Children and Young Adult Literature

The American Indian Youth Literature Award (AIYLA) was created as a way to identify and honor the very best writing and illustrations by and about American Indians. Books selected to receive the award will present American Indians in the fullness of their humanity in either past or present contexts. Nominations may be fiction or non-fiction. There may be up to three awards given every two years - Best Picture Book, Best Middle School Book, and Best Young Adult Book.

The Américas Award is given in recognition of U.S. works of fiction, poetry, folklore, or selected non-fiction (from picture books to works for young adults) published in the previous year in English or Spanish that authentically and engagingly portray Latin America, the Caribbean, or Latinos in the United States. Sponsored by sponsored by the national Consortium of Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP).

The purpose of the Arab American Book Awards is to inspire authors, educate readers and foster a respect and understanding of the Arab American culture. Categories include Children or Young Adult, Fiction and Non-Fiction.

The goal of this award is to honor and recognize individual work about Asian/Pacific Americans and their heritage, based on literary and artistic merit. Award categories include: picture book, fiction for children and fiction for young adults.

The Astrid Lindgren Memorial Award (ALMA) is the world's largest award for children's and young adult literature. The award amounts to SEK 5 million and is given annually to a single laureate or to several. Authors, illustrators, oral storytellers and reading promoters are eligible for the award, which is designed to promote interest in children's and young adult literature. The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is the foundation of our work. An expert jury selects the laureate(s) from candidates nominated by institutions and organisations all over the world

This award is given to an African American author and illustrator for outstanding inspirational and educational contributions. The Coretta Scott King Book Award titles promote understanding and appreciation of the culture of all peoples and their contribution to the realization of the American dream of a pluralistic society. Award winners must portray some aspect of the black experience, past, present, or future.

The EJK New Writer Award was established in 1985 to encourage and celebrate up-and-coming authors of picture books written in the tradition of Keats­—that is, with original, well-told stories that reflect the universal qualities of childhood and the multicultural nature of our world. The goal is to help writers continue to create outstanding picture books for a diverse audience. The New Illustrator Award was added in 2001 to reward originality of artistic expression as well.

The Jane Addams Children's Book Awards are given annually to the children's books published the preceding year that effectively promote the cause of peace, social justice, world community, and the equality of the sexes and all races as well as meeting conventional standards for excellence.

Every January, the American Library Association recognizes the most original and creative books and other media for children and teenagers. The ALA Youth Media Awards include the prestigious Newbery, Caldecott, and Coretta Scott King Book Awards.

...honoring children's books, aimed at young readers (ages 6 - 10) and young adults (ages 11+), which deal with issues of tolerance, diversity, human understanding and social justice, thus inspiring readers to promote positive change in the world.

The Belpré Award is presented annually to a Latino/Latina writer and illustrator whose work best portrays, affirms, and celebrates the Latino cultural experience in an outstanding work of literature for children and youth. Co-sponsored by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), and REFORMA, the National Association to Promote Library and Information Services to Latinos and the Spanish-Speaking, an ALA affiliate.

The Sydney Taylor Book Award is presented annually to outstanding books for children and teens that authentically portray the Jewish experience.

This page contains a compilation of sites that offer recommendations for diverse titles. The list is not exhaustive.

From the Anti-Defamation League. Representative of the excellent multicultural and anti-bias literature available today for early childhood and elementary aged children. Searchable by over 20 cultural groups.