Cooler but still well above normal this week

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all. 

Turn Up Your Support

The top awards for children's literature in 2024 were 

 at the American Library Association's annual Youth Media Awards. Author Dave Eggers won the John Newbery Medal, which is given to the most distinguished American children's book published the previous year, for his middle grade book 

, which was illustrated by Shawn Harris. Author and illustrator Vashti Harrison won the Randolph Caldecott Medal for the most distinguished American picture book for children, for her book 

last May, Eggers said that writing from the voice of a stray dog, as he does in 

, was "the most sort of liberating and joyful kind of writing I've ever done." 

 interview last May, said that the impetus for 

, which follows a little girl growing up, was "to make a story that followed a child on a journey towards self-love." Both 

Harrison is the first Black woman to win the Caldecott Medal; her book 

 was also awarded both Coretta Scott King author and illustrator honors on Monday as well. 

Five other Newbery honor books were also named Monday: 

 written and illustrated by Nasuġraq Rainey Hopson; 

, written by M.T. Anderson and illustrated by Junyi Wu; 

written and illustrated by Pedro Martín; 

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams

, written by Daniel Nayeri and illustrated by Daniel Miyares.

, illustrated and written by Marla Frazee; 

Jovita Wore Pants: The Story of a Mexican Freedom Fighter

 illustrated by Molly Mendoza and written by Aida Salazar; 

 illustrated by Jerome Pumphrey and Jarrett Pumphrey, and written by Jason Reynolds; and 

, illustrated by Hanna Cha, and written by Julie Leung.   

Arts and Culture

The Thread® - Books and Literary News

Anastasia Tsioulcas

Author

The top honors in this year's children's book awards from the American Library Association lauded Dave Egger's “The Eyes and the Impossible” and Vashti Harrison's picture book “Big.”

Dave Eggers wins Newbery, Vashti Harrison wins Caldecott in 2024 kids' lit prizes

Go Deeper.

Like this?

News you can use in your inbox