. Special guests were emerging writers, Pasadena High School students, Keily Sahagun and Emilia Cabrales. Open Mic readers include Susan Auerbach, Natalia Hinojos, Jerry Nashel, Beverly Lafontaine, Mary Fitzpatrick, and Jenari.

This was the final reading in the space. The building will be renovated for a year and future readings in the popular series are scheduled for local sites. On February 28 from 2-4, Loma Alta Park Gym hosts “Rooted In Us: Celebrating Black Writers and the Legacy of S. Pearl Sharp.” The same site hosts the March 28 reading, “When We Gather, We Heal, Indigenous Voices in Poetry.” Capping the Co-Laureates’ year is “Poetry & Cookies Twentieth Anniversary Book Festival,” at Altadena’s Bob Lucas Branch Library.

On February 21, an important workshop from 11-1 at the Loma Alta gym: “To Submit or Not, and Where and When with Lynne Thompson.” Lynne Thompson was the 4^th Poet Laureate for the City of Los Angeles.

All readings are livestreamed at youtube.com/AltadenaLibrary.

Featured Readers:
 

Sehba Sarwar, Co-Poet Laureate 

Lester Graves Lennon, Co-Poet Laureate 

Désirée Zamorano

Andrew Wessels

Ruth Nolan

Roberta H. Martinez

Elline Lipkin

Robin D.G. Kelley

Sesshu Foster

Keily Sahagun 

Emilia Cabrales

Open Mic Readers

Jenari

 Mary Fitzpatrick

Beverly Lafontaine

Jerry Nashel

Natalia Hinojos

Susan Auerbach

 

Young poets chat with a Poet Laureate while their English teacher looks on joyfully.

“Nuestros niños / Our Sons and Daughters” by Xánath Caraza

“Nuestros niños / Our Sons and Daughters” by Xánath Caraza

 

Xanath Caraza

Si es uno, diez mil o mil quinientos los perdidos, el dolor es el mismo, la indignación aún mayor.  No hay canciones de cuna a quien susurrar por las noches, las camas están vacías.  Ni a quien cobijar en las tardes frías, las casas están incompletas.  No hay fuego en el hogar.  Una generación adolorida.  No hay cuerpos que abrazar.  Niño mío, en la oscuridad te vislumbro.  Niña mía, en las garras de la maldad estás.  ¿Cómo alcanzar tus pequeñas manos?  ¿Cómo calmar tu sed?  ¿Cómo sentir tu aroma?  ¿Cómo escuchar tu dulce voz?  ¿Quién consolará tu hermosa alma?  ¿Tendrás qué comer?  ¿Quién dirá tu nombre con ternura?  ¿Quién rezará por ti con amor? Y, ¿en las noches de tormenta?  Niño mío, niña mía, ¿cómo sabrás que sigo junto a ti?

 

Xanath Caraza

Our Sons and Daughters

 

Whether it’s one, ten thousand, or fifteen hundred who are lost, the pain is still the same, the indignation even greater. There’s no one to listen to lullabies at night, the beds are all empty. No one to tuck in on cold evenings, the homes are still bare. There’s no warmth in the house, no fire in the hearth. A generation full of pain. No bodies to embrace. My son, through the darkness, I see you. My daughter, in the grasp of evil, you remain. How am I to reach your little hands? How can I quench your thirst? Sense your sweet aroma? Hear your darling voice? Who will soothe your precious soul? Is there food enough to eat? Who will say your name with true affection? Who will pray for you with love? And when the night is stormy, my son, my daughter, how will you know I am still by your side?

 

“Nuestros niños / Our Sons and Daughters” are part of  Corta la piel / It Pierces the Skin (FlowerSong Press, 2020). Corta la piel was originally written in Spanish and translated into the English by the students in Spanish 335: Translation at Lycoming College (Williamsport PA). Directed by Dr. Sandra Kingery. Students and translators; Caleb M. Beard, Abril M. Cardenas, Hanna Cherres, Joshua Josue Cruz-Avila, Angelina M. Fernandez, Luis Felipe Garcia Tamez, Elizabeth J. Hernandez, Galilea Landeros, Esmeralda Luna, Lyssett Ortuño, Rocio A. Quiñonez, Toussaint R., Karla I. Rios, Emily K. Sampsell, Michael Sanchez Palacios, Briana A. Tafoya-Saravia, Leví A. Tristán Aguirre, Aaron M. Willsea.

Corta la piel / It Pierces the Skin received bronze medal for the International Latino Book Awards in 2021 in the category The Juan Felipe Herrera Best Poetry Book Award—One Author—Bilingual.

Xanath Caraza