2025 Award Winners!
A John Newbery Honor Book
A Coretta Scott King Author Honor Book
A RISE: Feminist Book Project Book
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book
Holiday House
HC: 9780823450169 • PB: 9780823460625 • eBook: 9780823457496
Educator’s Guide Available
★ “Cline-Ransome once again demonstrates her incredible literary skills. . . a deeply moving story that centers a distinctive part of the African American story.”—Kirkus Reviews
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
One of Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids
A CSMCL Best Multicultural Children’s Book of the Year
A Robert F. Sibert Medal Winner
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book
Neal Porter Books
HC: 9780823452286 • eBook: 9780823459254
Lesson Plan Available
EIGHT STARRED REVIEWS!
★ “An exquisite ode to the largest documented animal on Earth.”—Shelf Awareness
An Orbis Pictus Honor Book
A Junior Library Guild Gold Standard Selection
One of Evanston Public Library’s 101 Great Books for Kids
A Chicago Public Library Best Book of the Year
A Michael L. Printz Honor Book
Peachtree Teen
HC: 9781682636121 • eBook: 9781682637395
Reading Group Guide Available
SEVEN STARRED REVIEWS!
★ “Tremendously suspenseful. . . Unflinching and empowering.”—Kirkus Reviews
Sept/Oct 2024 Kids’ Indie Next
Instant New York Times bestseller
Instant USA Today Bestseller
Instant Indie Bestseller
A Kirkus Reviews Best Books of the Year
A School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
A Publishers Weekly Best Books of the Year
A Booklist Editors’ Choice: Books for Youth
A Chicago Public Library Best of the Best
A Shelf Awareness Best Books of the Year
The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books Blue Ribbon Recipient
A Paste Magazine Best YA Books
The Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner
Carole Boston Weatherford
“Weatherford’s powerful storytelling illuminates forgotten struggles and unsung heroes, inspiring young readers to embrace their heritage and seek justice.”—Children’s Literature Legacy Award Committee Chair Jason Miles Driver Sr.
HC: 9780763697945
eBook: 9781536240573
HC: 9781536212976
eBook: 9781536234602
Teacher’s Guide Available
A Schneider Family Book Award Honor Book
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book
Candlewick Press
HC: 9781536229097 • PB: 9781536232523 • eBook: 9781536234206
TWO STARRED REVIEWS!
★ “An unflinching depiction of resistance and disordered eating recovery.”—Publishers Weekly
A UKLA Book Award Long-listed Title
A Carnegie Medal Nominee
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book Selection
A Mildred L. Batchelder Honor Book
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book
Candlewick Press
HC: 9781536233391
★ “Ludwig, making a picture book debut, establishes a subtly enthralling, adagio-like rhythm aptly punctuated with the word rising.”—Publishers Weekly
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book Selection
A Sydney Taylor Honor Book
Holiday House
HC: 9780823451647 • eBook: 9780823457724
★ “A commendable addition to library collections focused on immigration, little-known historical figures, and the pivotal role of language and the written word in shaping the immigrant experience.”—School Library Journal
A Sydney Taylor Honor Book
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book
Candlewick Press Studio
HC: 9781536225495
TWO STARRED REVIEWS!
★ “A clever, compassionate, and elegantly wrought reminder to do what makes you happy.”—Kirkus Reviews
A Sydney Taylor Notable Book
HC: 9780823455560 • eBook: 9780823461424
“Rendered with sensitivity and colorful, dramatic images, this is a cautionary tale about antisemitism, and a hopeful one about community support.”—Jewish Book Council
2026 ALSC Children’s Literature Lecture Speaker
Cynthia Leitich Smith
Candlewick Press
HC: 9781536204995 • PB: 9781536228663 • eBook: 9781536237368
A RISE: A Feminist Book List Top Ten Selection
Holiday House
HC: 9780823454808 • eBook: 9780823461295
A RISE: A Feminist Book Project Book
A 2025 Rainbow Book List Book
Peachtree Teen
HC: 9781682636114 • PB: 9781682638149 • eBook: 9781682636183
An Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Golden Duck Notable Book
An ALSC Notable Children’s Book
Candlewick
HC: 9781536227680 • eBook: 9781536237085
An Excellence in Children’s and Young Adult Science Fiction Golden Duck Notable Book
Candlewick
HC: 9781536226164
ALSC Notable Children’s Books
YALSA Best Fiction for Young Adults
Holiday House
Reading Group Guide Available
HC: 9780823453863 • PB: 9780823460595 • eBook: 9780823457410
Candlewick Press
Discussion Guide Available
HC: 9781536231113 • PB: 9781536239911 • eBook: 9781536234183
Peachtree Teen
Reading Group Guide Available
HC: 9781682635766 • PB: 9781682638064 • eBook: 9781682636404
Holiday House
HC: 9780823456345 • eBook: 9780823459346
A YALSA Quick Picks for Reluctant Readers Book
Candlewick Press
HC: 9781536223125 • eBook: 9781536240139
Best Comics and Graphic Novels for Children
YALSA Great Graphic Novels for Teens
Walker Books US
HC: 9781536217889 • PB: 9781536217896 • eBook: 9781536237863
Holiday House
HC: 9780823453160 • PB: 9780823456819 • eBook: 9780823457571
Stock up on all our recent winners
A Coretta Scott King-John Steptoe New Talent Illustrator Award Winner
These authors and illustrators are available for virtual events! Please email Assistant Director of Publicity Sara DiSalvo: sara.disalvo@walkerbooksgroup.com to set one up.