The American Library Association Announces Their 2025 Youth Media Award Winners

 

In addition to being these librarians' picks for the best books in each category, the ALA's 2025 Youth Media Award winners list is also a great way to be 'up' on the acclaimed books in the category you're working in.

And don't just check out the winners - explore the honor books as well.

Oh, and remember, just because a book—maybe your book—isn't on the list, that doesn't mean it doesn't have value. It doesn't mean it's not someone's favorite book. It just means other books rose to the list-makers' attention and delight. More on this here.

Given the millions (no exaggeration) of books published each year, award lists (like bestseller lists, or 'best of' lists) are helpful, but they are not the only fantastic books in each category.

Here's to working on our own fantastic books!

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee

What To Do When Your Book Is Not On The "Best of" List

As the end of 2024 approaches, it is the start of the season for "best of" children's book lists. I just saw one a few days ago that listed over 100 "best" children's books, and not one of my three 2024 releases was included. 

I was pretty disappointed, but processing my thoughts and emotions about it helped. In case you also don't find your book on a "best of" X, Y, Z list when you put your heart and soul into making it amazing, here's some things to consider:

1)
It's not YOU that didn't make the list. Your BOOK didn't make the list. This is not a judgment about you as a creator. If you can, try to take your ego out of this.

2)
Lists and awards are inherently subjective. In this case, other books rose to the list-maker's attention or delight. That doesn't mean they didn't enjoy your book, or that your book doesn't warrant praise too. It's completely possible given how many books are published each year that they haven't even seen your book yet, but they had to finalize their choices.

3)
It is okay to wish your book had been included, or won the award, or gotten the accolade. But note there is a difference between being jealous (kind of wishing it was your book and not someone else's book getting all the attention - like you would take it away from them if you could) and wistfulness (thinking it would have been great if your book had gotten attention as well.) We don't need to tear others down to feel good about ourselves.

4)
Your book probably has gotten some kind attention: A nice review, a reader who reached out with thanks, a great blurb from a colleague, and/or some other distinction. Enjoy that. Put it in your email signature. And recognize that there are probably folks whose book didn't get what your book did. In yoga, there's an expression about keeping your eye on your own mat, which means not comparing how you're doing with everyone else. You'll enjoy this KidLit journey more if you can avoid comparing your journey to other creators' journeys.

5)
Be kind to yourself. Not having your book included is disappointing, but your book out in the world can still touch hearts and minds and make an impact for the good. Not being on that list doesn't take anything away from the value of your book.

6)
There are probably some really good books on the list. Read one or two, just because it's great to know about other good books.

7)
Cheer your fellow KidLit creators on - whether their book is on the list or not. We're all in this together!

I hope that helps.

Illustrate, Translate, and Write On,
Lee

Seven things "Best of" Lists can teach us

We are awash in "best books" lists this time of year. NPR's Book Concierge Guide to 2016's Great Reads. The New York Times Notable Children's Books of 2016. The Association of Library Service To Children's Notable Children's Books 2016. I could go on and on and on (but I won't... And heck, if you're reading this, and you want more, you have an internet connection. Go for it.)

Amid all the list-reading, I decided to work out what we can learn from and do with these lists. I've come up with seven, but feel free to add your additional ideas in comments.

And without further ado, here's my list of what to do with these lists:

1. Play the game - a "best of" list is a scorecard of sorts, where we get to ask ourselves, how many of these have I read? The more you read, and liked, on a list, the smarter that list's judging committee. Or isn't that obvious?

2. Play the other game - how many of the authors and illustrators of those books have you met and/or seen speak at an SCBWI conference or book signing?

3. A "best of" list can suggest books we haven't read yet that we simply must check out, helping us build our personal "to read" list.

4. A "best of" list can be aspirational. Are there qualities in the selected books that you see in your own work? As you shape and craft your current work-in-progress, what qualities would have you place it on a "best of" list?

5. It's inspiration to look back on our year of reading and create our own "Best Of" list. What books do we still remember? What books still move us, weeks (or months) after reading them?

6. A reminder that the value of what we create is not solely determined by best of (or best-seller, or award) lists. The value of our work is determined in many ways, including our personal satisfaction with what we've created, the impact on a single reader, the conversations our work sparks... success of our endeavors has many, many definitions, and we can't fall into the fame-or-nothing mindset trap. Creative value is more interesting (and nuanced and complex) than that.

7. The differences between the many lists should remind (and re-assure) us that this is all subjective – and maybe everyone shouldn't take these lists so seriously. But having said that, being included on a "best of" list is absolutely something to celebrate.

Cheers to everyone on a "Best Of" list - even if it's a list of our own design!

Illustrate and Write On,
Lee