NEWS

WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER 2021 Newbery Medal Winner; FIGHTING WORDS, THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO Respective Newbery, Caldecott Honors Books

Wonderful news from the January 25 session of the ALA Midwinter Meeting, an annual convocation, held virtually this year, dear to the nation’s library community. One of its most anticipated highlights is the bestowal of numerous prizes and recognition for previous year’s children’s and young adult fiction and nonfiction deemed to be of resonant literary and cultural importance. Chief among them is the Newbery Medal, awarded yearly to “the most distinguished American children’s book.” This year’s Newbery Medal winner is published by Random House Books for Young Readers:

WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER by Tae Keller

Would you make a deal with a magical Tiger? This uplifting story—edited by former RH Editor Chelsea Eberly, now edited by Caroline Abbey—brings Korean folklore to life as a girl goes on a quest to unlocking the power of stories and to save her grandmother.

More PRH titles newly honored with ALA-acknowledged recognition:

Newbery Honor Book

FIGHTING WORDS by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley (Dial Books for Young Readers)

Caldecott Honor Book

THE CAT MAN OF ALEPPO illustrated by Yuko Shimizu; written by Karim Shamsi-Basha and Irene Latham (G.P. Putnam’s Sons Books for Young Readers)

Sibert Honor Book

This award honors the most distinguished informational book published in English in the preceding year for its significant contribution to children’s literature

HOW WE GOT TO THE MOON: The People, Technology, and Daring Feats of Science Behind Humanity’s Greatest Adventure by John Rocco (Crown Books for Young Readers)

YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award Winner

The award honors the best nonfiction book published for young adults (ages 12-18).

THE RISE AND FALL OF CHARLES LINDBERGH by Candace Fleming (Schwartz & Wade)

Sydney Taylor Book Award Winner and Honor Books

For outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.

Middle Grade Winner

TURTLE BOY by M. Evan Wolkenstein (Delacorte Books for Young Readers)

Young Adult Winner

DANCING AT THE PITY PARTY by Tyler Feder (Dial Books for Young Readers)

Middle Grade Honor

THE BLACKBIRD GIRLS by Anne Blankman (Viking Books for Young Readers)

Middle Grade Notable

LETTERS FROM CUBA by Ruth Behar (Nancy Paulsen Books)

Young Adult Notables

THE POLIO PIONEER by Linda Elovitz Marshall, illustrated by Lisa Anchin (Knopf Books for Young Readers)

THE WAY BACK by Gavriel Savit (Knopf Books for Young Readers)

THE ASSIGNMENT by Liza Weimer (Delacorte Books for Young Readers)

POCKET CHANGE COLLECTIVE: THE NEW QUEER CONSCIENCE by Adam Eli (Penguin Workshop)

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature

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

Picture Book Winner

PAPER SON: The Inspiring Story of Tyrus Wong, Immigrant and Artist by Julie Leung, illustrated by Chris Sasaki (Schwartz & Wade)

Children’s Literature Winner

WHEN YOU TRAP A TIGER by Tae Keller (Random House Books for Young Readers)

Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature Honor Books

Picture Book Honor

DANBI LEADS THE SCHOOL PARADE by Anna Kim (Viking Books for Young Readers)

Children’s Literature Legacy Award Winner

Mildred D. Taylor (Viking Books for Young Readers author)

Michael L. Printz Award Honor Book

EVERY BODY LOOKING by Candice Iloh (Dutton Books for Young Readers)

Pura Belpré Award Honor Book

WE ARE NOT FROM HERE by Jenny Torres Sanchez (Philomel Books)

Theodor Seuss Geisel Award Honor Books

THE BEAR IN MY FAMILY by Maya Tatsukawa (Dial Books for Young Readers)

WHERE’S BABY? by Anne Hunter (Tundra Books, a Penguin Random House Canada imprint)

Coretta Scott King Award Winner

BEFORE THE EVER AFTER by Jacqueline Woodson (Nancy Paulsen Books)

Coretta Scott King Award Honor Books

LIFTING AS WE CLIMB: Black Women’s Battle for the Ballot Box by Evette Dionne (Viking Books for Young Readers)

ALL THE DAYS PAST, ALL THE DAYS TO COME by Mildred D. Taylor (Viking Books for Young Readers)

Stonewall Mike Morgan & Larry Romans Children’s & Young Adult Literature Award Honor Book

DARIUS THE GREAT DESERVES BETTER by Adib Khorram (Dial Books for Young Readers)

Schneider Family Book Award Middle School Honor Books

WHEN STARS ARE SCATTERED by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Victoria Jamieson and Iman Geddy (Dial Books for Young Readers)

GET A GRIP, VIVY COHEN! by Sarah Kapit (Dial Books for Young Readers)