10 Children's Book Awards Parents Need to Know

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Of the numerous awards granted each year for the best children and young adult books, these 10 are among the most distinguished. PCM will provide information throughout the year as each award winner is announced.

1	Newbery Medal
	Awarded by the American Library Association since 1922, the Newbery Medal is the most coveted award given to an author for America’s Best Children’s Book of the Year.

2	Caldecott Medal
	Awarded by the American Library Association since 1938, the Caldecott Medal is the most prestigious award given to an artist for the Best Illustrated Children’s Book of the Year.

3	Hans Christian Andersen Award
	Described as the “Nobel Prize” for children’s literature, and granted by International Board on Books for Children since 1956, this international award recognizes a body of work with “lasting contribution.” It is awarded every 2 years in 2 categories--for authors and for illustrators.

4	Horn Book Award
	Presented annually since 1967 by the Boston Globe and Horn Book Magazine for “excellence in children’s and young adult literature” this honor is granted in the three categories of Fiction and Poetry, Non-fiction, and Picture Book.

5	National Book Award - Young People's Literature
	Selected by writers for writers and granted by the National Book Foundation since 1969, this annual award selects America’s best in four categories, Young People’s Literature, and Fiction, Non-Fiction, and Poetry.

6	Coretta Scott King Award
	Presented annually since 1970 by the American Library Association to books by African-America authors and illustrators, this award recognizes excellence in promoting a deeper understanding of the African-American Experience.

7	Jefferson Cup Award
	Awarded since 1983 by the Virginia Library Association, the Jefferson Cup honors the authors of distinguished biography, historical fiction or American history books for young people.

8	Pura Belpré Award
	Named after the first Latina librarian at the New York Public Library and bestowed annually since 1996 to both a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator, this award recognizes outstanding literature portraying the Latino cultural experience.

9	Hugo Awards
	Granted annually since 1955 by the World Science Fiction Society, the Hugo is the most prestigious award for science fiction, and though not specifically meant for the young adult audience, Hugo winners, such as 1986 award winner Ender’s Game, have become enduring favorites of young adult readers.

10	Children’s Choice Awards
	Given since 1973 by the IRA (International Reading Association) and the CBC (Children’s Book Council,) this is an annual list of winning children’s and young adult books chosen by a process involving 12,500 school children reading and recommending their favorites from more than 500 books.