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The American Library Association (ALA) recently announced their 2025 Youth Media Awards which honors books, videos, and other outstanding materials for children and teens. Here are this year's winners and honorees we have in our catalog!

Looking for past award winners? Check out our posts for the 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024 award winners.

Jump to: Children's | Junior | Teen / YA

Children's Books

Randolph Caldecott Medal

For the most distinguished American picture book for children

2025 Award Winner: Chooch Helped

illus. by Rebecca Lee Kunz, written by Andrea L. Rogers

Sissy’s younger brother, Chooch, isn’t a baby anymore. They just celebrated his second birthday, after all. But no matter what Chooch does—even if he’s messing something up! Which is basically all the time!—their parents say he’s just “helping.” Sissy feels that Chooch can get away with anything! 
Easy Fiction // Ages 4 - 8

CALDECOTT HONOR BOOKS:

• Home in a Lunchbox by Cherry Mo
  Easy Fiction // Ages 4 - 8
• Noodles on a Bicycle written by Kyo Maclear, illus. by Gracey Zhang
  Easy Fiction // Ages 4-8

More 2025 Children's Honor Books:

• Coretta : the autobiography of Mrs. Coretta Scott King illus. by Ekua Holmes, written by Coretta Scott King
  * Coretta Scott King, Illustrator Honor
  Easy Fiction // Ages 4 - 8
• Go forth and tell: the life of Augusta Baker, librarian and master storyteller illus. by April Harrison, written Breanna J. McDaniel
  * Coretta Scott King, Illustrator Honor
  Easy Fiction // Ages 5 - 8
• Fox versus Fox by Corey R. Tabor
  *  Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor
  Easy Reader Fiction // Ages 4 - 8
• Towed by Toad by Jashar Awan                            
  *  Theodor Seuss Geisel Honor
  Easy Fiction // Ages 3 - 7
• Joyful Song: A Naming Story written by Lesléa Newman, illus. Susan Gal
  * Sydney Taylor Book Award Silver Medalist, Picture book
  Easy Fiction // Ages 4 - 8

Junior Books

Stonewall Book Award

To recognize exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience

2025 Award Winner: Lunar Boy

by Jes and Cin Wibowo 

Indu, a boy from the moon, feels like he doesn't belong. He hasn't since he and his adoptive mom disembarked from their spaceship--their home--to live on Earth with their new blended family. In a moment of loneliness, Indu calls out to the moon, begging them to take him back. And against all odds, the moon hears him and agrees to bring him home of the first day of the New Year. But as the promised day draws nearer, Indu must decide: is he willing to give up what he's just found?
Junior Graphic Novel // Ages 8 - 12

STONEWALL HONOR BOOK:

• The Flicker by H E Edgmon 
  Junior Fiction // Ages 9 - 12

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal

For most distinguished informational book for youth

2025 Award Winner: Life After Whale: The Amazing Ecosystem of a Whale Fall

written by Lynn Brunelle, illus. by Jason Chin

Follow a blue whale’s enormous body to the bottom of the ocean, where it sets the stage for a bustling new ecosystem to flourish.
Junior Nonfiction // Ages 4-8+

More 2025 Junior Honor Books:

• Just Shy of Ordinary by A. J. Sass 
  * Sydney Taylor Book Award Silver Medalist, Middle grade         
  Junior Fiction // Ages 8-12
• The Wrong Way Home by Kate O'Shaughnessy
  * Newbery Honor         
  Junior Fiction // Ages 10-12
• Shark Teeth by Sherri Winston 
  * Schneider Middle Grade Honor
  Junior Fiction // Ages 9-11

Teen / YA Books

William C. Morris Debut Award

Honors a debut book published by a first-time author writing for teens and celebrating impressive new voices in young adult literature

2025 Award Winner: Not Like Other Girls

by Meredith Adamo

When Jo-Lynn Kirby 's former best friend--pretty, nice Maddie Price--comes to her claiming to be in trouble, Jo assumes it's some kind of joke. There's no way Maddie would actually come to her for help. But then Maddie is gone. Everyone is quick to write off Maddie as a runaway, but Jo can't shake the feeling there's more to the story. To find out the truth, Jo needs to get back in with the people who left her behind...
Young Adult Fiction // Ages 14+

SYDNEY TAYLOR HONOR BOOK:

• Dead Things Are Closer Than They Appear by Robin Wasley
  Young Adult Fiction // Ages 14+

Coretta Scott King Book Award

Recognizes outstanding books for young adults and children by African Americans that reflect the African American experience

2025 Award Winner: Twenty-four Seconds from Now...: A Love Story

by Jason Reynolds

In a series of moments spanning two years, seventeen-year-old Neon navigates the progression of his relationship with Aria, culminating in a case of the jitters as the two intend to take the next big step in their relationship.
Young Adult Fiction // Ages 14+

YALSA Award for Excellence in Nonfiction

Honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18)

2025 Award Winner: Rising from the Ashes: Los Angeles, 1992 

Edward Jae Song Lee, Latasha Harlins, Rodney King, and a City on Fire

by Paula Yoo

A nuanced account of Los Angeles's 1992 uprising and its impact on its Korean and Black American communities--from the racism that created economically disadvantaged neighborhoods torn by drugs and gang-related violence to the tensions between the city’s minority communities. Woven throughout, and set against a minute-by-minute account of the uprising, are the voices of dozens others: police officers, firefighters, journalists, business owners, and activists whose recollections give texture and perspective to the events of those five days in 1992 and their impact over the years that followed.
Nonfiction // Ages 12+

More 2025 Teen Honor Books:

• Louder Than Hunger by John Schu 
  * Schneider Middle Grade Honor
  Young Adult Fiction // Ages 10+
• On the Bright Side by Anna Sortino 
  * Schneider Middle Grade Honor
  Young Adult Fiction // Ages 12+
• Time and Time Again by Chatham Greenfield
  * Stonewall Honor Books for Young Adult Literature
  Young Adult Fiction // Ages 13-17
• Dragonfruit by Makiia Lucier            
  * Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, Young Adult Honor
  Young Adult Fiction // Ages 14+
• Lunar New Year Love Story written by Gene Luen Yang, illus. by LeUyen Pham\
  *Asian/Pacific American Awards for Literature, Young Adult Honor
  Young Adult Graphic Novel // Ages 14+
• Dead Cat Tail Assassins by P. Djèlí Clark 
  * Alex Award Winner
  Fiction / Fantasy

Let’s Glow!

Grades K-5 // Glow crazy with neon crafts, games, and more on Tuesday, February 4 at 6pm. 

When the Sky Glows

by Nell Cross Beckerman 

Easy 551.565 BECKERMAN 

Sunrises and lightning storms, rainbows and volcanoes, meteors and eclipses, these beautiful, awe-inspiring events that light up the sky might seem like magic. But there is a fascinating scientific explanation for each. Nell Cross Beckerman’s playful and illuminating text and David Litchfield’s vibrant illustrations are certain to capture the curiosity of young sky watchers everywhere. 

Constellations

A Glow-in-the Dark Guide to the Night Sky
by Chris Sasaki 

Easy 523.8 SASAKI 

Children will see the stars shining brightly right in their own room with this glow-in-the-dark introduction to the night sky. Each constellation sparkles brilliantly on the page, and even as the luminous illustrations encourage stargazing, the kid-friendly text presents a perfect mix of simple science and storytelling.  

Blackout

by Dhonielle Clayton 

Young Adult CLAYTON 

A summer heatwave blankets New York City in darkness. But as the city is thrown into confusion, a different kind of electricity sparks… A first meeting, long-time friends, bitter exes, and maybe the beginning of something new. When the lights go out, people reveal hidden truths. Love blossoms, friendship transforms, and new possibilities take flight. 

Light Waves

by David Adler 

Easy 535 ADLER 

This kid-friendly introduction to the physics of light covers the basics of solar energy, the electromagnetic spectrum, photon particles, light scattering, and reflection and refraction. With accessible language, grounded examples, and easy, hands-on experiments you can do with household items, this colorful picture book is a perfect supplement to lessons on light waves, and a great way to explore the topic at home. 

If you need help accessing any of these titles or using front door pickup, email or call us and we will be happy to assist you!

Check out new arrivals in our catalog: Books | Audiobooks | DVDs | Videogames | Library of Things | Libby

Beat The Winter Blues

Thurs, Dec 12 @ 6:00pm

Shorter days and cold winter weather can leave you feeling less energized. Join Alluma, Inc. for this hands-on presentation as they share ways to avoid the winter blues. 

Breaking Through Depression

A guide to the next generation of promising research and revolutionary new treatments
by Philip Gold

616.8527 GOLD 2023 

Explores how the anatomy of the brain and the biochemistry of nerve impulses play a major role in how we view ourselves and the world. Drawing from his long-term research, Dr. Philip W. Gold makes the case for depression arising at the intersection of genetic vulnerability with stressful, disturbing life experiences that get encoded in our emotional memory. Breaking Through Depression will delve into the interplay between our anatomy and our lived experiences as the key to understanding why there are such individual differences in how we make connections with others, deal with adversity, or recover from trauma.   

A Cure for Darkness

The story of depression and how we treat it
by Alex Riley 

616.85 RILEY 

Is depression a persistent low mood, or is it a range of symptoms? Can it be expressed through a single diagnosis, or does depression actually refer to a diversity of mental disorders? Is there, or will there ever be, a cure? In seeking the answers to these questions, Riley finds a rich history of ideas and treatments, and takes the reader on a gripping narrative journey, packed with fascinating stories like the junior doctor who discovered that some of the first antidepressants had a deadly reaction with cheese. 

The Beasts in Your Brain

Understanding and Living with Anxiety and Depression
by Katherine Speller

616.852 SPELLER 

This is not your doctor's dry health pamphlet or a preachy self-care listicle. The Beasts in Your Brain is a guide and companion equally for you and your loved ones, here to provide that essential first dose of information, understanding, and validation about mental illness and how it affects the young people of today. This book knows how much harder things are for you and your generation, how out-of-touch much of the advice out there is (after all, how are you supposed to "just unplug" when more than half your social life is conducted online?), and how identity, circumstances, and stigma can affect your experiences. 

The Hilarious World of Depression

by John Moe 

616.85 MOE 

Inspired by the immediate success of his podcast, John Moe has written a remarkable investigation of the disease, part memoir of his own journey, part treasure trove of laugh-out-loud stories and insights drawn from years of interviews with some of the most brilliant minds facing similar challenges. Throughout the course of this powerful narrative, depression’s universal themes come to light, among them, struggles with identity, lack of understanding of the symptoms, the challenges of work-life, self-medicating, the fallout of the disease in the lives of our loved ones, the tragedy of suicide, and the hereditary aspects of the disease. 

If you need help accessing any of these titles or using front door pickup, email or call us and we will be happy to assist you!

Check out new arrivals in our catalog: Books | Audiobooks | DVDs | Videogames | Library of Things | Libby