LibGuides: Young Adult Literature: Diversity Awards

2023 Diversity Awards

Freewater by Amina Luqman-Dawson
Call Number: EBOOK
ISBN: 9780316056748
Publication Date: 2022-02-01
Newbery Medal, 2023
Coretta Scott King Author Medal, 2023
After fleeing the plantation where they were enslaved, siblings Ada and Homer discover the secret community of Freewater, and work with freeborn Sanzi to protect their new home from the encroaching dangers of the outside world.
Victory. Stand! Raising My Fist for Justice by Tommie Smith; Derrick Barnes
Call Number: [Juv.] GV697.S65 A3 2022
ISBN: 9781324003908
Publication Date: 2022-09-27
Coretta Scott King Award Finalist, 2023
National Book Award Finalist, 2022
The Talk by Alicia D. Williams; Briana Mukodiri Uchendu (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781534495296
Publication Date: 2022-10-18
Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, 2023
Star Child by Ibi Zoboi
Call Number: EBOOK
ISBN: 9780399187384
Publication Date: 2022-01-25
Coretta Scott King Author Honor, 2023
Swim Team by Johnnie Christmas (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.7.C457 Sw 2022
ISBN: 9780063056770
Publication Date: 2022-05-17
Coretta Scott King Author and Illustrated Honor Book. 2023
Bree can’t wait for her first day at her new middle school, Enith Brigitha, home to the Mighty Manatees--until she’s stuck with the only elective that fits her schedule, the dreaded Swim 101. The thought of swimming makes Bree more than a little queasy, yet she’s forced to dive headfirst into one of her greatest fears. Lucky for her, Etta, an elderly occupant of her apartment building and former swim team captain, is willing to help.

Frizzy by Claribel A. Ortega; Rose Bousamra (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.7.O778 Fr 2022
ISBN: 9781250259622
Publication Date: 2022-10-18
Pura Belpre Children's Author Medal, 2023
The Coquíes Still Sing by Karina Nicole González; Krystal Quiles (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9781250787187
Publication Date: 2022-08-23
Pura Belpre Children's Author Honor Book, 2023
Pura Belpre Children's Illustrator Honor Book, 2023
Co-quí, co-quí! The coquí frogs sing to Elena from her family’s beloved mango tree--their calls so familiar that they might as well be singing, "You are home, you are safe." But home is suddenly not safe when a hurricane threatens to destroy everything that Elena knows.
The Notebook Keeper by Stephen Briseño; Magdalena Mora (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780593307069
Publication Date: 2022-06-28
Pura Belpre Children's Author Honor Book, 2023
Tumble by Celia C. Pérez
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.P44747 Tum 2022
ISBN: 9780593325179
Publication Date: 2022-08-16
Pura Belpre Children's Author Honor Book, 2023
Srta. Quinces (Miss Quinces) by Kat Fajardo (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ73.7.F35 Sr 2022
ISBN: 9781338535655
Publication Date: 2022-05-03
Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book, 2023
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester
Call Number: EBOOK
ISBN: 9780358536789
Publication Date: 2022-05-10
Schneider Family Teen Honor Book, 2023
Pura Belpre Author Honor Book, 2023
High Spirits: Short Stories on Dominican Diaspora by Camille Gomera-Tavarez
Call Number: EBOOK
ISBN: 9781646141296
Publication Date: 2022-04-12
Pura Belpre Young Adult Honor Book, 2023
This is a collection of eleven interconnected short stories about one extended family representing multiple generations living in the Dominican diaspora. Stories explore machismo, mental health, family, and identity.
Burn down, Rise Up by Vincent Tirado
Call Number: EBOOK
ISBN: 9781728246000
Publication Date: 2022-05-03
Pura Belpre Young Adult Medal, 2023
When an urban legend rumored to trap people inside subway tunnels seems to be behind mysterious disappearances in the Bronx, sixteen-year-old Raquel and her friends team up to save their city--and confront a dark episode in its history in the process.

COMING SOON!

Hummingbird by Natalie Lloyd
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.L7784 Hu 2022
ISBN: 9781338654585
Publication Date: 2022-08-02
Schneider Family Middle School Honor Book, 2023
Twelve-year-old Olive suffers from brittle bone disease and has been homeschooled all her life. When she is finally allowed to attend school in person, she soon discovers fitting in is not that easy. Olive hopes to find the magical wish-granting hummingbird that supposedly lives nearby. If she can prove herself worthy, maybe her deepest wish will be granted.
Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester
Call Number: EBOOK
ISBN: 9780358536789
Publication Date: 2022-05-10
Schneider Family Teen Honor Book, 2023
Pura Belpre Author Honor Book, 2023

The Real Riley Mayes by Rachel Elliott (Illustrator)
ISBN: 9780062995759
Publication Date: 2022-05-03
Stonewall Children's Award Honor Book, 2023
In the Key of Us by Mariama J. Lockington
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.L6235 In 2022
ISBN: 9780374314101
Publication Date: 2022-04-26
Stonewall Children's Honor Book, 2023
While twelve-year-old Andi has suffered from anxiety attacks ever since her mother died ten months ago, Zora starting hurting herself whenever she feels out of control; they are both at Camp Harmony, an elite summer music camp, trying to deal with their problems and also the stress of competition--but as the summer passes they find themselves increasingly drawn to each other, and maybe not just as friends.

2022 Diversity Awards

Revolution in Our Time: the Black Panther Party's Promise to the People by Kekla Magoon
Call Number: [Juv.] E185.615 .M238 2021
ISBN: 9781536214185
Publication Date: 2021
Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, 2022
Printz Honor Book, 2022
National Book Award Finalist, 2021
Unspeakable: The Tulsa Race Massacre by Carole Boston Weatherford; Floyd Cooper (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] F704.T92 W43 2021
ISBN: 1541581202
Publication Date: 2021
Coretta Scott King Award, 2022
Caldecott Honor Book, 2022
Texas Bluebonnet Selection, 2023
The People Remember by Ibi Zoboi; Loveis Wise (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] E185 .Z636 2021
ISBN: 9780062915641
Publication Date: 2021
Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, 2022

De Aquí Como el Coquí by Nomar Perez (Illustrator); Farah Perez (Translator)
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ73 .P4667 2021
ISBN: 9780593324073
Publication Date: 2021
Pura Belpre Author Honor Book, 2022
Pura Belpre Illustrator Honor Book, 2022
When Miguel and his parents move from Puerto Rico to the U.S. mainland, Miguel misses their home, his grandparents, and his pet frog, Coquí, but he soon realizes that New York City has more in common with back home than he originally thought.

We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.C497 We 2020
ISBN: 9780358131434
Publication Date: 2020
Asian/Pacific American Honor Book, 2022
National Book Award Finalist, 2020
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.L778786 Las 2021
ISBN: 9780525555254
Publication Date: 2021
Stonewall Award, 2022
Printz Honor Book, 2022
National Book Award, 2021

A Bird Will Soar by Alison Green Myers
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.M92 Bi 2021
ISBN: 9780593325674
Publication Date: 2021
Schneider Middle Grades Award, 2022
Stuntboy, in the Meantime by Jason Reynolds; Raúl the Raúl the Third (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.R33593 Stu 2021
ISBN: 9781534418165
Publication Date: 2021
Schneider Middle Grades Honor Book, 2022
A Kind of Spark by Elle McNicoll
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.M46475 Ki 2021
ISBN: 9780593374252
Publication Date: 2021
Schneider Middle Grades Honor Book, 2022
Song for a Whale by Lynne Kelly
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.K29639 Son 2019
ISBN: 9781524770235
Publication Date: 2019-02-05
Schneider Family Middle Grade Award, 2020

We Are Not Free by Traci Chee
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.C497 We 2020
ISBN: 9780358131434
Publication Date: 2020
Asian/Pacific American Honor Book, 2022
National Book Award Finalist, 2020
Last Night at the Telegraph Club by Malinda Lo
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.L778786 Las 2021
ISBN: 9780525555254
Publication Date: 2021
Stonewall Award, 2022
Printz Honor Book, 2022
National Book Award, 2021

2021

Efrén Divided by Ernesto Cisneros
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.C568 Efr 2020
ISBN: 9780062881687
Publication Date: 2020-03-31
Pura Belpre Author Award, 2021
Texas Bluebonnet Selection, 2022
The Total Eclipse of Nestor Lopez by Adrianna Cuevas
ISBN: 9780374313609
Publication Date: 2020-07-21
Pura Belpre Author Honor Book, 2021
A Cuban American boy must use his secret ability to communicate with animals to save the inhabitants of his town when they are threatened by a tule vieja, a witch that transforms into animals.
When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson (Illustrator); Omar Mohamed; Iman Geddy (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] HV640.5.S8 J36 2020
ISBN: 9780525553915
Publication Date: 2020
Schneider Honor Award for Middle Grades, 2021
National Book Award Finalist, 2020
Omar and his younger brother Hassan live in a refugee camp, and when an opportunity for Omar to get an education comes along, he must decide between going to school every day or caring for his nonverbal brother in this intimate and touching portrayal of family and daily life in a refugee camp.
Show Me a Sign by Ann Clare LeZotte
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.L59114 Sh 2020
ISBN: 9781338255812
Publication Date: 2020-03-03
Schneider Award Winner for Middle Grades, 2021
Mary Lambert has always felt safe and protected on her beloved island of Martha’s Vineyard. Her great-great-grandfather was an early English settler and the first deaf islander. Now, in 1805, over a hundred years later, many people there -- including Mary -- are deaf, and nearly everyone can communicate in sign language. Mary has never felt isolated. She is proud of her lineage. But recent events have delivered winds of change. Mary’s brother died, leaving her family shattered. Tensions over land disputes are mounting between English settlers and the Wampanoag people. And a cunning young scientist has arrived, hoping to discover the origin of the island’s prevalent deafness. His maniacal drive to find answers soon renders Mary a "live specimen" in a cruel experiment. (Written by a deaf author and based upon a true story.)
Before the Ever After by Jacqueline Woodson
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.5.W67 Bc 2020
ISBN: 9780399545436
Publication Date: 2020-09-01
Coretta Scott King Author Award Winner, 2021
ZJ’s friends Ollie, Darry and Daniel help him cope when his father, a beloved professional football player, suffers severe headaches and memory loss that spell the end of his career.

2020

Cursed by Karol Ruth Silverstein
ISBN: 9781580899406
Publication Date: 2019-06-25
Schneider Family Teen Award Winner, 2020
Like a Love Story by Abdi Nazemian
ISBN: 9780062839367
Publication Date: 2019-06-04
Stonewall Honor Book, 2020
Look Both Ways by Jason Reynolds; Alexander Nabaum (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.R33593 Loo 2019
ISBN: 9781481438285
Publication Date: 2019-10-08
National Book Award Finalist, 2019
Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book, 2020
New Kid by Jerry Craft (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.7.C74 New 2019
ISBN: 9780062691200
Publication Date: 2019-02-05
Newbery Medal, 2020
Coretta Scott King Author Award, 2020
Texas Bluebonnet Selection, 2021
The Other Half of Happy by Rebecca Balcárcel
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.B3556 Ot 2019
ISBN: 9781452169989
Publication Date: 2019-08-20
Pura Belpre Author Honor Book, 2020
Pet by Akwaeke Emezi
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.E474 Pet 2019
ISBN: 9780525647072
Publication Date: 2019-09-10
Stonewall Honor Book, 2020
National Book Award Finalist, 2019
Planting Stories: the Life of Librarian and Storyteller Pura Belpré by Anika Aldamuy Denise; Paola Escobar (Illustrator)
Call Number: [Juv.] Z720.B426 D47 2019
ISBN: 9780062748683
Publication Date: 2019-01-15
Pura Belpre Author Honor Book, 2020
Sal and Gabi Break the Universe by Carlos Hernández
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.H4943 Sal 2019
ISBN: 9781368022828
Publication Date: 2019-03-05
Pura Belpre Author Award, 2020
The Silence Between Us by Alison Gervais
ISBN: 9780310766162
Publication Date: 2019-08-13
Schneider Family Teen Honor Book, 2020
Tristan Strong Punches a Hole in the Sky by Kwame Mbalia
Call Number: [Juv.] PZ7.1.M395 Tri 2019
ISBN: 9781368039932
Publication Date: 2019-10-15
Soldier for Equality by Duncan Tonatiuh
ISBN: 9781419736827
Publication Date: 2019-09-03
Pura Belpre Author Honor Book, 2020

About the Awards

The American Library Association gives book awards in several categories that honor diverse populations and cultures in young adult and children's literature. I have selected a few of these awards to highlight and include in the TCU Library Collection.

The Corretta Scott King Awards are given to African American authors and illustrators who demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.

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 Pura Belpre Book 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 Stonewall Book Awards honor books for exceptional merit relating to the gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender experience.

Subject Guide

Robyn Reid

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