'easy fiction'

The American Library Association (ALA) recently announced their 2023 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 and 2022 award winners.

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

Children's Books

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award

Given to the author(s) and illustrator(s) of the most distinguished American book for beginning readers.

2023 Award Winner: I Did It! 

written and illustrated by Michael Emberley

Learning to ride a bike is hard. Can I do it? Yes, I can! A fun comic that kindergarteners and first graders can read on their own.
Easy Reader Blue // Ages 4 - 8

GEISEL HONOR BOOKS:

• Fish and Wave written and illustrated by Sergio Ruzzier
  An I Can Read Comic // Easy Reader Blue // Ages 4 - 8
• Gigi and Ojiji written and illustrated by Melissa Iwai
  An I Can Read Book // Easy Reader Green // Ages 4 - 8
• A Seed Grows written and illustrated by Antoinette Portis
  * Robert F. Sibert Informational Book (2023 Honor)
  Easy Nonfiction // Ages 4 - 8

Pura Belpré Award for Illustration

Given to a Latino/Latina illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

2023 Award Winner: Where Wonder Grows

written by Xelena González, illustrated by Adriana M. Garcia

A lyrical and stunning picture book about a grandmother bonding with her granddaughters as she teaches them how much they can learn from nature just by being curious.
Easy // Ages 3 - 7

PURA BELPRÉ HONOR BOOK:

• A Land of Books illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh
  Easy Nonfiction // Ages 4 - 8

More Children's Honor Books:

• Choosing Brave by written by Angela Joy, illustrated by Janelle Washington
  * Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal (2023 Honor)
  * Randolph Caldecott Medal (2023 Honor)
  * Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award (2023 Honor)
  Easy Nonfiction // Ages 6 - 10
• Berry Song written and and illustrated by Michaela Goade
  * Randolph Caldecott Medal (2023 Honor)
  Easy // Ages 4 - 8
• Nana, Nenek & Nina by written and illustrated by Liza Ferneyhough
  * Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Picture Book (2023 Honor)
  Easy // Ages 4 - 8
• Kapaemahu written by Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu, Dean Hamer and Joe Wilson, illustrated by Daniel Sousa
  * Stonewall Honor Book for Children’s Literature (2023 Honor)
  Easy Folklore // Ages 4 - 8
• In the Blue written and illustrated by Erin Houriganand
  * Schneider Family Young Children Honor (2023 Honor)
  Easy // Ages 4 - 8
• The Talk illustrated and written by Duncan Tonatiuh
  * Coretta Scott King Book Award: Youth Author (2023 Honor)
  Easy // Ages 4 - 8
• Sitting Shiva written by Erin Silver, illustrated by Michelle Theodore
  * Sydney Taylor Award from the Association of Jewish Libraries: Picture Book (2023 Honor)
  Easy // Ages 3 - 5

Junior Books

John Newbery Medal ⁽¹⁾ & Coretta Scott King Author Award ⁽²⁾

(1) For most distinguished contribution to American literature for children.
(2) Given to outstanding African American authors that demonstrate an appreciation of African American culture and universal human values.

2023 Award Winner: Freewater

by Amina Luqman-Dawson

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.
Junior // Ages 8 - 12

NEWBERRY HONOR BOOKS:

• Iveliz Explains It All written by Christina Soontornva
  Easy Nonfiction // Ages 10 - 14
• The Last Mapmaker written by Christina Soontornvat
  Easy Nonfiction // Ages 8 - 12
  * A Walter Dean Myers Honor Book for Teen Readers

Mildred L. Batchelder Award

For outstanding children's books originally published in a foreign language in a foreign country and subsequently translated into English.

2023 Award Winner: Just a Girl: A True Story of World War II

originally published in Italian written by Lia Levi, illustrated by Jess Mason

1938, Italy. Six-year-old Jewish girl Lia grows up during a difficult time of racial discrimination and war, and discovers light in unexpected places. A classic, powerful story adapted for young readers, with beautiful black-and-white illustrations, family photo album, and author’s note.
Nonfiction // Ages 8 - 12

Asian/Pacific American Award for Children's Literature

To honor and recognize individual work about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit.

2023 Award Winner: Maizy Chen’s Last Chance

by Lisa Yee

Eleven-year-old Maizy visits her estranged grandparents, who own and run a Chinese restaurant in Last Chance, MN; as her visit lengthens, she makes unexpected discoveries about her family's history and herself.
Junior // Ages 8 - 12

* John Newbery Medal (2023 Honor)

Pura Belpré Children’s Author Award

Given to a Latino/Latina writer whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth.

2023 Award Winner: Frizzy

written by Claribel A. Ortega, illustrated by Rose Bousamra

Marlene's--a young Dominican girl--greatest enemy is the hair salon! Through her struggles and triumphs, this heartwarming and gorgeous middle-grade graphic novel shows the radical power of accepting yourself as you are, frizzy curls and all.
Junior Graphic Novel // Ages 9+

PURA BELPRÉ AUTHOR HONOR BOOK:

• Tumble written by Celia C. Pérez
  Junior // Ages 4 - 8

Robert F. Sibert Informational Book Medal

For most distinguished informational book for youth.

2023 Award Winner: Seen and Unseen

written by Elizabeth Partridge and illustrated by Lauren Tamaki

This important work of nonfiction features powerful images of the Japanese American incarceration in America during World War II captured by three photographers—Dorothea Lange, Toyo Miyatake, and Ansel Adams—along with firsthand accounts of this grave moment in history.
Nonfiction // Ages 10+

* Winner of the BolognaRagazzi Award for Photography
* Named a Best Book of the Year by Booklist, Kirkus Reviews, School Library Journal, New York Public Library, Chicago Public Library, and others

More Children's Honor Books:

• In the Key of Us by written by Mariama J. Lockington
  * Stonewall Book for Children’s Literature (2023 Honor)
  Junior // Ages 8 - 12
• Honestly Elliott written by Gillian Dunn
  * Schneider Family Book Award: Middle Grade (2023 Honor)
  Junior // Ages 8 - 11 
• Hummingbird by written Natalie Lloyd
  * Schneider Family Book Award: Middle Grade (2023 Honor)
  Junior // Ages 8 - 12

Teen / YA Books

Young Adult Library Services Association Excellence in Young Adult Nonfiction Award

Honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults.

2023 Award Winner: Victory. Stand!: Raising My Fist for Justice

written by Tommie Smith and Derrick Barnes, illustrated by Dawud Anyabwile

On October 16, 1968, during the medal ceremony at the Mexico City Olympics, Tommie Smith, the gold medal winner in the 200-meter sprint, and John Carlos, the bronze medal winner, stood on the podium in black socks and raised their black-gloved fists to protest racial injustice inflicted upon African Americans. In his first-ever memoir for young readers, Tommie Smith looks back on his childhood growing up in rural Texas through to his stellar athletic career, culminating in his historic victory and Olympic podium protest.
Nonfiction Graphic Novel // Ages 8+ // e-book only

* Coretta Scott King Award: Author and Illustrator (2023 Honor)
* A School Library Journal Best Book of 2022
* Finalist for the 2022 National Book Award for Young People's Literature
* A Kirkus Reviews Best Book of the Year
* A School Library Journal Best Book of the Year
* A Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year
* A Booklist Best Book of the Year
* A Horn Book Fanfare Title

YALSA NONFICTION HONOR BOOK:

• Unequal: A Story of America written by Michael Eric Dyson and Marc Favreau
  Nonfiction // Ages 8+

Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature

Given to a book that exemplifies literary excellence in young adult literature.

2023 Award Winner: All My Rage

written by Sabaa Tahir

Growing up as outcasts in the small desert town in California, best friends Salahudin and Noor understand each other the way no one else does. Until "The Fight", which destroys their bond with the swift fury of a star exploding. What is their friendship worth—and what will it take to defeat the monsters in their pasts and the ones in their midst? A brilliant, unforgettable, and heart-wrenching contemporary novel of young love, family and forgiveness, love and loss, in a sweeping story that crosses generations and continents.
Young Adult // Ages 14 - 17

* National Book Award for Young People’s Literature (2022 Winner)

Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Author Award

To affirm new talent and to offer visibility to excellence in writing and/or illustration by African American authors and illustrators that reflect the African American experience.

2023 Award Winner: We Deserve Monuments

written by Jas Hammonds

What's more important: Knowing the truth or keeping the peace? When seventeen-year-old Avery moves to rural Georgia to live with her ailing grandmother, she encounters decade-old family secrets and a mystery surrounding the town's racist past. Family secrets, a swoon-worthy romance, and a slow-burn mystery collide in a YA debut that explores how racial violence can ripple down through generations.
Young Adult // Ages 14 - 18

* A School Library Journal Best Book of 2022
* A Kirkus Best Books of 2022
* A Parents Magazine Best Books of 2022
* People magazine's Best Children's Books of 2022

Alex Awards:

Given to ten books written for adults that have special appeal to young adults, ages 12 through 18.

• Daughter of the Moon Goddess  by Sue Lynn Tan
  Science Fiction
• I'm Glad My Mom Died by Jennette McCurdy
  Nonfiction / Memoir
• Solito by Javier Zamora
  Nonfiction / Memoir
• The Kaiju Preservation Society by John Scalzi
  Science Fiction
• True Biz by Sara Novic
  Fiction
• Wash Day Diaries by Jamila Rowser
  Graphic Novel

More Teen Honor Books:

• The Summer of Bitter and Sweet written by Jen Ferguson
  * Stonewall Honor Book for Young Adult Literature (2023 Honor)
  * William C. Morris YA Debut Award (2023 Finalist)
  Young Adult // Ages 13 - 17
• The Silence that Binds Us written by Joanna Ho
  * Asian/Pacific American Award for Youth Literature Honor (2023 Honor)
  Young Adult // Ages 14 - 17
• Ain’t Burned All the Bright illustrated by Jason Griffin, written by Jason Reynolds
  * Randolph Caldecott Medal (2023 Honor)
  Young Adult // Ages 12+

How many of you read The Happy Hollisters by Andrew E. Svenson under the pseudonym Jerry West? A series about a group of siblings that had fun adventures and solved mysteries. As a kid, I devoured them. So…did I read them to my kids and recommend them to my grandchildren?

Nope.

They were written at a different time, my youth. No one pointed out to the author or publisher that their biases were showing. There are all kinds of explanations I could share as to why that happened and how it was allowed. Important information and valuable to consider especially by a librarian, but isn't at the forefront of a lot of readers’ minds when choosing the next book.

Recommending a book is a gift. If a friend, sibling or teacher highly praises a book, it comes to mind when picking a title to read on the way to Grandmother’s house. Adults like it when Oprah or Reese Witherspoon put together a list, they start at the beginning and read from 1-10. If every 4th and 5th grader wants a Percy Jackson or Diary of a Wimpy Kid book because their friends are reading them, then only a limited number of kids will have their first choice. Others will have to find another title. How do they choose?

This is where personalized recommendations come into play. Library staff are super fantastic at suggesting similar titles. Please ask. We also have Staff Picks marked throughout the library if browsing is your approach. Find out what friends are reading and of course, ask Grandma (or Uncle, Cousin, Neighbor) what she read at your age. Be careful with the age reference unless you’re under 14. Remember you can be the one offering a suggestion. Yes, there are plenty of lists online professionally put together. All good places to start.

So do any of my childhood favorites show up in my children’s hands? I’ll be honest. Not many. There are all kinds of new books that I want to read and share, children’s, junior and adult varieties. Have you tried Elbow Grease by John Cena? This is about an electric car. Those didn’t even exist when I was little. The Fog Catcher’s Daughter by Marianne McShane. Monsters in the Briny by Lynn Becker. This one is for the grandchild that might like a little scare.

What about the rest of the family who need recommendations? 

• Dark Earth by Rebecca Stott is a good fantasy story with a strong sense of family. 
• Look! What Do You See? An art puzzle book by Bing Xu is a fun way to discover common American songs done in Chinese calligraphy. Great to share with curious elementary and older.
• I enjoyed Wolf Children. An anime DVD that reminded me of my sister and me. Please don’t tell. 
• An oldy but goody is Tracing Your Family History: The complete guide to locating your ancestors and finding out where you came from by Lise Hull. It explains the process so easily. 
• As we fill up on all of our favorite foods, my family will turn to how we’re going to eat better next year. I enjoyed Fix It with Food by Michael Symon. That recommendation will definitely sneak into the mix.

P.S. Swapping books during the holidays is great fun, too!

12 Interactive Picture Books

Do you remember the last time a book spoke to you? Now, I’m not talking about the one that deeply touched your heart. Rather, a book where the characters leap from the page and speak directly to you, the reader–otherwise known as “breaking the fourth wall.”

Perhaps yours was The Book with No Pictures or Harold and the Purple Crayon? The one that imprinted most clearly on me is the classic Sesame Street picture book “The Monster at the End of this Book” by Jon Stone. As you turn each page, cute furry Grover, afraid there is a monster at the end of the book, (rather adorably) begs you NOT to finish the book and constructs elaborate obstacles to thwart your progress. Of course, that only builds your own curiosity as to what exactly is at the end.

Breaking the fourth wall adds an interactive–often comedic–quality to picture books. Done right, the author reaches out and immerses you directly in the book's struggles, antics, and in some cases, even allows you to help the characters solve their problems. You are no longer simply a spectator of these stories—you are an active participant!

Are you and your little one ready to become part of the story? Check out these delightful, wall-breaking reads:

Reader Participation:

When your actions influence the story/book or contain call-and-response actions

High Five

by Adam Rubin & Daniel Salmieri

From the author of kid favorite Dragons Love Tacos! Animals present their hand slapping skills to the reader, just in time for the annual high five contest.

This Book Just Ate My Dog!

by Richard Byrne

When her dog disappears into the gutter of the book, Bella calls for help. But when the helpers disappear too, Bella realizes it will take more than a tug on the leash to put things right.

Can You Make a Scary Face?

by Jan Thomas

What kind of a face would you make if a tickly green bug were sitting on your nose? Or— eek!— inside your shirt? Could you make a scary face to frighten it away? Yes? Then better get to it!

Press Here

by Herve Tullet

Each page of this imaginative touch book instructs the reader to push the button, shake it up, tilt the book, and who knows what will happen next!

From Head to Toe

by Eric Carle

This energetic book will have young readers clapping their hands, stomping their feet, and wiggling their toes along with its colorful assortment of animals.

Characters Talk to the Reader:

First person perspective (ex: "I walked to the store") with a twist!

Life on Mars

by Jon Agee

In this sneaky, silly picture book, an intrepid—but not so clever—space explorer is certain he’s found the only living thing on Mars. Readers will love being in on a secret that is unbeknownst to the explorer.

Reader as Narrator:

A variation of character and reader interaction, where you become the narrator of the story

The Panda Problem

by Deborah Underwood & Hannah Marks

Every story needs a problem. But Panda doesn't have a problem. Lose control of the narrative in this delightful, funny, and adventurous ode to what makes a story—and what makes a story great.

Counting to Bananas

by Carrie Tillotson & Estrela Lourenço

A banana wants to be the star of this rhyming counting book, but the narrator has other plans.

The Book is Part of the Story:

Where the book itself becomes a character or story element

I Cannot Draw a Horse

by Charise Mericle Harper

This book can draw a shape. It is a "nothing shape" that can be used to draw a cat, beaver, bunny, dog, turtle, and bear...but what about a horse? The cat really wants a horse. But the book cannot draw a horse. Can the quick-draw book appease the horse-obsessed cat with an impressive collection of “nothing shape” alternatives?

We are in a Book!

by Mo Willems

Gerald and Piggie discover the joy of being read. But what will happen when the book ends? Mo Willems' Elephant & Piggie books usually have at least one fourth wall breaking moment per book but this one does away with the wall entirely!

Breaking Out of Character:

Characters who go in and out of character or make asides to the reader during the story--almost like getting a backstage pass to the action "on set"

Snappsy the Alligator (Did Not Ask to Be in This Book)

by Julie Falatko & Tim J. Miller

Snappsy the alligator is having a perfectly normal day when a pesky narrator steps in to spice up the story.

See the Cat: Three stories about a dog

by David LaRochelle & Mike Wohnoutka

What happens when the book gets it wrong? Max is not a cat--Max is a dog! But much to his dismay, this book keeps instructing readers to "see the cat." How can Max get through to the book that he is a dog? // Also check out the sequel: See the Dog: Three stories about a cat