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For those passionate about youth literature, the annual Youth Media Awards presented by librarians who are part of the American Library Association (ALA) are like the Grammys, the Emmys, and the Oscars all at once. Over the course of the last year, librarians have dedicated their time and energy to reading a LOT of books. They engage in lively discussions about the requirements of the award for which they’re reading in order to determine which books deserve to be crowned the best of the best.
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This year’s Youth Media Awards (YMAs) open a new chapter for the ALA and its designation of the best of the best in youth literature. Once part of the Association’s annual Midwinter Meeting–later re-envisioned as ALA LibLearnX–and one of the most anticipated events by youth literature enthusiasts, with a packed theater of attendees eager to cheer for the winning titles, the YMAs are now a stand alone event. This comes as the ALA closes out its long-running winter events.
The inaugural stand alone YMA event was held in Chicago on January 26, 2026, at the Hilton, attended by awards committee members, local librarians, literature lovers, and the media. Hundreds arrived amid a record-breaking cold snap and upwards of 10 inches of snow to celebrate all things youth literature. The energy was high and excitement hard to contain, with many noting that this stand alone event really helped create a special feeling. ALA’s Executive Director Daniel Montgomery also noted in his opening address that the YMAs opened the 150th anniversary of the American Library Association.
Here are the winners and finalists across an array of categories for the youth media awards. You’ll find the best of the best in audiobooks, picture books, juvenile literature, picture books, middle grade, and young adult offerings from the past year. This is a veritable treasure trove of good reading as selected and championed by librarians nationwide.
This award honors the most distinguished contribution to American literature for children in a given year.
This award is given to the artist/illustrator for the most distinguished American picture book for children.
This award honors the most distinguished work of young adult literature in a year.
This award honors the author and illustrator of the best American book for beginning readers. It must be published in English in the US
This award honors an author or an illustrator whose work has made a lasting contribution to literature for children.
This honors a writer, critic, researcher, or other devotee of children’s literature with the opportunity to prepare a paper considered to be a significant contribution to the field of children’s literature.
This award is presented for lifetime achievement in writing for young adults.
This award honors the author and illustrator of the most distinguished informational book published in the US in English.
This award goes to the publisher for a book published for children considered to be an outstanding contribution to translated literature.
These awards honor the best in children’s literature about Asian American and Pacific Islander American culture and heritage.
These awards honor the best in Jewish literature, highlighting the Jewish experience, for young readers.
These awards honors Latine authors and illustrators whose work celebrates the Latine experience.
These awards honor the best books by African American authors and illustrators.
In even years, this award is given to the best writing and illustrations by and about Native and Indigenous people.
These awards honor the best books representing the disability experience.
These awards are for excellence in LGBTQ+ books published in English.
This award is given to the best debut young adult book.
This award honors the best in nonfiction written for young adults.
These awards honor the best books published for adults but with excellent appeal to young adults.
These are given to outstanding audiobooks for children and young adults.
These aren’t the only “best of” youth literature honors, either. Throughout the week, we’ll see even more lists of excellent books for young readers emerging. Keep an eye out for Children’s Notables, the Rainbow List, RISE: A Feminist Book Project, the Best Fiction for Young Adults, and Great Graphic Novels for Teens. The links will take you to the landing pages for those lists, and the newest lists will include the year 2026 in the title–some are live now and others will be soon.
Additional lists to check out include the new Outstanding Comics for Young Adults Awards and the Outstanding Comics for Children Awards.
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