‘Halfway to Somewhere’ and ‘One of the Boys’ win 2026 Stonewall Children’s and Young Adult Literature Awards

CHICAGO — “Halfway to Somewhere,” written and illustrated by Jose Pimienta, and published by RH Graphic, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House, and “One of the Boys,” by Victoria Zeller, published by Arthur A. Levine, an imprint of Levine Querido, are the 2026 recipients of the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award. 

The awards were announced today by the American Library Association’s (ALA) Stonewall Book Awards – Children’s & Young Adult Committee of the Rainbow Round Table, during the ALA’s Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.  

The Stonewall Book Award – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Awards are given annually to English-language works of exceptional merit for children or teens relating to the LGBTQIA+ experience. The award will be presented to the winning authors or editors at the ALA Annual Conference & Exhibition in Chicago in June. 

“We adore these stories of characters who are complex, resilient, and joyful additions to the queer canon, claiming their places in the loving communities they deserve,” said Stonewall Book Awards – Children’s and Young Adult Committee Co-chairs Elisa Gall and Charlie Roos. 

One Stonewall Book Award — Children’s Award Book was named: “Halfway to Somewhere.”

In this nuanced graphic novel, nonbinary middle schooler Ave must put down new roots after a move to the U.S. from their beloved Mexicali home. Through an affirming and memorable cast, tender plot, and vibrant illustrations, themes of language, location, and identity are presented with subtlety, inviting readers to question borders and binaries with complexity and care.

One Stonewall Book Award — Young Adult Award Book was named: “One of the Boys.”

When Grace Woodhouse rejoins her high school football team after publicly transitioning, she is thrust into a spotlight she has no desire to fill. With powerful prose and vivid characters, this story does not flinch from the realities faced by contemporary queer and transgender athletes but simultaneously radiates the joy of team sports and community solidarity.

Eight Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Award Honor Books were named: 

“Call Me Gray,” written by Andrew Larsen and Bells Larsen, illustrated by Tallulah Fontaine and published by Kids Can Press Ltd.

“The Ink Witch,” written by Steph Cherrywell and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

“Ollie in Between,” written by Jess Callans and published by Feiwel and Friends, an imprint of Macmillan Publishing Group.

“Woods & Words: The Story of Poet Mary Oliver,” written by Sara Holly Ackerman illustrated by Naoko Stoop and published by Beach Lane Books, an imprint of Simon & Schuster Children’s Publishing.

“Devils Like Us,” written by L.T. Thompson and published by Bloomsbury YA, an imprint of Bloomsbury Publishing.

“He’s So Possessed with Me,” written by Corey Liu and published by Little, Brown and Company, a division of Hachette Book Group, Inc.

“Hick: The Trailblazing Journalist Who Captured Eleanor Roosevelt’s Heart,” written by Sarah Miller and published by Random House Studio, an imprint of Random House Children’s Books, a division of Penguin Random House.

“Sometimes the Girl,” written by Jennifer Mason-Black and published by Carolrhoda Lab, an imprint of Lerner Publishing Group, Inc.

The members of the 2026 Stonewall Book Awards - Children’s and Young Adult Committee are: Co-Chair Elisa Gall, University of Chicago Laboratory Schools; Co-Chair Charlie Roos, Santa Clara County Library District, California; Lindsey Helfrich, Sacramento Public Library, California; Dr. E Hogan, Mental Health America of Northern Kentucky & Southwest Ohio; Kelly Jones,  New Orleans Public Library, Louisiana; Jessica Jupitus, Tempe Public Library, Arizona; Amy Lilien - Harper, Wilton Library Association, Connecticut; Jenna Loise, Duke School, Durham, North Carolina; Amanda Melilli, University of Nevada, Las Vegas; Amy R. Ojserkis, Atlantic County Institute of Technology, Mays Landing, New Jersey; Alexander Rosewood, Contra Costa Community College District, California; Angie Rundle, St. Louis County Library, Missouri; Dr. Kevin M. Washburn, University of Maryland; and Hanna H. White, FVRLibraries, Vancouver, Washington. 

About the American Library Association 

The American Library Association is the largest non-partisan, nonprofit organization dedicated to America’s libraries. The ALA mission is to empower and advocate for all libraries and library workers to ensure equitable access to information for all. For 150 years, ALA has provided resources for information professionals to transform their communities through essential programs and services. For more information, visit www.ala.org.

About the Rainbow Round Table 

The Rainbow Round Table (RRT) – formerly known as the GLBTRT – of the American Library Association is the oldest professional association for LGBTQIA+ people in the United States. It is committed to serving the information needs of the LGBTQIA+ professional library community and information and access needs of individuals at large. It is home to multiple programs including the Stonewall Book Award, the first award honoring LGBTQIA+ books. The Rainbow Round Table is committed to encouraging and supporting the free and necessary access to all information, as reflected by the missions of the American Library Association and democratic institutions. 

For information on the Stonewall Book Awards – Mike Morgan and Larry Romans Children’s and Young Adult Literature Award and other ALA Youth Media Awards, please visitwww.ala.org/yma.  

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