Each winter at the American Library Association (ALA) Midwinter Meeting, ALA honors outstanding books and authors with a variety of awards for excellence. You’ve probably heard of the Newbery and the Caldecott, but did you know that there’s also an award for debut authors writing for teens? Or an award for a children’s book written in a foreign language and published in a foreign country, and later translated into English for publication in the US? Each January, we look forward to seeing which authors and books are honored in these ALA awards. It’s so exciting to see a favorite book or author selected for a prize, and fun to learn about some truly awesome books that we haven’t read yet.

Check out the full list of 2021 ALA Youth Media Award Winners here, and continue reading below for some commentary from our Youth Services librarians.

Children's Books:

We Are Water Protectors illustrated by Michaela Goade, written by Carole Lindstrom
2021 Caldecott Medal Winner
OverDrive
Library Catalog
This book with its beautiful blues, rich coloration, and its Native American ode to protecting our planet’s most precious resource has been on my radar for some time. I featured the Library’s copy of We Are the Water Protectors in the Trove’s Celebrate Native American Heritage Month in November thinking I would read it after the display would go down. It had a hold on it so I sent it out, deciding it needed to be seen by others much more so than my reading it, and I still haven’t read it! I’m very glad though that I haven’t gotten my hands on it – it has been well-appreciated by so many readers already! Both the print copy we have here at the Library and the OverDrive eBook title have been very popular. And, it so deserves the Caldecott Award recognition! –Raquel

All Thirteen: The Incredible Cave Rescue of the Thai Boys' Soccer Team by Christina Soontornvat
2021 Newbery Medal Honor Book
OverDrive
Library Catalog
I'm super excited to read this book. I remember reading about this situation on the news and being curious, but the reviews have been so good about the writing of this book that I can't wait to read it! –Lauren

I Talk Like A River by Jordan Scott
2021 Schneider Family Book Award Winner
OverDrive
Hoopla
Library Catalog
This picture book looks like a winner. It is supposed to be beautiful and something with which any child can identify. The relationship between the father and son is one I would like my husband and son to emulate. –Lauren

Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
2021 Coretta Scott King Author Book Award
OverDrive
Library Catalog
This novel in verse tells the story of the brutal physical and heart-wrenching emotional cost of a pro football player’s glorious career upon himself and his family as experienced through the perspective of his young son and namesake – ZJ. I heard the audiobook of this a short time ago, and to me the center of the story was the deep love of a family for one another – I cried when Young ZJ’s mother states, “I love you ZJ – body, brain, and soul.” The story does not shy away from sadness, and anger, but it also is very hopeful. Dad has very bad days, but good days also; ZJ junior has a special musical bond with his dad, friends and family are both realistically wary and deeply supportive. The future seems to offer a realistic vision that ZJ and his family may not ever be able to go back to the “glory days,” but through their love and resiliency they will be alright. – Raquel

How We Got to the Moon: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity’s Greatest Adventure by John Rocco
2021 Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Award Winner
OverDrive
Library Catalog
This book is so beautifully illustrated. After watching the Space X trip to the International Space Station with my young children over the summer, I’m excited to find a book that will help continue their interest in space exploration. –Kat

¡Vamos! Let’s Go Eat illustrated and written by Raúl Gonzalez
2021 Pura Belpré Youth Illustrator Award Winner
OverDrive
Library Catalog
This book made me so hungry I wanted to go and order everything take-out from my favorite Mexican restaurant, Tomatillo! The Where’s Waldo-esque illustration spreads of food trucks and their wares by Raul Gonzalez are incredibly fun and detailed, and the vibrant pastel colors by Elaine Bay pop with joy. The Glossary of Mexican foods at the end is mouth-watering too! –Raquel

Young Adult Books:

Solutions and Other Problems by Allie Brosh
2021 Alex Award Winner
OverDrive
Library Catalog
I loved Brosh’s Hyperbole and a Half, a graphic novel that addresses topics ranging from depression to canine intelligence with clarity and truth. I laughed, I cried, I felt seen. I’ve been hoping she’d write a second book for years, and can’t wait to read it! –Kat

Stamped: Racism, Antiracism, and You by Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi
2021 Odyssey Award Honor Audiobook
OverDrive
Library Catalog
Stamped certainly wins the award for “Book Kat Read the Most Times in 2020.” Jason Reynolds lays out the history of racism in America in an approachable, eye-opening way; listening to Reynolds narrate the audiobook in his conversational style elevates the experience. –Kat

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn
2021 Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award Winner
OverDrive
Library Catalog
This one has been on my to-read list for a while, but it’s just moved up a few notches. Boarding school, magic, a spin on the King Arthur legend, a diverse cast of characters… what’s not to love? –Kat