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New wave of bills targeting libraries is ‘a threat to our democracy,’ American Library Association warns

The association, founded in 1876, condemned legislation that would threaten librarians and other educators with criminal prosecution for possessing “obscene” material.
 

 

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Candace Fleming wins 2026 Children’s Literature Legacy Award

CHICAGO — Candace Fleming is the winner of the 2026 Children's Literature Legacy Award honoring an author or illustrator, published in the United States, whose books have made a significant and lasting contribution to literature for children. Her numerous...

WeatherHunters, Inc. and Silver Creek Falls Entertainment win Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award for ‘Weather Hunters’

Producers WeatherHunters, Inc. and Silver Creek Falls Entertainment, Inc. are the 2026 recipients of the Excellence in Early Learning Digital Media Award for “Weather Hunters.” The award was announced today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA’s Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.

Sara Andrea Fajardo, Juana Martinez-Neal win 2026 Sibert Medal

Sara Andrea Fajardo and Juana Martinez-Neal, author and illustrator of “Alberto Salas Plays Paka Paka con la Papa,” were named the winners of the 2026 Robert F. Sibert Medal for the most distinguished informational book for children published in 2025.

Kwame Alexander to deliver 2027 Children’s Literature Lecture

Author Kwame Alexander will deliver the 2027 Children’s Literature Lecture. The announcement was made today by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA’s Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.

Abraham Matias, Lupe Ruiz-Flores y Vanessa L. Torres  ganan premios Pura Belpré

Abraham Matias, ilustrador de "Popo the Xolo"; Lupe Ruiz-Flores, autora de "The Pecan Sheller"; y Vanessa L. Torres, autora de "On the Wings of la Noche", fueron seleccionados como los ganadores de la edición 2026 del Premio Pura Belpré de Ilustración; al Autor de Libros Infantiles; y al Autor de Libros para Jóvenes Adultos, respectivamente.

Abraham Matias, Lupe Ruiz-Flores and Vanessa L. Torres Win Pura Belpré Awards

Abraham Matias, illustrator of “Popo the Xolo,” Lupe Ruiz-Flores, author of "The Pecan Sheller," and Vanessa L. Torres, author of “On the Wings of la Noche,” are the 2026 recipients of the Pura Belpré Youth Illustrator Award, Children’s Author Award, and Young Adult Author Award.

2026 Odyssey Awards for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Children and Young Adults announced

Live Oak Media, producer of the audiobook “Clack, Clack! Smack! A Cherokee Stickball Story,” has won the 2026 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Children. Listening Library, an imprint of the Penguin Random House Audio Publishing Group, producer of the audiobook “Trans History: From Ancient Times to the Present Day,” has won the 2026 Odyssey Award for Excellence in Audiobook Production for Young Adults. The awards were announced today during the American Library Association’s (ALA) Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.

‘Legendary Frybread Drive-In' wins 2026 Printz Award

“Legendary Frybread Drive-In: Intertribal Stories,” edited by Cynthia Leitich Smith, written by the editor and 16 others, and published by Heartdrum, an imprint of HarperCollins Publishers, has won the 2026 Michael L. Printz Award for Excellence in Young Adult Literature. The award was announced today by the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), during the ALA’s Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.

‘Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown’ wins 2026 Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award

“Death in the Jungle: Murder, Betrayal, and the Lost Dream of Jonestown,” written by Candace Fleming, has been named the 2026 winner of the YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction for Young Adults Award, the first national award that honors the best nonfiction books for teens.

‘All the Noise at Once’ wins 2026 William C. Morris Award

"All the Noise at Once,” written by DeAndra Davis, has been named the 2026 winner of the William C. Morris YA Debut Award, which honors a book published by a first-time author.

Candace Fleming wins 2026 Edwards Award

Candace Fleming is the recipient of the 2026 Margaret A. Edwards Award, honoring her significant and lasting contribution to writing for teens. The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), announced the award today during the ALA’s Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.

YALSA announces 2026 Alex Awards

The Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA), a division of the American Library Association (ALA), has selected 10 adult books with special appeal to teen readers to receive the 2026 Alex Awards. The awards, sponsored by the Margaret A. Edwards Trust, were announced today during the ALA’s Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.

Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes, R. Gregory Christie win 2026 Coretta Scott King Book Awards

Dr. Jewell Parker Rhodes, author of “Will’s Race for Home,” and R. Gregory Christie, illustrator of “The Library in the Woods,” are the winners of the 2026 Coretta Scott King Book Awards honoring African American authors and illustrators of outstanding books for children and young adults. Arriel Vinson, author of “Under the Neon Lights,” is the Coretta Scott King/John Steptoe New Talent Award winner.

Kadir Nelson 2026 recipient of the Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement

Kadir Nelson is the recipient of the 2026 Coretta Scott King-Virginia Hamilton Award for Lifetime Achievement. The award was announced today during the American Library Association’s Youth Media Awards Announcements in Chicago.

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

“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.